Hashtags have been present on social media and our culture for more than 10 years now. They are used in texts, but also speeches. Ask yourself how long you have been using them. Do you know what they are used for? Today, we will answer these questions in order to tell if hashtags are still relevant for your social media content.
Reminder: What are hashtags? What are they used for?
The hashtag or keyword (#) was born in 2007 on Twitter. Chris Messina is the one who got the idea. He wanted to gather together all the tweets, the users' comments, under the same keyword to create debates or communities. It allowed the creation of “trends’’, where we can see the most popular topics on Twitter in real time.
Of course, other social media like Facebook or Instagram wanted to use hashtags as well. Many businesses decided to have their own hashtags to create communities. People will react to the content they watch and see, and companies can become trendy and have a lot of free engagement. Something often forgotten is that the hashtag can allow you to find your audience, but it can also help your audience find you!
How can you use hashtags?
Hashtags are not used the same way on all social media platforms. Let’s see how you can use hashtags on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok.
Twitter
As mentioned above, Twitter was the first to use hashtags; however, 10 years later, are they still as popular? It seems that not, fewer users use hashtags in their posts. But why? Simply because of the technology and the secrets of their algorithms. Indeed, their algorithms will now recognize the most tweeted words or names automatically. Regarding the top trends, you can find keywords like #McDonaldsFromHome or Paul Rudd without a hashtag just because people will talk about him.
Regarding the people who use Twitter, it is recommended to use 1 to 2 hashtags per post. The placement does not matter. Moreover, the increase to 280 characters is not an excuse to add a dozen hashtags. It may look a few for the social media who created this tool; however, people who tweet mostly want to talk about a specific topic, a political opinion, etc. They will write another tweet if they want to talk about something else.
Facebook and LinkedIn
We will not hide that hashtags are not that relevant on Facebook or LinkedIn since they are not social media where you need to find specific information. A post will be liked or shared with friends or the entourage. If you want to follow a particular hashtag on LinkedIn, note that it is something possible. We also recommend using a maximum of two hashtags when you publish something on this social network.
Pinterest
Regarding Pinterest, there are no specific rules to follow if you want to use hashtags. You just need to add them at the end of your description. Regarding the number of hashtags, you can add as much as you want.
Instagram
It is on Instagram that hashtags became more popular. The average number of hashtags used in Instagram posts is 11; it varies between 9 and 15. Regarding their localization, they can be placed under the text or in the first comment if you want them to be less visible. When you use hashtags on Instagram, you increase your chances of being noticed on the Explore page or when people watch Reels.
TikTok
TikTok is the place to use hashtags since this platform is based on this tool. You can use as many hashtags as you want. We also recommend that you check the used hashtags on the trendy videos and try to use them in your content in order to reach new users.
Some tools to help you find the right hashtags
Do you have trouble knowing which hashtags to use? First, take a look at the most relevant words regarding your products, services, or business. Then, do not hesitate to check the hashtags that are used by your competitors or those that are currently popular. Here is an additional tip: add capital letters to increase its readability if your hashtag is made up of many words.
Here is a list of tools that can help you find the right hashtags easily.
-
TagBoard: It can provide statistics for hashtags on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
-
All Hashtag: It is made for Instagram. This tool allows you to offer hashtag suggestions related to the one you normally use. It can even give you statistics about its popularity and allow you to choose a more effective hashtag.
-
RiteTag: It is a tool made especially for Twitter. It can help you find original hashtags.
-
TagsFinder: This tool was made for Instagram and Pinterest. It suggests hashtags related to your keywords.
And if I want to create my own hashtag?
If you want to create your own hashtag, here are some pieces of advice to make it work. It is the same process as creating your brand name: your hashtag must be simple, precise, short, and timeless. Once more, check what other people do and what is currently trending. Moreover, do not add too many words or characters (avoid using more than 3 words or 25 characters). Do not forget to tell your community by answering them or sharing their content if your hashtag works. If you use your hashtag often, it will make other people want to use it as well.
In conclusion, are hashtags still relevant regarding your social media? In most cases, we can say yes. You only need to choose the right platform and keywords to create effective content.