Why Your Hashtags Aren’t Working and What to Do Instead

#stopusinghashtagswrongWe are bringing the heat—and a few cheesy dad jokes—as they break down one of the hottestly debated topics in social media marketing: hashtags. Are hashtags dead? Do they actually work on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn? Or are we all just using them the wrong way?We tackle some common myths floating around LinkedIn (and beyond), and share exactly why hashtags still matter when it comes to discoverability, categorization, and making your content easier to find—especially for small businesses and marketers. We’ll walk you through common hashtag mistakes (looking at you, ChatGPT-generated nonsense), how to pick the right level of niche, the value of branded hashtags, and why stuffing your caption with 30 irrelevant hashtags isn’t helping anyone. Plus, they get real about what happens when you try to trick the algorithm with trending but unrelated tags (spoiler: your audience won’t be happy).Whether you’re hashtag-clueless or looking to sharpen your strategy, this episode serves up practical, up-to-the-minute advice with plenty of laughs sprinkled in. Hot Moments00:00 Hashtags Boost Social Media Visibility04:33 Optimize Local Discoverability07:41 TikTok's Engagement Schemes11:25 Targeted Hashtags for Marketing Success15:14 Misleading Hashtags Confuse Users17:05 Maximize User-Generated Content Benefits20:46 Backpack Mystery: No Books?Here are 3 key takeaways to help you get it right:Don’t Go Hashtag Happy: Using a mountain of hashtags, especially irrelevant ones, doesn’t mean more reach. It confuses the algorithm and turns off your audience. Instead, aim for 3-5 relevant hashtags on Instagram and select ones that directly connect to your content and audience.Niche, But Not Too Niche: Think Goldilocks when choosing hashtags: not too broad, not too specific. Pair big ones (like #marketing) with more tailored hashtags (like #SmallBusinessMarketing or a location tag) to get the best of both worlds—visibility and relevancy.Branded Hashtags = Community Power: Creating and promoting your own branded hashtag can spark User Generated Content (UGC) and help you collect all event or brand-related posts in one place. BUT, a branded hashtag won’t happen unless you promote and use it consistently.Stay in touch and get the latest updates by following us on:Instagram: @myrebelmarketingLinkedInYouTubeFacebookRebel MarketingThe Rebel HourJoin us for a live, no-fluff strategy session where you can ask real questions, get real answers, and finally fix what’s not working with your marketing. Whether you’re stuck on content, confused by SEO, or spiraling over your site, this is your space to vent, troubleshoot, and walk away with the next steps you can actually use.Submit your question ahead of time or grab the mic live. It’s bold, it’s unscripted, and it’s built for small businesses ready to grow.Copyright 2026 Rebel Marketing