What Are Hashtags and How Should You Use Them?

It’s more than just a symbol because hashtags help get your messages noticed.

You may know it as the number sign or the pound key on your phone. But to the social media savvy, the hashtag # symbol is an easy way to search updates and trends. Yes, the hashtag is everywhere. What started on Twitter is being picked up by other social media platforms (Instagram and Facebook, just to name a few). But if you’re a new to hashtags or you don’t know what to make of all of them, we’d like to give you a crash course as to what they can do for you.

What Are Hashtags Anyway?

Hashtags first made an appearance on Twitter as a way to help people categorize keywords and trends. When you’re sending out a tweet, just place the # before a relevant keyword or phrase (no spaces). The hashtag helps to categorize the tweet, as well as allowing this tweet to show up in Twitter Search. You can use hashtags anywhere in your tweet, and when hashtags get super popular, they turn into Trending Topics.

Let’s just say that you wanted to find out about all tweets that mentioned gourmet hotdogs. You would just click on a hashtag in a word such as #gourmethotdogs. Bingo—up pops all the tweets that include that hashtag or keyword.

How Do I Use Hashtags?

There are so many inventive ways to use hashtags. We’ve even run across a few people who have turned them into a form of poetry. But as a good rule of thumb, it’s best to keep your hashtag count to two per tweet. That way, you’re not losing the overall importance of your message. Just tag the most important keywords in your message.

The overall theme of your message or tweet could center on the hashtag you’re using. So let’s pull out the #gourmethotdogs example. Your tweet would go something like this: “Found the best #gourmethotdogs on Main & Center Strs. Caviar toppings!”  You’re not throwing in a hashtag just for the sake of trying to look trendy. It actually has something to do with your message.

And if you’re new to hashtags, make sure that they are obvious. Stick with industry terms, brand names and take a look at the trending topics. These will tips will never steer you wrong.

How often do you use hashtags in your social share messages? Do you find you get more of a response when you do use them? Tell us about your experiences on Twitter or Instagram.