Are Hashtags Still Relevant in 2025?

In the ever-changing world of social media, staying on top of trends is crucial to keeping your brand relevant. At a recent event, we were asked a very interesting question: "Are hashtags still relevant in social media?"

Hashtags have been an essential part of social media strategies for years, but with platform algorithms constantly evolving, it’s time to pause and ask: Are they still as important in 2025?

At Thrive Marketing, we’re always on the lookout for the latest developments in digital marketing, and we believe hashtags continue to play a key role in the right strategy. Here, Emer Cawley, our Social Media Expert and Content Creator, dives into the main purpose of hashtags and assesses whether they still have a place in today’s social media landscape.

The Role of Hashtags in Social Media Marketing

Hashtags were originally created to help people find relevant content. On platforms like Twitter and Instagram, using hashtags allowed users to easily search for topics of interest. For brands, this meant the chance to reach a broader audience beyond just their immediate followers.

Over the years, hashtags became more than just a search tool. They became integral to brand campaigns, increasing discoverability and engagement. At Thrive Marketing, you’ll see us using hashtags like #DigitalMarketingIreland, #ContentCreation, and #ThriveTips to ensure our posts reach the right people, whether that’s businesses in Dublin or people seeking social media advice.

The Evolving Role of Algorithms

With the rise of more sophisticated algorithms, social media platforms now prioritise content that’s engaging, timely, and relevant. Instagram, for example, takes into account a user’s interests, behaviour, and engagement rather than just focusing on the hashtags used. This shift has made it less about throwing in a bunch of trending tags and more about crafting content that resonates with your audience.

That said, hashtags still serve a valuable purpose. They remain a key tool for helping your posts appear in the right conversations. If you take a look at our feed at Thrive Marketing, we use hashtags not just for discoverability but also to show we’re part of specific conversations in the marketing and business communities.

Why Are Hashtags Important in 2025?

While hashtags may not have the same impact they once did, they still serve several important purposes in marketing:

Discoverability: Hashtags help content reach a wider audience beyond just your followers. For instance, if you’re a business owner in Ireland, using a hashtag like #IrishMarketingTips or #SEOforSmallBusiness makes your posts discoverable to people specifically interested in those topics.

Building Brand Communities: Hashtags like #ThriveTips allow us to create a space for people who are interested in our expertise in digital marketing. By encouraging your audience to use your branded hashtags, you can build a community around your content.

Engagement with Trending Topics: Hashtags allow brands to engage with real-time trends. Whether it’s #SocialMediaTrends2025 or #MarketingMonday, jumping on relevant hashtags helps your brand stay timely and relevant.

Categorisation of Content: Hashtags are still essential for categorising your content. They help users identify what your post is about at a glance. This can be particularly helpful when you’re targeting niche audiences, like using #ContentMarketingTips or #SEOforBeginners.

Our Top Tips for Using Hashtags Effectively in 2025

If you’re still incorporating hashtags into your strategy, here are our best tips for using them effectively:

Quality Over Quantity: Gone are the days of using 30 hashtags per post. Focus on using 5-10 highly relevant hashtags that will reach your ideal audience. The key is ensuring each hashtag has a purpose.

Use Niche Hashtags: Broad hashtags like #Love or #Foodie are often too saturated to make a meaningful impact. Instead, go for more specific hashtags that align with your niche. If you’re a digital marketing agency, hashtags like #DigitalMarketingTips or #MarketingStrategyIreland will help connect you with the right crowd.

Branded Hashtags: Creating a unique branded hashtag is a great way to promote your campaigns and encourage user-generated content. At Thrive Marketing, we use hashtags like #ThriveTips and #ThriveMarketing to encourage people to engage with our content and share their own marketing success stories.

Stay Relevant: It’s essential to keep your hashtags relevant to your content and your audience. Trends change fast, so jump on trending hashtags when they’re aligned with your brand. Use tools like Google Trends or social listening platforms to keep track of popular, industry-specific hashtags.

Mix Up Your Hashtags: Don’t use the same set of hashtags for every post. Try mixing things up by testing different hashtags to see which ones get the most engagement. Use a combination of broad, niche, and location-based hashtags to widen your reach.

The Bottom Line: Are Hashtags Still Relevant?

The short answer is yes – hashtags are still very relevant in 2025. While their role may not be as powerful as it once was, they remain an important tool for increasing visibility, building brand communities, and engaging with trends. However, their effectiveness depends on how well they are used in conjunction with other elements of your content strategy, such as engagement, timing, and quality content.

At Thrive Marketing, we know how to use hashtags strategically. Whether it's helping your business become discoverable in Ireland with hashtags like #MarketingIreland or #DigitalGrowth, or using niche tags to connect with specific communities, we can craft a hashtag strategy that works for you.

Ready to Level Up Your Social Media Strategy?

Hashtags may be just one piece of the puzzle, but when used effectively, they can make a significant difference. If you’re looking to refine your social media strategy and make sure you’re using hashtags to their full potential, Thrive Marketing is here to help. Check out our Instagram at @ThriveMarketingIreland for more tips, insights, and inspiration, or get in touch with us at hello@thrivemarketing.ie!