Hashtags

The latest news about Hashtags and your Author’s To Do List.

This week build a list of key words that can be used on your social media posts, but be aware that the effectiveness of #hashtags has changed and there may be consequences for your post’s visibility.

Hashtags Defined

“Hashtags are keywords or phrases preceded by the hash symbol (#) used on social media to categorize content and make it easier to find.” It’s like putting similar, related posts together in one file drawer.

In December of 2024 Instagram altered the way hashtags impact the algorithms. This change created a notable loss of post engagement for me. An author friend had shared the time-saving tip of listing important hashtags into the Notes section of my iPhone. A simple copy and paste allowed me to add the maximum thirty hashtag subjects for each post. I think this trick helped propel the content, and you have to admit, some can be clever and funny.

I also followed a few favorite hashtags. Instagram removed this option to reduce spam, or the ‘hashtag stuffing’ problem. You can still use hashtags in your posts, but you cannot follow specific ones that may be of interest to you. The more hashtags you use, the more likely it will be targeted as junk posts and dilute the reach.

The Tweet that Changed Everything

At the first of 2025 the CEO of X (formerly Twitter) all but ended the hashtag when he tweeted: “Please stop using hashtags. The system doesn’t need them anymore and they look ugly.”

The good news is that hashtags are not completely dead. Yet. They are still effective on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram Reels or Stories. You can also use them sparingly on Instagram and LinkedIn. Instead of the maximum number, the new strategy is to narrow the focus and avoid “over-saturation”.

The 3×3 Rule

The 3×3 rule targets popularity by emphasizing three elements. Engage your target audience, describe your product or the service you provide, and offer an outcome or solution. The 3 hashtag strategy can also be interpreted as applying up to three hashtags each element: your target audience, three hashtags for the product and three take aways or solutions, which would be nine hashtags in all.

Building A List of Key Words

Keeping a list of key words can be used for all of your book promotions. Sometimes, I build the list as I write, particularly for historical fiction which can touch upon so many different topics. I confess that I’m not that organized at first. My list might consist of a row of sticky notes on the edge of the bulletin board.

For my writing process, every book or project has a notebook. I flip to the back and start jotting down keywords or themes as they come to me. This list will prove invaluable in many ways:

• Brainstorm as you write and build a list of key words that describes or relates to your target readers, your product’s theme (place, time period, trope), and your author brand.
• As you write the backcover text, incorporate your keywords within the content.
• Use these keywords in your author bio.
• If you plan to upload your book to a publishing platform, this list will help you determined BISAC (Book Industry Subject Codes).
• Your book title can become a hashtag
• The consistent use of keywords can improve you SEO (search engine optimization)

Happy hash-tagging, but don’t overdo it.

For more information, here are a few links to other articles:

Hashtag #DOs and #DON’Ts

Hashtags (2025 Update)

Natalie Cline Bright is a blogger, speaker, writing instructor, and author of over 20 books for kids and adults.