Hashtags: a term which has huge power, and we all have seen its power in action. Hashtags can ignite a social movement, draw attention towards a particular topic, cause or any viral going trend.

When these are used for business purposes, hashtags are an amazing way to join a broader conversation. It helps you to get your company’s name out there, standing, and even promotes your particular products or events. I am sure everyone reading right now has seen hashtags somewhere, but maybe is not exactly sure how to use them. Then this guide is for you: using the right hashtags on Twitter, Instagram and other apps. 

What is a hashtag?

So let’s start learning from the basics. A hashtag is a word or phrase that contains the sign (#) at the start of it. The sign turns that word/phrase into a metadata tag, which automatically groups all the tweets or Instagram posts consisting of that same hashtag together. This way, it makes it easy for users to track the content related to that particular word/post. 

Why should one use hashtags?

There are a number of reasons for individuals as well as business owners to use hashtags. And the most obvious of all is that it’s an easy way to get involved in any viral/broader conversation. 

For example: Seasonal Promotion – #WinterWarmUp

A coffee shop running a winter campaign to promote its seasonal drinks (like spiced lattes or peppermint hot chocolate) could use #WinterWarmUp # HotChocolate. Customers can post pictures of their favourite drinks, creating a community vibe while boosting the café’s online reach during the colder months.

Creating your own branded hashtag can also be a powerful tool. Whether you’re launching a new product or hosting an event, a unique hashtag helps build buzz and invites your customers to take part. When people post photos or updates using your hashtag, they’re not only engaging with your brand — they’re also sharing it with their own network, helping you reach a broader audience.

Hashtags Do’s and Don’ts 

No doubt hashtags are a great way to reach your desired but only when used properly. The biggest mistake that we all make is over-hashtagging. Make sure to limit it to 3-4 hashtags per post/tweet. Otherwise, your post becomes very illegible, dirty and crowded. On Instagram, you may add more hashtags as it allows you to add 30+ hashtags per post, but most of the studies show that 8-9 are the best. 

Finding the Right Hashtags

Before getting a custom hashtag for your business, you have to be sure to do your research first so that you don’t end up using a hashtag that’s previously related to other causes with which you’d prefer not to be associated. Check whether the hashtag has not been grabbed already for unrelated campaigns, hot topics, or other organisations you’d rather not get related to, through a simple search on Twitter as well as on Instagram.

Short, simple, relevant, and easy to spell. It should resonate with your audience and reflect your brand clearly. If it’s too long, confusing or hard to remember, people are unlikely to use it, and it will fail to gain traction.

To give that new hashtag campaign a good kick-start, you might want to consider offering an incentive. For example, maybe run a giveaway where your followers can enter by posting using your hashtag. It’s a total engagement booster and totally spreads the word organically as well.

Using existing hashtags encompasses doing your homework to choose the active and relevant ones. Look at their frequency, the type of content that accompanies them, and how your brand can slide into that conversation. Interacting with those hashtags — commenting, liking, or replying to posts — can ‘up’ the visibility and engagement with your own content.

Used properly, hashtags can certainly wire your brand into trending conversations or even help you kick off a new one. Whether you’re on Twitter, Instagram, or whatever other platform, a well-thought-out hashtag strategy can grow your reach and strengthen your brand.