How to use #hashtags

How to Use Hashtags in Your Marketing Strategy to Boost Local SEO

When it comes to marketing your business, especially in the beauty industry, the right hashtags can make all the difference. Hashtags help categorize your content, making it more discoverable on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. But did you know they can also support your SEO efforts when people search for your services locally? Here’s how to use hashtags strategically to boost your visibility online.

1. Know Your Audience and Location

The first step to choosing the right hashtags is understanding your target audience and location. You want to attract potential customers in your area who are actively searching for the services you offer. For example, if you own a nail salon in Dublin, hashtags like #DublinNails, #DublinBeauty, or #NailSalonDublin can help potential customers find you.

By using location-based hashtags, you’ll increase your chances of appearing in local searches, improving both your reach and SEO.

2. Research Hashtags Relevant to Your Industry

Look at what hashtags your competitors are using and do some research on which ones are trending in your industry. In the beauty industry, terms like #NailsOfInstagram, #LashExtensions, or #BrowGoals are commonly used. But don’t stop at generic hashtags. Add more specific, niche terms that reflect your unique services, like #HDBrows or #VeganLashes, to target a more specific audience.

Combining general beauty hashtags with localized tags (#DublinBrows) creates a strong foundation for both broad and local reach.

 3. *Use Hashtags to Support Your SEO

When people use Google to search for services like “nail salon in [your location],” they are using keywords that could lead them to your social media profiles if you’ve used similar hashtags consistently. While hashtags themselves aren’t directly crawled by Google, social media profiles are. The keywords used in your hashtags can boost your SEO if they align with what people are searching for.

If your hashtags include terms that reflect how people might search on Google (#MicrobladingDublin, #AestheticsClondalkin), you’re creating more touchpoints where your content could be discovered, leading potential customers to your business.

 4. Mix Popular and Niche Hashtags

While it’s tempting to use the most popular hashtags, it’s important to strike a balance between broad and niche tags. Popular hashtags (#Beauty, #Skincare) can reach a wide audience, but your content might get lost quickly due to the high volume of posts.

Niche hashtags, on the other hand, like #FacialDublin or #BeautyAcademyIreland, might not have as many posts but are more likely to attract the right audience—people in your area who are looking for the exact service you provide. By mixing both, you increase your chances of being seen by both a general and targeted audience.

 5. Track and Adapt Your Hashtag Strategy

The key to a successful hashtag strategy is tracking what works and adjusting as needed. Take note of which posts generate the most engagement and examine the hashtags used. There are tools like Hashtagify or Instagram Insights that allow you to track the performance of your hashtags over time.

If you notice certain hashtags are consistently leading to more clicks or local inquiries, double down on those. Don’t be afraid to experiment by adding new hashtags or retiring ones that no longer seem to be performing.

6. Leverage Community and Event Hashtags

Using community or event-specific hashtags can help you tap into local conversations and trends. For example, if there’s a local beauty expo, bridal show, or charity event, make sure you’re using the event’s hashtags in your posts. Participating in these local conversations can introduce your business to a whole new audience.

Some examples might be #DublinBeautyExpo or #TallaghtBridalFair, which not only make you part of the buzz but also increase your local SEO when people look up the event or related services.

 7. Don’t Overdo It

While hashtags are powerful, you don’t want to overwhelm your audience by overloading your posts. Stick to 10-15 relevant and well-researched hashtags per post. Going beyond this can make your content seem spammy and may even have a negative effect on engagement.

Focus on using hashtags that are a good mix of location, services, and trending topics.


Hashtags are not just for social media visibility; they can play a key role in your local SEO strategy. By using a combination of location-based, industry-specific, and niche hashtags, you can increase the chances of being found by potential customers when they search for services you offer in your area.

Remember, the goal is to make it easy for your audience to find you both on social media and when they turn to Google. With the right hashtag strategy, you’ll not only boost engagement on your posts but also improve your local SEO and attract more clients to your business.

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