They have become a commonly recognized element and their use has gone beyond Twitter. Hashtags can now be found daily in TV programs and all kinds of advertising messages, but many users still struggle to use hashtags properly on the platform. In Spanish, the word would translate as “etiqueta” (tag) and it is used to bring order to the vast amount of content generated on Twitter, as if categorizing it.
Hashtags can now be found not only on Twitter
As a curiosity, it’s worth noting that the hashtag is a feature that was not created by Twitter’s founders, but rather by users themselves who started using it spontaneously. Specifically, it was a “tweep,” Chris Messina, who first included the pound sign (#) in front of a word and thus created, in August 2007, the first hashtag in history: #barcamp.
His goal was to form a kind of “group” within Twitter to share messages with other attendees about the conference he had attended. Without knowing it, he managed to give a new use to the pound symbol, and hashtags quickly became a widely used tool on the platform.
According to Twitter data, more than 125 million hashtags are created every day. By turning a word into a hashtag, users can click on it to access a list of other tweets that also include it. This way, you can discover other messages on the same topic.
Their use should not be taken lightly, neither on Twitter nor on other platforms like Instagram. Using a hashtag incorrectly can confuse users and scatter the conversation in a way that is not beneficial for the brand. When and how should hashtags be included in messages?
There may be situations where it’s better not to use them, but their use is highly recommended, for example, when organizing events and conferences. Users now expect the use of an official hashtag to join causes and campaigns, to encourage participation in a contest, and more…
Tips for using hashtags well on Twitter
-Contextualize. A hashtag should be included whenever you want to frame content within a topic. As mentioned, this helps readers of the tweet and allows others interested in the topic to find it, which will bring more visibility to the messages.
-Use popular hashtags. Before creating your own hashtag, the community manager should search Twitter to see if users are already using one on that specific topic. This will help frame the message within an existing conversation so it doesn’t remain isolated.
-Create your own hashtags. This will be necessary if the company is organizing an event or presenting a study, for example, or if it wants to carry out a specific promotion. If you choose the right tag, other users will start using it.
-Be brief. Hashtags are made up of characters that do count toward the 280 available when sending each message, so conciseness and brevity are recommended. Also, the more direct it is, the easier it will be for users to remember.
-Use uppercase and lowercase. When using a hashtag made up of two or more words, it’s advisable to capitalize the first letter of each word. This makes it easier for users to identify, read, and remember.
-Use accents. On Twitter, hashtags can include accents, and content will still be shown to those searching for that tag without the accent. Therefore, it is recommended to use them to comply with general accentuation rules.
-Identification. Use those that are easily recognizable and make logical sense. If it’s a tag that no one knows what it means (like #CDTGRK), it won’t be useful.
-Don’t overuse. #You #shouldn’t #turn #every #word #into #a #hashtag. This makes no sense. Tags should only be used when necessary and when they add value. As a general rule, include only one hashtag or, at most, two in a single tweet. If you add more in one message, you may confuse the user or make them tired.
-Don’t use misleading hashtags. Using the most popular tags and trending topics on Twitter at a given time is justified if they are related to the brand’s activity or the message you want to share. A company can join the trending conversation as long as it does so naturally, providing content or value, but not for commercial purposes.
However, there are companies that try to use trending tags in any of their messages, just to get more people searching for that term to see their message. This can only bring negative consequences, annoy some users, and even lead someone to report the account for spam.
