Hashtags can be useful tools for artists, but only when applied with a bit of care.
Facebook’s algorithm has changed quite a lot over the past year, and the platform now prefers posts that look natural rather than heavily tagged.
Using a thoughtful handful of hashtags can help your work reach the right people, while overloading the caption can actually reduce your visibility.
Keep it Simple
Facebook responds far better to subtlety. Aim for two to five hashtags at most.
Anything more tends to look automated or copied from Instagram, which can push your post down the feed rather than lifting it.
Tags That Do Not Work Well (and Should Be Avoided)
Some hashtags are so broad, so overused, or so generic that they offer little benefit to artists. Others can even hurt your engagement. It is best to avoid:
- Extremely generic tags such as #love, #happy, #photo, #style
- Very broad art tags like #art, #artist, #instaart, #creative, #artlife
- Long lists of dozens of hashtags copied from Instagram
- Repeating the same block of tags on every single post
- Using hashtags mid-sentence
These tend to look like spam to the algorithm and rarely bring any meaningful reach.
Place Them at the End
Let your words lead. A warm, human caption always performs better. Once you have said what you want to say, add your chosen hashtags neatly underneath. This keeps your post clean, readable, and far more likely to be shown to your audience.
Choose Hashtags with Intention
Rather than piling in every art-related tag you can think of, pick one or two that genuinely fit the post. You might choose:
- A community tag – #supportartists
- A movement or campaign tag – #buyintoart
- A brand or personal tag – #OurArtsMagazine or your own artist name
A small, curated set looks professional and gives each post a clear identity.
Avoid the Instagram Bundle
Facebook does not work like Instagram. Big clusters of tags usually reduce reach.
The platform now relies heavily on caption keywords instead, so clarity and natural writing will serve you better than twenty hashtags ever could.
Remember: Keywords Do Most of the Work
Words such as “painting”, “oil on canvas”, “new print available”, “winter landscape photograph”, and “work in progress” are automatically recognised and indexed. These natural keywords help Facebook understand your post without needing a single hashtag at all.
Use None When the Post Is Personal
Posts sharing stories, humour, or emotional moments often perform better without any hashtags.
Facebook tends to lift posts that feel authentic and unforced.
Final Thought
Hashtags on Facebook are most effective when used sparingly, intentionally, and as a finishing touch rather than the focus. A gentle approach helps your art stand out without overwhelming your audience or the algorithm.
Feel free to share your own experiences with hashtags below – what has helped, what has not, and any insights other artists might find useful.
