If you are still spending five minutes at the end of every post researching the perfect LinkedIn hashtags, you are wasting your energy. In 2026, the ‘blue labels’ at the bottom of your post have effectively become decorative rather than functional.
Why LinkedIn Hashtags No Longer Drive Organic Reach
LinkedIn’s algorithm has evolved significantly.
It no longer needs hashtags as signals of what your content is about, it can read your post and understand it.
The algorithm now decides in real-time what your content is about and who it’s relevant for, without needing you to label it with hashtags.
What the Algorithm Prioritizes Over LinkedIn Hashtags
- How quickly your post gets engagement (likes, comments, shares)
- Who engages with your content and how their networks interact with it
- The quality and relevance of your content to your audience
A brilliant post with no hashtags will massively outperform a mediocre post stuffed with hashtags every single time.
Forget about hashtags and focus on these things instead: Write engaging content and spark conversation. A solid LinkedIn engagement strategy built on building relationships and active participation will move the needle far more than any hashtag ever could.
But Everyone Uses Them?
Yes, and most people are wasting their time.
It’s a hangover from when hashtags were more prominent on social platforms, and from advice that’s now outdated.
People keep doing it because they see others doing it, not because it actually works. As Speedwork Social’s 2026 LinkedIn update points out, the platform has pivoted toward SEO and intent-based discovery, meaning the algorithm now scans the keywords in your copy rather than relying on hashtags to categorize your reach.
Stop Using LinkedIn Hashtags and Start Using Keywords
If you want your LinkedIn posts to perform well, forget about hashtags and focus on these things instead:
Write engaging content – Posts that make people stop scrolling, think, laugh, or want to comment will always win.
Spark conversation – Ask questions, share insights, tell stories. Content that generates comments gets pushed to more people.
Post consistently – Regular posting keeps you visible and builds momentum with the algorithm.
Engage with others – Comment on other people’s posts. Build relationships. LinkedIn rewards active participation.
Final Thought
Stop worrying about hashtags. They don’t move the needle.
Spend that energy writing content people actually care about, starting real conversations, and showing up consistently. That’s what gets results on LinkedIn.