Using hashtags is not a new concept. In fact, the first hashtag was used on Twitter in 2007. As the popularity grew, other social media platforms adopted the use of hashtags. Nowadays, it is rare to see a post without them. Some of us may still be asking ourselves… Why are hashtags used? What do they do? Why are hashtags helpful?
Reasons To Use Hashtags
- Follow trends/People
- Expand your audience
- Know your competitors
- Branding
- Promotion
- Activism
These reasons are ways you can get the most out of using social media and are ways to expand your online presence quickly. All by merely hashtagging!
Why Are Hashtags Important?
The use of hashtags has grown exponentially over the past 13 years and has become a great way to search social media platforms for specific topics. Although many would say that they are overused, when hashtags are used properly, they become an essential part of digital marketing. You can use hashtags to promote companies, products, trends, and even yourself. By using the most popular hashtags, you link your posts with other like posts, and by following a hashtag, you can stay up to date with the topic on your newsfeed.
Using Hashtags To Grow Your Audience
Some would say that hashtags are not that important, but they can help grow your online audience if you use them correctly. Knowing which hashtags are the most popular and ones that relate to your post can attract new followers. It will also show up on the tag page where people who search for a specific tag can be directed to your post, leading to more views. For example, using #tbt will automatically post to the #tbt page, where it becomes available to view by the public instead of just people who follow you on social media.
Hashtags For Promotion
One of the primary uses for hashtags is businesses using them to create a targeted campaign easily. Targeted marketing identifies an audience that is likely to buy services or products and promotes them to that audience. Knowing who your social media audience is, is key to using the right hashtag. By knowing what your audience is following, you can use the appropriate hashtags to reach them and their followers.
Hashtags For Branding
The success of your brand is having visibility. By using hashtags, your brand or product is visible to a larger audience. Utilizing hashtags is a simple way to create brand awareness for a new company just starting out or a company that is trying to reach more customers/followers. Although using a more frequently used hashtag will expand your audience, creating a new one or by using one that is less used, you are creating a situation where your brand or product is in more of a spotlight when searched. You can also encourage your customers and followers to use the hashtag you have created as a way to “spread the word.”
Hashtags for Activism
Another reason for using hashtags is to spread awareness on certain issues or events. These can range from a community service event to a political movement. Some companies like to stay neutral when it comes to politics, while others gain popularity by sharing their stance on social media platforms. Hashtags are a great way to show your support for any cause.
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With a better understanding of the importance of hashtags and why hashtags are helpful, your social media presence can grow. Research shows that the optimal number of hashtags to be used in a post is eleven. Although some social media platforms allow up to 30, your time can be better spent by researching a smaller number of appropriate hashtags. If you are a business owner and are looking for more ways to expand your online presence, check out all of Weber Creative Media’s services by visiting our website today!
