Hashtags are used to make your posts more searchable and help you add your voice conversations and trends. Just add a # to the word you want to tag and you’re done (like so: #hashtags). However, there is more to it to than that. Each social media channel uses them differently. To use them effectively, you need to follow some guidelines, based on your social media channel of choice.
The original home of hashtags, Twitter has some specific rules for using hashtags effectively:
- Always include at least one hashtag. Hashtags have been shown to increase reach, so use them!
- No more than two. Don’t spam. Any more and the hashtags stop being useful.
- Only use relevant hashtags.
Facebook uses hashtags to categorize conversations between users. It’s not as popular as on Twitter or Instagram, but it can still be useful.
- You don’t need to include a hashtag in every post. Only use them when it’s relevant and useful.
- Use them alongside events and promotions.
- No more than two. Don’t spam. Any more and the hashtags stop being useful.
Hashtags are just as popular on Instagram as they are on Twitter, but with a few less rules.
- Always include at least one hashtag. Hashtags have been shown to increase reach, so use them!
- You can use many hashtags, but don’t overdo it.
- And make sure to use relevant hashtags.
That’s how the biggest social media channels use hashtags. Keep these guidelines in mind when including hashtags in your posts.