Knowing how to use hashtags on your social media platforms can help boost engagement with your audience and build your brand online. Keep reading for a quick and easy guide to hashtag etiquette.
#History
The hashtag was first incorporated on Twitter in 2007, with the purpose of grouping together post topics. This brilliant idea has since been introduced effectively on all major social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and more.
#Benefits
Using hashtags in your social media posts enables you to be part of a conversation on a particular topic and makes your brand easier to find. The outcome? Increased engagement with your customers.
Creating unique hashtags for your brand can also be a great way to promote your business and specific campaigns. Incorporating hashtags in your posts can also show that you are part of social movements, like supporting mental health through the hashtag #BellLetsTalk. Hashtags also allow you to add context to a post.
#FastFacts
- Make sure your account is public before you start using hashtags.
- Hashtags become null and void if you add a space, punctuation or symbols.
- The shorter the hashtag, the better.
- Make sure your hashtags are relevant and specific to your brand and post.
- As with most things, less is more.
#HowManyIsTooMany
The right number of hashtags differs between social media channels. On Twitter, the optimal number of hashtags is 1-2 and they are most popularly added at the end of the post. The same rule of thumb for quantity applies to Facebook and LinkedIn, however the hashtags can be used at any point of the post. Meanwhile, over on Instagram, the hashtag reigns supreme with a recommended 5-10 hashtags per post at the end of the caption.
For more social media advice and expertise, contact Sims Advertising today.
