Hashtags have existed since 2007. The idea came from a product designer, Chris Messina, who pitched it via Twitter (now X).
The idea stemmed from Messina’s desire to develop a group organizing framework on the platform. Internet chat rooms inspired the concept with labels bearing the pound symbol.
Since then, hashtags have evolved and played a key role in social media, notably in social media marketing. With Instagram recommending using only 3 to 5 hashtags per post, we ask: Do hashtags still hold relevance?
Are hashtags still “trending?”
After their introduction, hashtags’ role expanded from their primary purpose. They are now commonly used for marketing and branding, among other uses.
Some may argue that hashtags do not provide the same impact as they did before; however, if used correctly, hashtags are still effective.
Nowadays, hashtags remain one of the top tools to boost discoverability, especially for organic content. It is essential to ensure the use of targeted and relevant hashtags. A clear and well-planned strategy would help make this possible.
Building on this, the strategy must include hashtag plans tailored to each platform and its best practices. According to SocialPilot, the approach for each platform should be as follows:
FACEBOOK HASHTAGS
Facebook adopted hashtags in 2013, a bit late in the “hashtag game.” Nonetheless, hashtags serve as a way for Facebook users to segregate their topics of interest easily.
Along with the recommended 3-5 weekly posts, it would be advisable to associate 2-3 hashtags on these. The hashtags to be included must be mainly oriented toward the message or topic the post aims to convey to boost more reach.
LINKEDIN HASHTAGS
The use of formal and professional hashtags must be practiced on LinkedIn. It would be ideal to incorporate hashtags on post captions on this platform for a more “seamless” approach.
2-5 posts every week are recommended for this platform, with 3-5 hashtags preferred for each. As stated above, because LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, it is best to avoid overusing hashtags.
TIKTOK HASHTAGS
TikTok is a popular platform for short, entertaining, and informative videos. Hashtags play a significant role in the platform’s discoverability.
Users often use hashtags on this platform for ‘challenges,’ driving more engagement in the content. Sharing 1-4 posts daily, along with 4- 5 hashtags on each, would go a long way in improving the TikTok posts’ visibility, reach, and interactions.
X HASHTAGS
X (formerly Twitter) is known as the platform that “started it all—” and to this day, it is considered to be a primary feature of the said platform. On X, there is a designated tab wherein a compilation of trending topics may be explored.
In the recommended 5-20 daily posts, 1-2 hashtags should be included in these.
INSTAGRAM HASHTAGS
On Instagram, hashtags are utilized to categorize content shared on the platform; Instagram also uses these hashtags to determine what content to push to the appropriate audience. Moreover, hashtags provide easy access for Instagram to determine what content to show on the relevant user’s ‘Explore’ page.
As stated earlier, Instagram suggests that users incorporate 3-5 hashtags in their posts. Touching more on this, having 2-5 posts per week would be optimal.
Hashtags in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
As in other parts of the world, hashtags are widely used in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Social media users and brands alike use hashtags to categorize their posts, ensuring that they reach the right audience. Posts with hashtags tend to receive more engagements due to the enhanced visibility that these drive.
Furthermore, aside from brands, events that take place within the regions typically have hashtags associated with them—these are often referred to as “branded hashtags.” Branded hashtags aid in increasing brand exposure, which encourages the audience to produce user-generated content or “UGCs.”
Key Takeaways
Social media trends are ever-changing– adaptability plays a significant role in maintaining relevance and “in the now” in today’s digital world. For now and the foreseeable future, hashtags are here to stay; they will continue to be discoverability and visibility drivers; it is a matter of how you would be able to optimize their use on your brand.
Moreover, hashtags are just one of many things to consider when managing and running a social media page. They should be part of a “hard set” social media plan, which is an important tool that serves as your backbone.
Helping you formulate this plan and get you more social is where digitalfarm, Adweek’s 34th fastest-growing social media agency, truly excels. From developing social-specific strategies to creating engaging content, our team is dedicated to maximizing your social media visibility and presence and igniting meaningful interactions and connections to your audience.
To get started, contact us today for a free consultation.