The Purpose of Hashtags in 2024.

There are rumors along the marketing branch that people aren’t using hashtags. In the early days of social media, hashtags played a crucial role in helping users filter content and aiding algorithms in targeting the right audience for a post. If a user consistently engaged with content featuring a particular hashtag, platforms like Twitter or Instagram would prioritize showing them more posts associated with that hashtag.

However, today’s algorithms have evolved to be more sophisticated. They can discern and present relevant content based on a user’s preferences, irrespective of the hashtags used. The algorithm can now detect content relevance through keywords present in captions, allowing it to showcase your posts to individuals who have previously engaged with similar content. Despite the advancements in algorithms, social media platforms remain somewhat elusive about the intricacies of their algorithms. While it’s not definitively established that hashtags are obsolete, they still contribute to generating extra traffic. Although not as influential as they once were, including hashtags in your posts might have some residual impact on visibility.

So, if incorporating hashtags is not inconvenient for you, there’s no harm in doing so. While their impact may not be as pronounced as in the past, using hashtags might still positively affect discoverability and audience engagement.

Are you looking to enhance your visibility on your social media and attract a broader audience? If your answer is a resounding “yes,” then updating your keyword and hashtag strategy should be at the top of your to-do list this month.

✨ Let’s do this. ✨

Let’s revise – What is a hashtag?

In 2024, a hashtag remains a powerful symbol in social media. It is a metadata tag represented by the hash symbol (#), followed by a series of characters or words without spaces. The primary purpose of a hashtag is to categorize content and make it easily discoverable by users interested in specific topics. Popularised initially on Twitter, hashtags have become ubiquitous across various social media platforms, evolving into a universal language that connects users worldwide.

What does it mean

The hashtag is a digital signpost, guiding users to discussions, trends, or communities they may find interesting. It acts as a hyperlink to a broader conversation, allowing users to engage with diverse content beyond their immediate network. As a form of user-generated metadata, hashtags facilitate the organization and indexing of content, making it more straightforward for algorithms and users alike to find and follow relevant discussions.

Why are they important

In the dynamic landscape of social media, hashtags play a pivotal role in content discovery, brand visibility, and trend participation. They amplify the reach of posts, connecting users with shared interests and facilitating content virality. By utilizing hashtags strategically, individuals and businesses can extend their online presence, foster engagement, and tap into the pulse of current conversations.

For example – Instagram, akin to a versatile digital catalog, organizes posts based on the hashtags employed. When users engage in platform searches using specific hashtags like #EcoFriendlyFitness or #MindfulEating, their content becomes discoverable, provided they’ve embraced these relevant hashtags. Moving away from ubiquitous and heavily populated hashtags, the focus shifts towards incorporating niche hashtags spanning various topics. While these may not boast millions of associated posts, they attract a more dedicated and invested audience. This nuanced approach ensures your content reaches individuals genuinely interested in the multifaceted nature of your niche, promoting meaningful connections and interactions.

How to find effective hashtags

Regularly update your hashtag strategy to align with evolving trends and audience interests.

• The hashtag autocomplete feature within the platform’s search engine suggests popular hashtags related to user interests. Caution is advised against overly popular tags, but this feature aids in discovering trending hashtags directly related to specific niches.
• Social listening tools offer an effective way to discover popular hashtags relevant to businesses. By monitoring real-time mentions of predefined keywords across the web, these tools define the most popular hashtags associated with a company, saving time compared to manual hashtag searches.

• Relevant influencers play a significant role in shaping trends on Instagram. By following influencers in a specific industry, one can observe the hashtags they use and stay informed about emerging trends, including those found in Instagram Stories.
• Various websites compile lists of trending hashtags. While these lists often feature trendy tags, they can still provide insight into current trends. Some recommended sources include Influencer Marketing Hub, All Hashtags, Later, and Flick.
• Mobile apps available on app stores generate popular hashtags for Instagram. Apps like In Tags, Tagify, and Hashtag Generator allow users to search hashtags by category, generate them through keywords, and filter by usage. While these apps list hashtags by popularity, they may not detect emerging trends as effectively as other methods.

Experimenting with these diverse approaches helps to stay ahead of the curve and tap into the latest trends in the ever-evolving world of Instagram hashtags.

Hashtags on X (Twitter)

With all the time passed, we still find it odd calling it X. 🤭

The lifespan of trending hashtags on Twitter varies – like a mixed bag of candies. Some burst onto the scene, creating a buzz, and then disappear faster than you can say “tweet.” Others stick around like the friend who won’t leave the party.

So, what’s the secret sauce? Popularity and relevance take center stage. The hashtags that linger longer usually revolve around topics that everyone and their grandma are talking about. The more folks tweet using that hashtag and get chatting, the longer it hangs in the limelight.

Hashtags on Facebook

While Facebook may not be as hashtag-centric as Twitter, incorporating them into posts can enhance discoverability. Use concise and relevant hashtags to categorize your content, making it accessible to a broader audience. Consider creating or joining Facebook groups centered around specific hashtags to further engage with like-minded communities.

In a revival move, Facebook has resurrected the hashtag game. Starting in September 2020, the platform began suggesting hashtags for posts through a drop-down menu, a feature reminiscent of how hashtag recommendations work on other social media channels. Simultaneously, Facebook started to nudge users with notifications, emphasizing that incorporating hashtags can boost organic reach and enhance Facebook SEO.

So, should you stress about hashtags on Facebook? Not necessarily. While they’re not as omnipresent as once, there’s a renewed recognition of their utility. Feel free to sprinkle in a few hashtags if it aligns with your content and strategy. The hashtag’s role on Facebook might not be as flashy as in the past, but it could be the secret ingredient to getting your posts more visibility and reaching the right audience.

Hashtags on LinkedIn

LinkedIn hashtags serve as professional identifiers, connecting users based on industry trends, events, and discussions. Incorporate industry-specific and trending hashtags into your posts to increase visibility within your professional network. LinkedIn’s algorithm also rewards posts with relevant hashtags, potentially expanding your reach to a broader audience.

Cracking the code of LinkedIn hashtags involves understanding the platform’s unique audience – a crowd of professionals with a keen business sense. Forget the informal vibe of hashtags on TikTok; here, hashtags like #cute or #love won’t cut it.

For those aiming to master the art of LinkedIn hashtags without stumbling into awkward territory, here are some savvy tips:

Spruce up your profile summary

Start by incorporating hashtags into the summary section of your LinkedIn profile. This often-overlooked practice can significantly boost your profile’s visibility when users search for relevant hashtags.

Strategic placement is key

Explore various spaces to place hashtags strategically for maximum impact. Whether at the end of articles or within your company’s description, choose locations that align with your content.

Everything in moderation

While hashtags can be potent tools, the golden rule is moderation. Stick to three hashtags per post – two from trending lists and one as a branded hashtag, like your company name. This ensures consistency across your posts.

By following these guidelines, you’ll navigate the world of LinkedIn hashtags effectively and enhance your content’s discoverability within the professional realm, reaching a broader audience. We have some tips on creating a successful LinkedIn Content Strategy – take a look!

Hashtags on Instagram

Instagram thrives on hashtags, offering a visually-driven platform where users can explore content through tags. Research and use a mix of popular and niche hashtags related to your post content.

Instagram’s guidance on hashtag usage has evolved, emphasizing the importance of strategic selection. While the platform allows up to 30 hashtags per post, Instagram has advised creators to aim for a more conservative range of 3-5 hashtags. This recommendation aligns with Instagram’s efforts to enhance discoverability and streamline content categorization for features like the Explore Page and Instagram Reels tab.

Despite the official advice, a study found that using more hashtags often leads to better results, with posts containing around 20 hashtags boasting the highest average reach rate. The underlying theory is that more hashtags allow for more accurate self-categorization, assisting Instagram’s algorithms in presenting content to the right audience.

So, how many hashtags should one use on Instagram? The data suggests that using more hashtags remains a potent strategy for increasing reach on feed posts. However, quality is paramount. Opt for hyper-relevant hashtags, even if you use fewer than the maximum allowance.

When crafting your hashtag strategy, consider the following five primary types:

• Location-based hashtags: Specify your post’s location, connecting it with users interested in that area.
• Branded hashtags: Created for campaigns, events, or employer branding, fostering a sense of community.
• Industry hashtags: Describe your niche, connecting your content with like-minded users.
• Community-focused hashtags: Unify your audience around common themes or interests.

While there’s no fixed formula for how many of each category to use, a balanced selection can provide hashtag inspiration and guide your captions. When searching for hashtags, consider post volume as a crucial metric. Avoid overly saturated hashtags with millions of posts, as your content may get drowned out. Conversely, hashtags with only a few hundred posts might not attract enough visibility. Aim for a middle ground, selecting hashtags with a post volume ranging between 10,000 and 200,000 posts for optimal discoverability.

What’s the Difference Between Hashtags and Keywords?

Hashtags broaden your content’s visibility beyond your followers by making it accessible to users who search for those specific hashtags. On the other hand, keywords are particular words and phrases that convey the essence of your content, aiding Instagram in understanding your content and improving its searchability.

Keywords are particularly impactful in reaching people actively searching for specific topics within your niche, ensuring your posts appear in relevant searches. As Instagram continues to evolve, thinking of its search functionality, like Google, becomes essential for attracting new followers.

Should you use hashtags or keywords on Instagram?

The answer is both. Keywords and hashtags should be integral components of your Instagram strategy, alongside the quality of your posts and Reels. They are essential for attracting your target audience and securing a prominent position in Instagram’s search results, Explore Pages and user feeds. Strategic use of keywords and hashtags will significantly contribute to achieving these goals.

Why use keywords alongside hashtags?

While hashtags remain a popular method for content discovery, Instagram is transforming into more than just a social media platform; it is evolving into a search engine. Users now utilize the search bar similar to Google or TikTok, entering words or phrases to obtain search results. Incorporating relevant keywords into your captions becomes crucial in this scenario.

Using three or four pertinent keywords in each caption provides Instagram with valuable information about your content, assisting the platform in categorizing it accurately. This, in turn, increases the chances of your posts appearing in users’ search results, making your content more searchable overall and using keywords that position Instagram closer to traditional search engines like Yahoo or Google.

Do Instagram Hashtags and Keywords Boost SEO?

Absolutely. Instagram employs keywords to retrieve relevant posts as search results, making including keywords in your captions crucial. The effectiveness of your Instagram SEO is greatly influenced by your ability to identify the best hashtags and relevant keywords for your posts. Using the right keywords and hashtags in captions significantly improves the platform’s ability to direct the right audience to your content.

Utilizing Instagram’s “Search keywords” feature can simplify this process, instantly providing you with the most suitable keywords for your post.

Hashtags on Pinterest

Pinterest’s approach to hashtags has evolved over the years. Originally discouraging their use, Pinterest later embraced hashtags, allowing them in Pin descriptions. As of 2024, the platform suggests adding hashtags when creating a Pin on the mobile app.

Spicy news from Pinterest

However, several changes have occurred. Hashtags in Pin descriptions are no longer clickable, making it challenging to find them even if they are present. The visibility of Pin descriptions has also been downplayed, with titles taking precedence. Additionally, when you open a Pin, the description is often cut off, and clickable hashtags are usually invisible. While Pinterest recommends being specific and descriptive when using hashtags, they no longer actively promote hashtags in their help docs. The effectiveness of hashtags appears limited to providing a short burst of extra exposure.

Pinterest hashtag searches now pull up both hashtagged and regular search results, blurring the distinction between hashtags and keywords. Although hashtags are optional, their impact seems less pronounced than before, making a robust keyword strategy crucial for content discoverability.

In conclusion, while Pinterest hashtags are still allowed, their effectiveness is questionable, and the platform’s emphasis on keywords remains pivotal for content discovery.

Social media algorithms are ever-changing. Let’s talk about it here.

Hashtags on TikTok

On TikTok, captions are limited to 100 characters, encompassing your hashtags, so it’s advisable to refrain from excessive hashtag usage.

• Determine the peak activity times of your predominant target audience on TikTok and schedule your post uploads accordingly for maximum engagement.
• While leveraging trending hashtags can provide a significant boost, striking a balance is prudent. Instead of relying solely on popular hashtags with intense competition, consider incorporating a selection of niche hashtags with lower competition for a more practical approach.

Hashtags on YouTube

Like many other social media platforms, YouTube incorporates hashtags, offering a valuable opportunity to enhance the visibility of your videos and attract more subscribers through strategic keyword usage.

Incorporating hashtags into your video content is a straightforward process. You can include relevant hashtags in your video title or place them at the end of your description.

Here are some recommended practices to improve your use of hashtags on this widely used video-sharing platform:

• Instead of overwhelming your video description with numerous hashtags, it is advisable to limit them to a few, with a maximum of five
• Creating your own branded hashtags can be highly effective. This approach encourages viewers to explore more of your videos, as YouTube highlights hashtags in blue and makes them clickable.
• Ensure your hashtags are relevant to your video content to prevent YouTube from removing them. While leveraging trending hashtags can enhance visibility, they must remain pertinent to avoid removal.
• Prioritise reviewing YouTube’s Community Guidelines.

Hashtag strategy

Crafting an effective hashtag strategy involves research, creativity, and adaptability. Regularly monitor trending topics, engage with your audience, and analyze the performance of your chosen hashtags. Develop a unique branded hashtag to foster community engagement and encourage user-generated content.

If you want to get inspiration for your next campaign, this article mentions some good uses of branded hashtags.

Tailor your strategy to each platform’s nuances, and stay agile to adapt to emerging trends, ensuring your social media presence remains dynamic and impactful.

Summa summarum – yeah, good luck with that. 🤪