As a business owner, you’re likely feeling the pressure to grow your social media presence, but creating content can often feel like shouting into the void. In my 17 years running SocialNicole, I’ve tested countless strategies to help content stand out and get results, including using hashtags. While they’re nothing new, hashtags are still one of the most effective ways to organically boost discoverability, engagement, and reach on social media platforms.
That being said, hashtag use is constantly evolving, and in 2025, you’ve got to know how to use them wisely. Careless use can do more harm than good to your content. From my experience working with small and mid-sized businesses, I’ve seen firsthand how the right hashtag approach can drive real results. Here are my best hashtag strategies for small businesses 2025.
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1. Choose Quality Over Quantity
Hashtags have been around for a while, and once upon a time, the more hashtags you used, the better. But in 2025, platforms prioritize relevant, high-quality hashtags over excessive tagging. So, instead of stuffing your post with 30 random hashtags, focus on a few highly relevant ones. You don’t just want to attract an audience; you want to attract the right audience.
Pro tip: Research hashtags that align with your industry, content, and ideal customer’s interests. Treat them like keywords that will help people find your content.
2. Mix Broad Hashtags with Niche Ones
If you only use broad, popular hashtags like #SmallBusiness or #Marketing, I guarantee your posts will get lost in the flood of content. After all, of the millions of people posting on social media, imagine how many small businesses are trying to get seen the same way you are. On the other hand, if you use only super-niche hashtags like #underwaterbasketweavingclubstlouis, you might not get enough visibility. The best approach? A combination of general, trending hashtags and niche, specific ones.
Pro tip: Using locations is a great way to get specific. For example, if you’re a local bakery, instead of just using #Bakery, mix in #ArtisanBread, #GlutenFreeBaking, and #MinneapolisBaker (if you’re in Minneapolis). This way, you tap into large and smaller, more engaged audiences.
3. Use Platform-Specific Hashtag Strategies
It’s important to remember that not all platforms treat hashtags the same. So here’s a quick recap:
- Instagram: While you can have up to 30 hashtags, you rarely want to use more than 5. Think of hashtags as keywords that describe the substance of your content. And while it used to be popular to include hashtags in the first comment of a post, you’re better off including them in the caption.
- Twitter/X: Even with the rebrand, hashtags are crucial to Twitter/X’s interactions. That said, less is more–stick to 1-2 hashtags per tweet.
- TikTok: Trending hashtags are what matter most for this app. Check the For You Page (#FYP) trends and use a mix of viral and industry-specific hashtags. Use 3-8 hashtags to make sure your captions are still readable.
- LinkedIn: The key here is to keep it professional and relevant (1-5 hashtags per post). Focus on industry terms and topics like #Leadership, #Entrepreneurship, or #SmallBusinessTips.
- Facebook: Hashtags have a lower impact here but can still be helpful. Stick to 1-3 relevant hashtags; otherwise, you risk looking spammy.
- YouTube & Pinterest: Keywords matter more than hashtags, but adding 3-5 relevant ones can help with searchability.
Pro tip: To ensure you don’t look out of place, research your competitors’ activities on different channels and find ways to personalize hashtags to work for your content.
4. Create Your Own Branded Hashtags
Creating a unique, branded hashtag is a great way to facilitate user-generated content that helps people connect over your products and services. If you don’t already have one, create a simple, easy-to-remember hashtag that represents your business. For example, if your business is Tina’s Handmade Jewelry, you might use #TinasJewelryTribe or #WearTinasDesigns.
Pro tip: Encourage customers to use your custom hashtag when they share their purchases or experiences. It’s a good way for customers to connect and free advertising for you.
5. Don’t Forget Hashtags in Your Stories & Reels
In 2025, short-form videos and temporary content such as 24-hour stories will dominate social media. Don’t just use hashtags in feed posts—add them to your Stories, Reels, and TikToks. Many users discover new content through hashtag searches in these formats.
Pro tip: Don’t want to clutter your content? A great way to incorporate hashtags into your Instagram stories is to hide them behind images or stickers or shrink them to smaller sizes. This keeps your visuals clean while still getting those search benefits.
6. Make Sure You’re Following and Engaging with Relevant Hashtags
Hashtags aren’t just for your posts—they’re also for engagement. Strengthen your online community by following relevant hashtags and interacting with posts under them. This helps increase your visibility, grow your network, and build relationships with potential customers and other industry members.
Pro tip: Hashtags are a great way to track free content inspiration. For example, if you’re a personal trainer, follow #HealthyLiving, #HomeWorkouts, or #FitnessForMoms for ideas for your posts. Be sure to comment on posts to engage with your target audience.
7. Follow Trending Hashtags
Trends move fast, and what worked last year might not work today. Stay on top of trending hashtags in your industry and incorporate them into your content when relevant.
A great way to do this is by checking:
- Instagram’s Explore page
- TikTok’s Discover page
- Twitter’s Trending section
- LinkedIn’s Hashtag suggestions
Pro tip: It can be helpful to record which hashtags you’ve used/are currently using in a spreadsheet. Include details like dates used, the number of reach those hashtags had at the time, and how often they were used. Then, update your hashtag tracking sheet periodically to stay current.
8. Monitor Your Hashtag Performance
Though it’s great to try different things and put yourself out there, part of that is knowing that not all hashtags will perform well. Track your analytics to see which ones are driving engagement and reach. Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn offer insights on post-performance, so use that data to refine your strategy.
Pro tip: If a particular hashtag brings in good engagement, keep using it. If not, swap it out for others and experiment!
Final Thoughts
Hashtags have been and remain a powerful tool for small businesses. But they require a strategic approach. By choosing quality over quantity, mixing broad and niche tags, using platform-specific strategies, and monitoring performance, you can maximize your social media reach and attract the right audience with the best hashtag strategies for small businesses 2025.
If you need help creating a social media strategy tailored to your business, SocialNicole is here to help! We specialize in helping small businesses grow with effective digital strategies. Contact us today to learn how we can elevate your social media presence and drive real results.
