That’s what a client told me recently. And honestly, fair point.

On LinkedIn, hashtags have been abused into oblivion. You’ve seen it — the #Success #MotivationMonday #HappyFriday posts that read like someone shook a bag of buzzwords over the keyboard. No wonder people either overdo them or avoid them entirely.

The truth is, hashtags still work. They help people find your content, even if they’ve never heard of you. For smaller businesses trying to break through the noise, that’s not something to ignore.

Let’s talk about what hashtags actually do, why they still matter, and how to use them without looking like you just discovered Instagram in 2014.

The Problem with Hashtags on LinkedIn

Hashtags got a bad name because they’ve been used badly.
Too many, too vague, or just plain irrelevant. Some people think the algorithm is so smart now that hashtags don’t matter anymore. Others dump a laundry list at the end of every post and hope one sticks.

Both approaches miss the point. Hashtags are not magic — but they’re not useless either.

Why Hashtags Still Matter

If you know how to use them, hashtags still play a role in getting your content in front of more of the right people. Here’s why:

1. Discovery: People follow hashtags, not just people. If someone follows #CyberSecurity and you post with that tag, your content can land in their feed even if they don’t follow you.

2. Context: Hashtags help LinkedIn understand what your post is about, so it can serve it to people who’ve shown interest in similar topics.

3. Searchability: Hashtags make your posts findable weeks (or even months) after you publish them.

4. Momentum for smaller accounts: Without a big audience, hashtags give you more entry points into relevant conversations.

How to Use Hashtags Without the Cringe

Stick to 2–3 per post. Too many looks spammy.

1. Blend broad and niche. For example, pair #Marketing with #B2BLawMarketing.

2. Skip the ultra-generic fluff. #Success and #MotivationMonday won’t help you reach the right people.

3. Check before you post. Click the hashtag to make sure it’s active, has recent posts, and features content you’d want to be associated with.

4. Switch it up. Don’t use the exact same set every time — it signals laziness and can limit your reach.

Example Hashtag Sets

Small Law Firm (B2B)

• #BusinessLaw

• #PrivateEquity

• #MergersAndAcquisitions

Boutique Marketing Agency

• #B2BMarketing

• #LinkedInStrategy

• #ProfessionalServices

Cybersecurity Consulting

• #CyberSecurity

• #DataPrivacy

• #RiskManagement

The Bottom Line

Hashtags won’t rescue weak content, but they can help strong content go further. Think of them as a networking event name tag — not glamorous, but they make it easier for people to know who you are and what you’re about.

If you’re a smaller business trying to get noticed, the “cringe” factor is worth tolerating. Just skip the buzzword pile-up and use them like a pro.