What is a hashtag (#)?
A word or group of words that start with the symbol # is called a hashtag. Example:
- #SEO
- #SearchEngineOptimisation
- #webapex
Twitter implemented hashtags to categorise information. And it became very popular among Twitter users. And later Facebook and Google Plus also implemented it.
Real Example:
We are an SEO Company based in Melbourne, and we specialise in #SEO, #WebDesign and #AdWords. So, while sharing our posts on social media we use our main services as hashtags.
Happy hashtagging!
Benefits of Hashtags
Hashtags, those clickable links whose word or group of words begins with hash/pound (#), have been in use for a few years. Initially used and popularized by Twitter, now you can use hashtags on other social media sites. They include Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Google+ and Tumblr.
You might be wondering why people are so crazy about them that they use hashtags in their every tweet and post. Sometimes even using lots of hashtags in a single tweet and post.
It’s because using hashtags has benefits. Not only for people but also for businesses.
Let’s check those benefits one by one.
#JoinTheConversation: You know hashtags are clickable links. When clicking upon it, they will take you to a list of tweets and posts related to topics in hashtags. When you click on #WorldCup2014, you will be taken to the conversation happening around this mega sporting event and you can join the talk. Find hashtags related to your business or niche and join the conversation happening. Add your own opinions and attract attention to your business, product or service. If your opinions are real, unique and problem-solving, then you can establish a stand or authority for your business. You have to dish out great, credible opinions time and again.
#OrganiseContent: Using hashtags organises all related content in one place. If people are talking about SEO using the hashtag #SEO, then when you click on it, you will see tweets and posts related to SEO in one place. And, when you organise an event or contest, then you can invent a new hashtag and ask people to talk or submit using that hashtag. Doing so lets you see all those tweets and posts about your event and contest in one place. That’s a proper organisation.
#HelpInContentDiscovery: You know hashtags will take you to conversations happening around a certain topic. You will see opinions about topics discussed. Scrolling through that conversation, surely you might discover great content or you might find inspiration/information for your next blog post. You can promote your content through hashtags. And chances are there someone will discover it.
#GainExposure: When you tweet or update a post, surely your followers/fans will see it. But when you use relevant, trending hashtags, your content will be seen by people who don’t follow you. This is one way to gain exposure for your business, product or service. To gain wide exposure, the trick is to use hashtags that are related to your business and to use trending hashtags. Irrelevant obscure and too general hashtags won’t bring exposure to your business needs. And sometimes things go viral and attain enormous exposure. Thanks to hashtags.
FAQs
The hashtag should be trending topics, generic words or phrases related to the topic. Usually, unrelated topics are considered as spam.
The standard practice is to use up to two hashtags per post. If your post contains too many hashtags, your fans will consider that as spam and often they will unlike or unfollow you.
There is no restriction. So you can use hashtags at the start, in the middle or at the end.
Shorter hashtags are readable and recommended. A hashtag may contain more than one word, but it should not contain too many words.
It does not contain space. And to make it readable make the first character of each word as upper case. Example: #HelloWorld
So it is used to categorise but has no other benefit ?
Hi David,
It has got so many benefits. I might add benefits of hashtag in the same article or there will be dedicated post.
More coming up.
On twitter if you have two words in a hashtag will a hashtag with one of the words bring up the two?
Hi there,
If there will be no space between the words then both words will be part of hashtag but if you leave space then only first word will be part of hashtag.
Example 1: #Hello world
Example 2: #HelloWorld
In Example 1, the hashtag will be only on first word.
In Example 2, the hashtag will be on both words.
Hope this helps.