How to Use Hashtags on Bluesky

Using hashtags on Bluesky feels a bit different than on other platforms, but they are a powerful tool for getting your posts discovered once you get the hang of it. This guide cuts through the confusion, explaining exactly how hashtags function on the platform, providing a clear strategy for using them effectively, and showing you how to find the right ones for your niche.

Are Hashtags Even a Thing on Bluesky? Yes, But Not How You Think

If you were an early Bluesky user, you might remember a time when hashtags didn't work at all - they were just plain text. Thankfully, that's changed. Hashtags on Bluesky are now clickable and searchable, but they don't function with the same algorithmic muscle you might be used to on platforms like Instagram or TikTok.

Here's the simplest way to think about it: On Bluesky, hashtags are primarily a direct search and filtering tool. When someone searches for #ArtHistory, the platform shows them a list of recent posts that include that exact tag. It’s less about the platform boosting your post based on the tag's popularity and more about letting users organize content and find specific conversations.

Discovery on Bluesky is a two-part system:

• Direct Search: People use the search bar to find users, posts, or hashtags. This is where your hashtag strategy comes in.
• Custom Feeds: These are user-created timelines that aggregate posts based on specific keywords, phrases, who posted them, or other criteria. This means a great post without any hashtags can still get tons of visibility if it contains keywords that a popular Custom Feed is tracking.

So, your goal is to use hashtags for the people actively searching for them while writing your posts with good keywords for the Custom Feeds that might be watching.

Your Blueprint for Using Hashtags on Bluesky

Because hashtags here are more for direct classification than for algorithm hacking, the strategy is simpler and more focused. Forget what you learned about stuffing 30 tags at the end of an Instagram post. Here’s a better approach for Bluesky.

Focus on Relevance, Not Volume

Less is more. The most effective strategy is to use 1-3 highly relevant hashtags that accurately describe the content of your post. Piling on generic or semi-related tags just adds noise and can make your post look spammy or desperate.

Example: You’re posting a photo of a wooden shelf you just built.

• Good: "So proud of this bookshelf I just finished! It was my first time working with dovetail joints. My little home library has never looked better. #Woodworking #DIYFurniture"
• Not So Good: "New bookshelf! #diy #wood #furniture #handmade #books #reading #hobby #project #home #decor #interiordesign"

The first example uses two specific, searchable tags. The second is an overwhelming jumble that doesn't add much value, especially on a platform that favors direct search.

Make Them Part of the Conversation

Bluesky has a very conversational and authentic feel. The best way to use hashtags is to integrate them naturally into your sentences instead of listing them at the end. It makes the post read more smoothly and feels less like a marketing broadcast.

Example: You're sharing a link to a new tech article.

• Natural Integration: "This article breaking down the new AI models is a fantastic read for anyone interested in #MachineLearning ethics."
• Tacked On: "Great article on AI models. [link] #AI #Tech #MachineLearning #Ethics"

Both posts use the same hashtags, but the first one weaves it into the sentence, which fits the platform's culture much better.

Capitalize for Readability (CamelCase)

This is a small tip that makes a huge difference, especially for accessibility. When your hashtag contains multiple words, capitalize the first letter of each word. This writing style is known as CamelCase.

For example, use #SocialMediaTips instead of #socialmediatips. The CamelCase version is significantly easier for everyone to read at a glance. More importantly, it allows screen reader software, which is used by many people with visual impairments, to announce the hashtag as separate words instead of a confusing string of letters.

It's a simple, considerate habit that improves the user experience for everyone.

Think Before You Create a Brand New Tag

Starting a new hashtag can be useful for a specific event or campaign (like #AnnualWidgetsConference24), but for general discovery, it's better to tap into existing streams of conversation. If you invent a highly specific tag that no one else is using or searching for, it won't help anyone find you.

Always do a quick search for a hashtag before you use it. See if an active conversation is already happening there and if it's the right fit for your content.

How to Find Effective Hashtags for Your Niche

So, where do you find these perfect, super-relevant hashtags? It doesn't require complex tools. Most of the work involves smart observation and thinking from your audience's perspective.

Watch What Others in Your Niche Are Using

The best place to start is by looking at what successful accounts in your field are doing. Find 5-10 people or organizations who create content similar to what you want to create.

• Scroll through their posts and see which hashtags they use consistently.
• Pay close attention to community-specific tags. Bluesky has strong sub-communities that build around tags like #BookSky (for authors and readers), #Science, #FilmSky (for movie lovers), #fediverse, or #Birds. These niche tags are often much more powerful than broad, generic ones.
• When you find a promising tag, click on it. See what the conversation looks like. Is it active? Is the content high-quality? Does it feel like a community you want to be part of?

Use the Bluesky Search Function Strategically

The search bar is your best friend. Don't just use it to post - use it for research. Let's say you're a photographer who specializes in landscape shots.

1. Start Broad: Search for #Photography. You'll likely see a massive, fast-moving stream of content. This might be a good tag to include, but your post could get buried quickly.
2. Narrow Down: Now try searching for more specific terms related to your work. Try #LandscapePhotography, #NaturePhotography, or even something hyper-specific like #Astrophotography if that's your thing.
3. Analyze the Results: For each search, ask yourself:
   • How many people are using this tag?
   • How often are new posts appearing?
   • Is the vibe of the other posts a good match for my content?
   You might find that #LandscapePhotography drives more engagement in your community than the broader #Photography tag.

Think Like Your Audience

Put yourself in the shoes of someone you want to attract. What words would they type into the search bar to find content or people like you?

If you're a freelance graphic designer sharing your portfolio, your ideal client isn't necessarily searching for #MyDesignWork. They're probably searching for what they need, like #LogoDesign, #Branding, or #GraphicDesignerForHire. Thinking from their perspective helps you move from descriptive tags to discoverable tags.

Beyond Hashtags: A Quick Word on Custom Feeds

You can't have a complete Bluesky discovery strategy without acknowledging Custom Feeds. As mentioned earlier, these are curated timelines that anyone can create and follow. Some feeds are simple, like one that only shows cat photos. Others are more complex, aggregating posts that mention a specific topic.

This is why the text in your post matters just as much as your hashtags. A well-written post about AI development could get picked up by a popular "AI News" feed with thousands of subscribers, even if you don't use a single hashtag. The feed's algorithm just sees the keywords in your post and pulls it in.

So, tying it all together:

• Write descriptive, clear posts using keywords your community cares about. This is your ticket into relevant Custom Feeds.
• Add 1-3 specific hashtags to help people who are searching for those exact terms find you directly.

By doing both, you double your chances of being discovered.

Final Thoughts

Using hashtags effectively on Bluesky comes down to a simple, user-focused approach. Prioritize relevant, conversational tags over spammy lists, use CamelCase for readability, and always remember that you're just one part of a bigger discovery ecosystem that includes search and Custom Feeds.

Managing unique strategies across multiple platforms like Bluesky, Instagram, and TikTok can start to feel chaotic, pulling you in different directions. That's actually why we built Postbase - to tame that chaos. We designed a visual calendar that gives you a single, clear view of all your content, helping you plan your hashtag strategies and campaigns for every platform without needing a complex spreadsheet. It centralizes your entire social media workflow so you can stay consistent without ever feeling overwhelmed.