Hashtag selection
Hashtag selection must not be taken for granted. Hashtags influence how we discover content, build communities, amplify messages, and organize information. They still have a role to play. However, hashtags are being challenged by tagging systems and other techniques from the social media platforms. It is essential to keep up to date with what is relevant from each platform when it comes to content discovery.
It is important not to get into a rut where you use the same hashtags all the time. Yes, it can happen, and I have fallen into that trap over the years.
Enhanced discoverability with Hashtags
One of the primary functions of hashtags is to enhance discoverability. By categorizing content under specific hashtags, users can easily find and engage with posts related to their interests. Whether it’s a trending topic, a niche community, or a popular event, hashtags serve as a virtual roadmap, guiding users to relevant content amidst the vast sea of information on the internet. How many times have you used an event hashtag to discover the opinions of other delegates. Who has used the hashtag #SXSW?
Hashtag selection must not be taken for granted
Hashtag selection must not be taken for granted. I recall many years ago an event manager telling me what they had selected as an event hashtag 24 hours before it was going live. They remembered I always said I want to double check everything and not take hashtags for granted. Just as well. The hashtag they selected translated to “laughing with tears”. Not the best choice. Naturally they changed it!
My advice is to..
- Do not use up a valuable hashtag slot with your company name unless you have a campaign designed to boost usage and recognition of it.
- Do not add too many hashtags. 3 to 4 is good
- Set lists of hashtags are good if you have them for brands or product/services. Otherwise, always check what is fresh, new and trending for the area or business vertical that the post is related too.
- Do not “hijack” trending hashtags that have nothing to do with you. I recall a high street store promoting tweets selling furniture using a hashtag from a crisis in Iran. It created more bad publicity than good.
Social listening and trend analysis
Brands and marketers leverage hashtags for social listening and trend analysis. Yes we know this. By monitoring relevant hashtags, businesses can gain insights into customer preferences, sentiments, and emerging trends. I regularly use social listening to decide on the most relevant hashtags to get views from people interested in the topic area. The only set list of hashtags I agree to use is brand or product related ones.
Hashtag selection using Hootsuite
Do you use a social media management tool that helps you to select hashtags? I use a few tools privately and for work. Here is a short video of the process of hashtag selection by using Hootsuite. Nice and easy.
Key takeaways
- Do research so that you use the best hashtags for each post, so that it attracts people looking to learn more about that particular aspect.
- Do not over use hashtags. For example adding 10 to a LinkedIn post.
- Do not assume a hashtag used several years ago is now still used by the same target audience as the meaning may have changed.
- Some platforms now emphasis other techniques other than hashtags like tagging and keywords used as overlays. Check what each platform uses.
- Capitalize the first letter in all the words used in your hashtags.
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Hi Clive, I tend to use just one hashtag on X or LinkedIn these days and up to ten on Instagram. Do you use any hashtag tools as well? I used to use some but generally do my own research or help from AI.
Hi Lisa. I generally use up to 3 hashtags on most channels. For Instagram, like you, up to 10. I am writing a follow up post to this one with more info about tool selection and other related aspects. Over the years I have trailed many Hashtag tools. However my favourite is indeed the Hootsuite AI assisted hashtag selection tool that this blog is about.