Tianna Winters
Aug 24, 2017 · 5 min read
Happy birthday, hashtag!

Today the hashtag turns 10!

The hashtag is a powerful symbol these days. Movements, news, and experiences can be shared with millions worldwide by simply adding a symbol to the beginning of a word. It’s how we connect and engage with others, and one of the reasons as to why social media is so successful for businesses and branding.

There have been a few times clients have asked me, why hashtags? It always starts off with, “I hate them, they make my posts look desperate.” My reply? “Try reaching your target audience without them and tell me how that works out.” Hashtags are used by millions of users. These users are the same people your business is trying to connect with and one of the fastest ways to do so is by using them.

Hashtags allow those who aren’t following your profile to find you. You know how Batman can be summoned by the use of the bat signal? Yeah, hashtags are kinda like that. They allow your posts to stay relevant.

It all started with a tweet.

Chris Messina, a social technology expert, asked his followers how they would feel about using #barcamp in August 2007. Messina wanted to find a way to compile discussions people were actively engaging in regarding Barcamp, an international network of user-generated conferences revolving around technology and the web. The goal was to use the hashtag so that users could find conversations they wanted with those who shared similar interests. Now hashtags are used to spread information to relevant audiences and help us to connect with one another.

Hashtags are created when the (#) symbol is placed in front of a word or collection of words without spaces. This then allows users on social platforms to find information and content easier — your content. When used correctly, hashtags allow your brand to connect with users based on a common theme or interest creating a path to social media gold: engagement. It is important for brands to understand how to use the hashtag. Yes — it can be complicated and your posts will be ignored if you use them wrong — or worse, if you use a hashtag and don’t understand its meaning (yikes).

So here are a few of the tips I’ve picked up over the years on the best — and worst — ways to use hashtags.

DON’T

You know how I told you that some of my clients don’t like hashtags because it appears desperate? Well there’s a bit of truth to that. When you use more hashtags than actual words, it dilutes your original message and you will attract the wrong kind of followers i.e. spammers.

DO

Using hashtags that relate the most to your content will give you better followers and keep your hashtag count in line. It’s also important to remember that each platform calls for a different number of hashtags, so make sure to research the platform before posting. Visual platforms like Instagram and Facebook tend to have hashtags that explain the content. Twitter tends to use hashtags to find topics of conversation. How many hashtags you should use really depends on your preference and goals but here’s what I go by:

Instagram 8–10

Twitter 1–2

Facebook 0–1

You can also make your post look a lot cleaner if you add your hashtags in the comment section or

.

.

.

.

.

below the original content. Your hashtags will still count and users will still be able to find you.

DON’T

One of my biggest pet peeves? When a post has a popular hashtag incorporated but it has nothing to do with the actual content. Example — a picture of your lunch with #wednesdaywisdom. Hashtags should be used to supplement the content of your post, not just because. Not only are you wasting valuable social media real estate, users will be confused.

DO

Archiving hashtags that have the farthest reach also helps so that they’re available when you need them. This allows you to have a list of hashtags that have been proven to be successful and you won’t leave any out. One thing I love about Instagram is the platform actually tells you how popular a particular hashtag is. You can use the search bar to look up hashtags or the number of uses will show up in your direct post. I also really like Hashtagify, this site will look up how popular your hashtag is and which hashtags are regularly paired with it. Pretty neat, right?

DON’T

Ignore your audience. This is a major rule to really never forget. The most successful social media campaigns revolve around engagement — it’s what all great social media marketers strive for and it’s what keeps your brand alive. So pay attention to your analytics, know who’s following you, and what their interests are.

DO

Know your audience. Active engagement starts with YOU. Once you post, you’re going to get users reaching out that may not be following you, but they’re interested in your post. Talk to them! Social media is meant to be social — duh. Knowing your audience is important when it comes to hashtags. If your followers are made up of 40 to 50 year-olds, using #extra or #ootd is probably not going to make sense. But who knows? They may have kids and understand slang, but most of the time probably not. When you know who you’re speaking to, you’ll be able to utilize hashtags that are relatable to topics that are important to them.

So there you have it — I hope this helps! Bottom line: hashtags are meant to connect with your audience. Think before you use them and enjoy your results. Cheers to another year older and wiser with hashtags!

)
Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade