How Do Hashtags Work? How to Use Hashtags: A Simple Guide for 2024

Social media has greatly dominated the ecommerce market these days, with hashtags playing a pivotal role. Hashtags in social media campaigns are integral for enhancing brand awareness. When you know how to properly use and strategize hashtags, you can reach unprecedented heights of success. This article serves as a comprehensive guide, providing you with easy steps to follow on how to use hashtags effectively. But before diving deep into the topic, let’s discuss what a hashtag actually is.

What is a Hashtag?

A hashtag is a keyword or phrase preceded by the pound symbol (#). It groups content related to a specific topic or trend, making it easily discoverable. For example, searching for #socialmediamarketing on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook will display all related content in one place. Hashtags are a powerful tool for increasing visibility and engagement on social media.

History of Hashtags

The journey of hashtags began in 2007 when Twitter introduced them as a way to index keywords for easier discovery. Before this, the hashtag was simply a pound symbol (#) used to mark numbers. Twitter revolutionized social media, and soon other platforms adopted hashtags into their functionality. Today, hashtags are ubiquitous across social media, playing a critical role in content organization and discovery.

Why Should You Use Hashtags?

Hashtags offer a variety of benefits that can significantly boost your social media presence. Here are some key advantages:

1. Enhance Engagement Rates

   • Hashtags help your content reach a larger audience, increasing the likelihood of likes, comments, and shares. For example, using popular hashtags related to your content can attract new followers to your social media accounts.

2. Boost Brand Awareness

   • Hashtags make it easier for people to find your social media accounts and website. When someone searches for a hashtag you've used, your post appears in their search results, promoting your brand and increasing visibility.

3. Conciseness

   • Hashtags allow you to convey messages quickly and effectively. On platforms like Twitter, which has a character limit, hashtags can succinctly summarize your content.

How to Use Hashtags: Do’s and Don’ts

Understanding the proper use of hashtags is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness. Here are some best practices and common pitfalls to avoid:

Do’s of Hashtags

1. Research Relevant Hashtags

   • Identify and use hashtags that are popular within your industry. This increases the likelihood of your content being discovered by the right audience.

2. Platform-Specific Strategies

   • Different social media platforms have unique rules and best practices for hashtags. For instance, Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, whereas Twitter is best with fewer, more targeted hashtags. Tailor your hashtag strategy to each platform.

3. Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning (STP)

   • Analyze your business goals and target audience. Use specific hashtags that your audience is likely to search for, ensuring your content reaches the right people.

4. Creativity and Innovation

   • Create unique and catchy hashtags. Innovative hashtags can become trends themselves, significantly boosting your brand's visibility.

5. Understand Audience Needs

   • Use hashtags to connect with your audience on a deeper level. Focus on engaging with your followers rather than just promoting products.

Don’ts of Hashtags

1. Avoid Random Hashtags

   • Using unrelated or random hashtags can confuse your audience and make your posts look spammy. Always ensure your hashtags are relevant to your content.

2. Don’t Overuse Hashtags

   • Excessive hashtags can overwhelm your audience and diminish the impact of your message. Aim for a balanced approach, using only the most relevant hashtags.

3. Keep Hashtags Short and Crisp

   • Long hashtags can be confusing and difficult to read. Use short, clear hashtags to convey your message effectively.

4. Platform Appropriateness

   • Avoid using the same hashtags across all platforms. LinkedIn, for example, requires a more professional approach compared to Instagram or Twitter.

5. Use Popular Acronyms Wisely

   • Stick to widely recognized acronyms to ensure your message is understood by a broad audience.

Hashtag Best Practices by Platform

Hashtags are a powerful tool to increase your social media reach and engagement. However, their effectiveness varies across different platforms. Here’s a breakdown of recommended hashtag practices for popular social media platforms:

Instagram hashtag best practices

• Optimal number of hashtags: While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags, it's generally recommended to use between 3-5 relevant hashtags.

• Placement: Experiment with placing hashtags in the caption, first comment, or a combination of both.

• Relevance: Use hashtags that accurately describe your content.

• Variety: Mix popular and niche hashtags to reach a wider audience.

• Instagram Insights: Use this feature to track hashtag performance.

Learn more about the Instagram Hashtags. 

The 20 most popular Instagram hashtags 2024:

#photography

#love

#art

#fashion

#music

#instagood

#photooftheday

#reels

#travel

#model

#explore

#wedding

#explorepage

#instagram

#makeup

#summer

#beauty

#nature

#artist

#style

Know more about the popular and trending Instagram Hashtags via category from the article published on the Mention.

Also read, How Instagram Algorithm Works

X hashtag best practices

• Length: Twitter allows up to 500 characters, including hashtags.

• Relevance: Use hashtags that are relevant to your tweet and the conversation.

• Trending hashtags: Incorporate relevant trending hashtags to increase visibility.

• Branded hashtags: Create a unique branded hashtag to build community.

Learn more about the Twitter Hashtags.

20 Trending Hashtags for X in 2024:

#business

#digitalmarketing

#entrepreneur

#marketing

#fyp

#motivation

#success

#smallbusiness

#money

#viral

#entrepreneurship

#onlinebusiness

#mindset

#trending

#love

#businessowner

#socialmediamarketing

#finance

#startup

#investment

Source: Brand24 Blog

Facebook hashtag best practices

• Moderation: Use hashtags sparingly as Facebook's algorithm may not prioritize hashtag-based searches as heavily as other platforms.

• Relevance: When using hashtags, ensure they are highly relevant to your post.

• Groups: Hashtags can be more effective in Facebook groups.

Learn more about the Facebook Hashtags.

Interested to know more about the trending hashtags for Facebook based on the post type/industry: Trendingus Blog

TikTok hashtag best practices

• Relevance: Use hashtags that accurately describe your video content.

• Trending challenges: Participate in popular hashtag challenges to boost visibility.

• Sound-based hashtags: Leverage TikTok's unique feature of sound-based hashtags.

• Captions: Add relevant hashtags in captions for better discoverability.

Learn more about the TikTok Hashtags.

LinkedIn hashtag best practices

• Relevance: Use industry-specific and professional hashtags.

• Moderation: Avoid excessive use of hashtags as LinkedIn's focus is on professional networking.

• Company hashtags: Utilize branded hashtags to promote company culture and values.

Learn more about the LinkedIn Hashtags.

General Tips for Hashtag Planning

1. Research: Use hashtag research tools to find relevant and popular hashtags.

2. Consistency: Create a consistent hashtag strategy across platforms.

3. Engagement: Interact with other users who use your hashtags.

4. Analytics: Monitor hashtag performance to refine your strategy.

By leveraging these best practices and following the tips outlined in this guide, you can effectively use hashtags to enhance your social media strategy, achieving greater engagement and brand visibility.