#Hashtags

So what exactly is a hashtag? 

The hashtag, first created by Twitter in 2007, is a pound sign followed by a string of letters or numbers to create topics on social media. This feature is used by Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest as a way to group posts by user-identified topics. Users can then search hashtags and see all posts that use that tag (regardless of whether or not they follow the poster) either by date posted or popularity. 

Why should I use hashtags? 

Hashtags help your target audience find your posts without already having followed your account. Hashtags can also give context to posts, or connect a post to a current trending topic. Hashtags are a great way to make any post slightly more dynamic and boost its chances of being seen by the right people. 

How do I use hashtags? 

Now that you know what hashtags are and why you should be using them, it’s time for you to start adding them to your social media content. Each platform is slightly different, but hashtags generally can only be letters (A-Z) and numbers (0-9) and cannot include spaces or punctuation. 

Tips

• Know your audience – who is the target audience for your post… that may not already follow you? 
• Use semi-unique hashtags: generic hashtags (ex: #love) can have hundreds of millions of posts using them which will make your post less likely to be seen. Ultra-specific or extremely long hashtags are unlikely to be searched. It is best to use something that is unique but non-specific. 
• Use hashtags that make sense: Not every post needs a hashtag, but if you do use hashtags make sure they are relevant to the posts. Ex: If you are posting about an upcoming symphony concert, it would likely be unwise to use a hashtag for an unrelated topic like #slampoetry. 
• Follow trends when possible. If there is a topic trending on any of the social media sites that is applicable to your post, use it! See what hashtags other users with large followings are posting and use those that work. 

Other Resources: 

How to Use Hashtags: A quick and simple guide for every network, HootSuite

Using Hashtags Effectively on Social Media, Digital Marketing Institute

The Ultimate Guide to Using Instagram Hashtags in 2021, Later