The Do’s and Don’ts of Hashtag Usage on TikTok, Instagram & Facebook (For Hospitality & Retail Brands)

Let’s be real — hashtags can be the secret sauce or the reason your post flops. If you're a hospitality or retail business in Yorkshire trying to grow on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook, this is your no-BS cheat sheet to hashtag success.

The Do’s (aka How to Not Flop)

1. Use 1–3 Hashtags That Actually Make Sense

Instagram’s already told us: 3-5 MAX. Quality > quantity. Use hashtags that describe your content, your vibe, and your people.

Try: #LeedsCoffeeShops, #YorkshireEats, #SheffieldBrunch

2. Think Local, Always

Global reach is cute, but local followers are the ones who actually book tables and buy stuff.

Try: #YorkIndieShops, #SheffieldNightsOut, #HuddersfieldMarkets

3. Use Hashtags to Match Your Brand Voice

Hashtags are the perfect place to be cheeky, on-brand, and totally you. Don’t be afraid to have fun with them.

Example: #CarbsAndChaos, #WeekendWaffleClub

4. Rotate Your Hashtags

Don’t repeat the same tag combo every day — keep it fresh so the algorithm doesn’t ghost you.

Pro tip: Create 3–4 hashtag sets and mix it up based on the post vibe.

5. Use Facebook Hashtags Sparingly

FB isn’t Insta. One or two well-placed tags are fine. More than that? Kinda cringe.

Keep it simple: location tag + one niche tag, max.

The Don’ts (aka What’s Killing Your Reach)

1. Spamming With 30 Hashtags Like It’s 2016

It’s not helping. It’s hurting. Chill with the overkill and get intentional.

2. Using Banned or Weirdly Spammy Tags

Using flagged or banned hashtags = instant invisibility. Yes, that means NO ONE sees your post.

🚫 Avoid: #LikeForLike, #InstaFoodieLoverExtreme, or any hashtag that screams "trying too hard."

3. Going Generic Instead of Targeted

Hashtags like #food, #fun, #yummy are so vague the algorithm doesn’t even blink. Be specific or go home.

4. Copy-Pasting the Same Tags Every Time

Lazy tagging = lazy reach. The algorithm clocks it. Your followers do too. Don’t be that brand.

5. Overdoing It on Facebook (Seriously)

We’ll say it again: Facebook is not the place to go hashtag wild. 1–2 max. That’s the vibe.

Hashtags aren’t dead — but the way you use them needs a glow-up. If you're in hospitality or retail, the hashtag game can actually work for you — if you play it smart, fun, and a little local.

👉 Want more cheeky tips like this? Sign up to the Trendyn newsletter for weekly marketing inspo — or grab a one-off social media audit and let us spill the tea on what’s working (and what’s not) on your feed.

Let’s fix your hashtags and expand your reach at the same time. Cool? Cool.