10 Common Hashtag Mistakes Creators Make (And What to Do Instead)

Introduction: Why Hashtags Still Matter in 2025

Hashtags aren’t just trend markers. They act as discovery signals that help algorithms understand what your content is about. Platforms use them to categorize videos, push posts into topic feeds, and connect your content with the right audience.

The problem? Most creators use hashtags incorrectly—either too many, too broad, too random, or outdated. Hashtag strategy is now more important than ever because AI-driven ranking systems need clearer metadata to classify your content.

Mistake #1: Using Too Many Hashtags

The days of stuffing 20–30 hashtags under every post are gone. Platforms now consider excessive hashtags as spammy or “low-quality signals.”

Why it hurts:

• Algorithms get confused about your content’s category.
• Posts look spammy to viewers.
• Targeting becomes less accurate, lowering reach.

What to do instead:

• TikTok: Use 3–6 hashtags.
• Instagram: Use 3–8 focused hashtags.
• YouTube: Use 1–3 visible hashtags + your main keyword tags in metadata.

Mistake #2: Only Using Viral or Trending Hashtags

Creators often rely on big hashtags like #fyp, #viral, #trending, and #explorepage. These tags have millions of posts competing for attention, meaning your content disappears instantly.

Better approach:

• Mix trending + niche hashtags.
• Use industry-specific tags to reach people actively interested in your topic.

Mistake #3: Using Irrelevant Hashtags

Many creators add random popular hashtags for reach. But if they don’t match your content, the algorithm triggers “mismatched user intent” — viewers skip fast and your reach dies.

What to do instead:

• Use hashtags that describe your video topic.
• Avoid hijacking unrelated trends.
• Match audience intention with content value.

Mistake #4: Using Overly Broad Hashtags

Tags like #funny, #love, #food, #lifestyle are too general. These hashtags have billions of posts. They don’t bring targeted traffic.

Fix:

Make them more specific:

• #funny → #funnycouplepranks
• #food → #quicklunchrecipes
• #lifestyle → #minimalistmorningroutine

Mistake #5: Copying Competitor Hashtag Lists Blindly

Many creators look at competitors and copy their hashtags word-for-word. But you don’t see their analytics — those hashtags might not even be working.

Better approach:

• Study what actually performs in your niche.
• Use competitor hashtags as inspiration, not a blueprint.
• Generate your own optimized set using RapidTags.app.

Mistake #6: Not Updating Hashtags Over Time

Hashtags evolve. Trends shift weekly. Old hashtags stop working.

What to do weekly:

• Check trending hashtags on TikTok’s Creative Center.
• Refresh your niche list using RapidTags.
• Remove outdated, dead, or irrelevant hashtags.

Mistake #7: Using Hashtags That Are Too Niche

This is the opposite problem. Some creators use ultra-specific hashtags like:

These hashtags have zero audience traffic. So they don’t help.

Fix:

Choose tags with moderate competition — not too big, not too small.

Mistake #8: Ignoring Platform Differences

Each platform uses hashtags differently:

Mistake #9: Not Tracking Hashtag Performance

If you’re not monitoring which hashtags perform, you’re missing huge opportunities. Algorithms reward creators who refine their metadata.

What to track:

• Reach per hashtag group
• Engagement rate
• Watch time
• Click-throughs from hashtag pages

Simple testing plan:

1. Test 3 different hashtag groups each week.
2. Use identical content themes where possible.
3. Identify which group increases reach the most.
4. Make that your default set.

Mistake #10: Not Using Data Tools Like RapidTags.app

Most creators guess their hashtags manually. But data-driven hashtag selection is faster and more accurate.

What RapidTags helps with:

• Automatically discovering relevant hashtags
• Showing contextual and competitor-related tags
• Generating platform-specific sets (YouTube/TikTok/Instagram)
• Updating trending keywords
• Removing irrelevant or dead tags

Conclusion: Hashtags Are a Tool — Not the Whole Strategy

Hashtags won’t make bad content go viral — but they do help the right content reach the right audience. When paired with strong hooks, good storytelling, consistent posting, and retention-focused editing, hashtags become a powerful discovery accelerator.

Fix these 10 mistakes and you’ll see:

• Higher reach
• More consistent engagement
• Stronger long-term rankings
• Better platform-level SEO

Try RapidTags.app — Create Perfect Hashtag Sets Instantly