How to Use Hashtags for Business (What Actually Works)
Most businesses use hashtags wrong — either too many, too broad, or irrelevant. Here's how to use them to actually get discovered.
2 min read · Updated 2026-04-15
Short answer
Use 3–5 targeted, niche hashtags per post. Mix popular hashtags (100k–1M uses) with niche ones (10k–100k uses). Skip the mega hashtags like #love or #business — your post gets buried in seconds.
How hashtags work
Hashtags categorize your content so people who follow or search that tag can find your post. On Instagram and TikTok, they also help the algorithm understand what your content is about.
Hashtag strategy by platform
- How many: 3–10 (used to be 30, algorithm changed)
- Type: Mix of niche + industry specific
- Where: Caption or first comment
- Example for a bakery:
#sourdoughbread #austinbakery #smallbakery #homemadebread
TikTok
- How many: 3–5
- Always use:
#fypor#foryoupage(signals to algorithm) - Add: 2–3 niche ones relevant to your content
- Example:
#fyp #smallbusiness #candlemaking #handmadecandles
- How many: 3–5
- Type: Professional, industry-specific
- Example:
#marketing #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship
X (Twitter)
- How many: 1–2 max
- Use trending hashtags when relevant to join conversations
- Overuse looks spammy
- Hashtags have minimal impact on Facebook
- Skip them unless they're branded
How to find good hashtags
- Search your main keyword on Instagram/TikTok — see what related hashtags appear
- Check competitor posts — see which tags they use
- Use Instagram's "Related hashtags" — when you search a hashtag, it shows similar ones
- Tools: Flick, Hashtagify, or just Explore tab research
Size guide: which hashtags to use
| Size | Instagram post count | When to use | |------|---------------------|-------------| | Mega | 10M+ (e.g. #food) | Avoid — buried instantly | | Large | 1M–10M | Rarely | | Medium | 100k–1M | Mix in 1–2 | | Niche | 10k–100k | Main targets | | Micro | 1k–10k | Always include some |
Branded hashtags
Create your own hashtag (#YourBusinessName or #YourCampaign). Encourage customers to use it when sharing photos. Builds community and user-generated content over time.