What Are Hashtags and How Should They Be Used

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you are business using Twitter to extend your brand and make sales. In which case, you should know how and what a hashtag is.

A hashtag, denoted by the # symbol, turns a word or a group of words into a link. Which allows users to organize content and track discussion topics based on those keywords. You can click on the hashtag and you will be shown posts that mention that particual subject, along with real time updated posts.

Hastags were first introduced by Twitter, however most social media platforms have followed, inlcuding Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+ and Tumblr.

Twitter introduced and used hastags to help users group topics of conversations.

“ The Trends sidebar on Twitter creates a list of hashtags you might be intersted in based on your tweets” – Fusion360, Kylie Moore – “ Facebook added hashtag support in June 2013. Clicking on a Facebook hastag will take you to a list of posts containing the same hashtag” 

You can use hastags on your Instagram account to compliment your photos, discover new people to follow and pick up followers in return – hashtags work in the same way on Tumblr and Pinterest.

On Google+ hashtags will bring up search results, when clicked on, the hashtag will also display similar tags and keywords.

As hashtags are used to organise subjects/topics - your company can think up a hashtag which has not been used before as a branded punch line or to publicise an event happening within your company or promotion you’re offering. You then simply remind everyone to use this hashtag in their posts.

Your company can even generate interest by jumping on the back of popular or tranding hashtags – just keep your finger on the pulse.

Bear in mind to not just hashtag on whim – really think about why you are hashtagging a particular word. You are trying to generate relevant interest in your post. 

Also remember to not over use hastags one or two hashtags is more than appropriate in a post – too many hashtags can cause people to not read your update.

You don’t always have to be clever thinking up hashtags if you’re offering something on sale then simply hashtag the word #sale. It’s very handy to always hashtag popular brand names which you might stock e.g. #UggBoots

However, being clever and thining up a unique and clever hashtag for your business can have many advantages and go a long way for you by spreading your brand and or events.

Thanks for reading our blog we hope you have found it useful. Remember One Media Solutions is a Social Media Agency who are here to help. We do not sign you up into contracts and as every Social Media Agency should be we are here to help your business grow.