How to Find Trending Hashtags on LinkedIn: The Definitive Guide

Finding the right hashtags on LinkedIn can be the difference between your content disappearing into the digital ether and igniting a wildfire of engagement. Forget chasing fleeting trends – we’re talking about strategically identifying hashtags that amplify your voice, connect you with the right audience, and boost your professional brand. So, how do you do it?

The most straightforward way to find trending hashtags on LinkedIn is to observe and analyze. There isn’t a dedicated “trending hashtags” dashboard within LinkedIn itself. Instead, you need to become a savvy social listener, focusing on these key areas:

• Pay Attention to LinkedIn’s Suggestions: As you start typing a hashtag in your post or comments, LinkedIn will suggest related hashtags and, crucially, show you the number of followers each hashtag has. This is a real-time indicator of a hashtag’s popularity and relevance.

• Analyze Your Competitors and Industry Leaders: What hashtags are they consistently using? Which posts are performing well? Mimicry isn’t the goal, but analyzing their hashtag strategy provides valuable insights.

• Engage in Relevant Groups and Communities: Active LinkedIn Groups are hotbeds for trending discussions and, consequently, trending hashtags. Monitor the conversations and identify the recurring themes and the hashtags used to categorize them.

• Use Third-Party Tools for Social Listening: Several tools, such as Brandwatch, Hootsuite, and Sprout Social, offer more advanced social listening capabilities. These tools can track hashtag usage across LinkedIn and other platforms, providing a comprehensive view of trending topics.

• Leverage LinkedIn Analytics: While not directly showcasing “trending” hashtags globally, your own LinkedIn analytics can reveal which hashtags in your past posts drove the most engagement. This data is gold – it tells you what resonates with your audience.

• Stay Updated on Industry News and Events: Major industry events and breaking news often generate specific, short-lived trending hashtags. Be ready to identify and utilize these opportunities to add your voice to the conversation.

• Experiment and Track Results: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different hashtags. Track the performance of your posts using LinkedIn’s analytics to see which combinations drive the best results.

Essentially, finding trending hashtags on LinkedIn is less about a magic bullet and more about continuous observation, analysis, and strategic application. Now, let’s dive into some frequently asked questions to further refine your hashtag hunting skills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About LinkedIn Hashtags

1. How often should I change my hashtag strategy on LinkedIn?

Your hashtag strategy should be a living document, reviewed and adjusted at least quarterly. The LinkedIn landscape is constantly evolving, and your strategy needs to adapt to new trends, algorithm updates, and changes in your target audience’s interests. Also, analyze your post performance monthly to identify winning and losing hashtags.

2. What is the ideal number of hashtags to use in a LinkedIn post?

While there’s no hard and fast rule, the consensus leans towards 3-5 highly relevant hashtags. Quality trumps quantity. Overloading your post with irrelevant hashtags can dilute your message and even be perceived as spammy. Focus on hashtags that accurately reflect your content and resonate with your target audience.

3. Should I use broad or niche hashtags on LinkedIn?

The ideal approach is a blend of both. Broad hashtags like #marketing or #leadership increase visibility, while niche hashtags like #digitalmarketingstrategy or #transformationalleadership target a more specific audience. This combination maximizes your reach and ensures your content reaches the right people.

4. Can using the wrong hashtags negatively impact my LinkedIn profile?

Yes, absolutely. Irrelevant, overly generic, or spammy hashtags can hurt your credibility and make your profile look less professional. It’s crucial to select hashtags that genuinely align with your content and target audience. Avoid using hashtags simply because they are trending if they don’t fit.

5. Are LinkedIn hashtags case-sensitive?

No, LinkedIn hashtags are not case-sensitive. #Marketing and #marketing are treated the same. However, using CamelCase (e.g., #DigitalMarketing) can improve readability.

6. How can I find location-specific trending hashtags on LinkedIn?

While LinkedIn doesn’t have a dedicated feature for location-based trending hashtags, you can identify them by:

• Monitoring local LinkedIn Groups and communities.
• Following local influencers and thought leaders.
• Searching for industry-specific keywords combined with location-based terms (e.g., “marketing” + “London”).
• Paying attention to local news and events and the hashtags associated with them.

7. What are some examples of industry-specific hashtag strategies?

Let’s look at some examples:

• Marketing: #DigitalMarketing, #SocialMediaMarketing, #ContentMarketing, #SEO, #MarketingStrategy
• Technology: #AI, #MachineLearning, #CloudComputing, #Cybersecurity, #Innovation
• Human Resources: #HR, #HumanResources, #TalentAcquisition, #EmployeeEngagement, #LeadershipDevelopment
• Finance: #Finance, #Investment, #FinTech, #Accounting, #FinancialPlanning

Remember to tailor these to your specific niche within each industry.

8. How important is it to create my own branded hashtag on LinkedIn?

Creating a branded hashtag can be incredibly valuable for building a community around your brand, tracking conversations related to your company, and promoting specific campaigns. Encourage your employees and followers to use it consistently.

9. How do I track the performance of my hashtags on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn Analytics provides data on impressions, clicks, and engagement for each of your posts. Analyze this data to see which hashtags drove the most visibility and engagement. You can also use third-party social media analytics tools for more comprehensive tracking.

10. What is the difference between following a hashtag and using it in a post?

Following a hashtag means you’ll see posts that use that hashtag in your LinkedIn feed, allowing you to stay updated on relevant topics. Using a hashtag in a post is how you make your content discoverable to others who are following or searching for that hashtag.

11. Can I use emojis in LinkedIn hashtags?

No, emojis are not supported in LinkedIn hashtags. The hashtag will stop at the emoji character.

12. What’s the future of hashtags on LinkedIn, and how should I prepare?

The future of hashtags on LinkedIn, like on other social media platforms, is likely to become more sophisticated, potentially incorporating AI-driven suggestions and more precise targeting capabilities. To prepare, stay informed about LinkedIn algorithm updates, experiment with new hashtag strategies, and continuously analyze your results. Focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your target audience, and let your hashtags serve as a vehicle for reaching them. Keep experimenting and adapting; the only constant in social media is change!