If you’re still puzzled that the pound sign is now called a hashtag — it’s okay. Truly, internet speed is exponentially quickening. However, you can get ahead of the curve. Whichever social media platforms your brand uses as part of its social media strategy, knowing how to use hashtags will help boost your brand’s social media reach and engagement.
What is a hashtag?
A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by the pound symbol.
On social media, it serves as an indication (for users and algorithms) that a piece of content relates to a specific topic or belongs to a category.
Hashtags help make content discoverable in on-platform searches and, effectively, reach more people.
Hashtag basics
– They always start with # but they won’t work if you use spaces, punctuation or symbols.
– Make sure your accounts are public. Otherwise, the hashtagged content you write won’t be seen by any non-followers.
– Don’t string too many words together. The best hashtags tend to be relatively short and easy to remember.
– Use relevant and specific hashtags. If it is too obscure, it will be hard to find and it won’t likely be used by other social media users.
– Limit the number of hashtags you use. More isn’t always better. It actually looks spammy.
Why Hashtags?
Simply, a hashtag metastasizes a conversation. A conversation begins around a specific topic indicated in the tag. For example, if you use, #DallasDentist your post will appear in the discussion with others talking about #DallasDentist. For illustration, below are searches for the hashtag on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Secondly, potential patients use hashtags to discover content. Put yourself in the shoes of someone who is searching for a dentist. If it is a restorative treatment they may use #toothache. However, if it is cosmetic, they may search #teethwhitening. Ensure that the tag is directing to similar content in the post or photo. For almost all social media networks sticking to 1 – 2 meaningful tags will generate the most traction.
However, every good absolute has an exception. There has been recent controversy around ‘hashtag loading’. This practice involves adding the maximum amount of hashtags at the end of a post to improve discoverability. For example, if someone searches #love or #smile, your post will appear as a result. This practice is fading away because it interrupts the user experience. Although, it is still effective for Instagram. A few reasons why this practice has not drifted off yet is because (1) people are more comfortable using hashtags on Instagram, (2) text is minimal in the newsfeed, and (3) many still search hashtags.
What to Hashtag
As mentioned before, hashtags are short phrases that summarize the main point and target audience of the social media post. Likewise, there are a few common pitfalls that can happen while choosing a tag. First, do not over complicate it. Writing a hashtag is about simplicity. It is not a place to write an entire phrase. For example, say #FreeExam instead of #FREEexamAtComfortDental. Long hashtags like this one will make it difficult for potential patients to find the tag.
How to find the best hashtags for your brand
Use Hashatory
Hashatory is a hashtag research tool specifically designed to help Instagram users. With this tool, you can research hashtags and see the “Post Counts” of selected hashtags. You know, 30 Hashtags is the max you can place in any one post in the captions of your feed on Instagram.
How It Works
– Just select 1-30 hashtags and simply hit the “Copy Mode.”
– After that, it will copy all the selected hashtags to paste it into your Instagram captions.
First : (Input up to 4 words in total)
Second : (hit “copy” when finished)
Third : (paste in your Captions section on Instagram).
Click HERE also for the Hashtags Resources. This will be handy for businesses and influencers.
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