Why Are Hashtags Helpful? 10 Reasons To Use Them Now -

Are you using hashtags in your social media posts? If not, you’re really missing out on some significant benefits. Hashtags are a very powerful tool that can help you reach a broader audience, increase engagement, and enhance your online presence.

In this article, I will explain why hashtags are helpful and why you should start using them now.

Table of Contents

What are hashtags?

10 reasons why to use hashtags

How do you effectively use hashtags on social media?

Conclusion

What are hashtags?

Hashtags are phrases or words preceded by a pound sign (#) used to categorize content on social media platforms.

Why are Hashtags Helpful_ 10 Reasons to Use Them Now

They were first used on Twitter in 2007 and have since become popular on other platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

Hashtags allow users to easily find and follow specific topics, interests, or events. For example, if you're interested in fitness, you can search for the hashtag #fitness and find all posts related to this topic.

Why are hashtags helpful?

Hashtags are helpful because they allow users to find content that's relevant to them. If you post a photo or video on Instagram, you can add up to around 30 hashtags in the caption or comment section.

When people search for these hashtags, your post will appear in their feed.

This is how brands promote their products and services—by creating content around popular topics and engaging with consumers who have similar interests. What's more, hashtags make your post more discoverable.

If you're not using hashtags on Instagram, it can be difficult for people to find your content since there are so many posts being uploaded every minute.

Using relevant hashtags will help your post reach a wider audience and boost engagement rates.

10 reasons why to use hashtags

Now that we understand the benefits of using hashtags let's dive into 10 specific reasons why you should use them on social media:

Reason 1: Increases visibility

Hashtags can help your posts reach a broader audience beyond your followers.

When you use hashtags, your posts become visible to people who are searching for that specific hashtag or following that hashtag. This increases the chances of your post being discovered by potential customers or clients.

Reason 2: Boosts engagement

Using hashtags can increase follower engagement on your posts. According to research, posts with at least one hashtag get 12.6% more engagement than those without.

Hashtags encourage people to like, comment, and share your content, which can lead to more followers and, ultimately, more business.

Reason 3: Builds brand awareness

Hashtags can be used to create brand awareness and promote your business.

By using a branded hashtag, you can encourage your followers to share their experiences using your product or service, which can lead to more user-generated content and free advertising for your business.

Reason 4: Drives traffic to your website

Hashtags can drive traffic to your website or blog. By including relevant hashtags in every post, you can attract people who are interested in your topic and encourage them to visit your website for more information.

Reason 5: Helps with content curation

Hashtags can be used to curate content related to your industry or niche. By following relevant hashtags, you can find and share content that your followers will find interesting and valuable.

Reason 6: Connects you with industry leaders

Hashtags can connect you with industry leaders and influencers. By using hashtags related to your industry, you can engage with others who are interested in the same topics and potentially collaborate with them on future projects.

Reason 7: Encourages user-generated content

Hashtags can encourage user-generated content. By creating a branded hashtag, you can encourage your followers to share their experiences using your product or service.

This can lead to more user-generated content, which can help promote your brand and attract new customers.

Reason 8: Helps with social listening

Hashtags can be used for social listening. By monitoring relevant hashtags, you can track what people are saying about your brand, competitors, or industry. This can provide valuable insights that can help you improve your business strategy.

Reason 9: Enhances SEO

Hashtags can enhance your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) efforts. When you use hashtags on your posts, they become searchable on social media platforms.

This can increase the visibility of your content and ultimately improve your search engine rankings.

Reason 10: Creates a sense of community

Hashtags can create a sense of community among your followers. By using hashtags, you can connect with people who share the same interests or beliefs as you.

This can lead you to a more engaged and loyal following, which can ultimately benefit your business.

How do you effectively use hashtags on social media?

Now that you know why hashtags are helpful, let's explore how to use them effectively on various social media platforms.

Hashtags on Facebook

Facebook may not be the first platform that comes to mind when you think of hashtags, but they can still be effective in increasing your visibility and engagement.

Here are a number of tips and tricks to help you use hashtags on Facebook effectively:

Use relevant and specific hashtags: When using hashtags on Facebook, it's important to use ones that are relevant to your post and specific to your niche or industry. This will help you connect with the right audience and increase engagement.
Don't overuse hashtags: While using hashtags can be beneficial, too many can hurt your visibility and engagement. Stick to 1-2 hashtags per post and make sure they are relevant to your content.
Use hashtags that are already popular on Facebook: Similar to other social media platforms; Facebook has popular hashtags that are commonly used by users. Using these hashtags can help you increase visibility and reach a wider audience.
Create your own branded hashtag: Making your branded hashtag can help you increase your brand awareness and encourage user-generated content. This can be a hashtag specific to your business or campaign, such as #mybakerystory or #bakeoffchallenge.

By using these tips, you can effectively use hashtags on Facebook to increase your visibility, engagement, and brand awareness.

Hashtags on Instagram

Instagram is one of the most widely popular platforms out there, with over 1 billion active users. It is a visually-driven platform where people share photos and videos, and hashtags play a crucial role in content discovery.

If you're not using hashtags on Instagram, you're missing out on the opportunity to reach a wider audience and increase engagement.

Here are some useful ways how to use hashtags effectively on Instagram:

Use a mix of niche and well-known hashtags: Popular hashtags have a high search volume, which means they can help you reach a larger audience. However, they are also highly competitive, which means your post can get buried quickly.

Niche hashtags, on the other hand, have a smaller search volume but are more specific and targeted. Using a combination of both can help you reach the right audience and increase engagement.
Use around 30 hashtags per post (but make sure they are relevant): Instagram allows you to use up to 30 hashtags per post. While you don't have to use all 30, using a good number of relevant hashtags can help your post get discovered by people who are interested in your content.
Create your branded hashtag for your business or campaign: A branded hashtag is a unique hashtag that is specific to your brand or campaign. It can help you increase brand awareness, encourage user-generated content, and make it easier for people to find your content.
Use hashtags in your Instagram Stories and bio: Instagram Stories are an effective way to increase engagement, and using hashtags in your Stories can help you reach a wider audience.

In summary, hashtags are an essential tool for Instagram marketing.

By using a mix of popular and niche hashtags, creating a branded hashtag, and using hashtags in your Stories and bio, you can increase your reach, engagement, and brand awareness on Instagram.

Hashtags on Twitter

Twitter is a platform that is heavily reliant on hashtags, and it's where hashtags were first popularized. Twitter's character limit encourages users to be succinct, so it's important to use hashtags effectively to make the most of your limited space.

Here are four tips for using hashtags on Twitter effectively:

Use 1-2 relevant hashtags per tweet: Using too many hashtags can make your tweet look cluttered and spammy. Stick to using only a few relevant hashtags that accurately describe your tweet and will help your tweet be seen by the right audience.
Use popular hashtags to increase visibility: Using popular hashtags on Twitter can help increase the visibility of your tweet. However, make sure the hashtags you use are relevant to your tweet and your brand.
Use hashtags for events or trending topics: Joining in on conversations around events or trending topics can help your tweets get seen by a wider audience. Look for trending hashtags related to your industry or topic and use them to join the conversation.
Participate in Twitter chats using relevant hashtags: Twitter chats are an effective way to connect with others in your industry and grow your following. Participating in Twitter chats using relevant hashtags can help you find and connect with like-minded individuals and expand your reach on Twitter.

By using hashtags effectively on Twitter, you can increase your visibility, grow your following, and engage with your target audience.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different hashtags to find the ones that work best for your brand and your goals on Twitter.

Hashtags on TikTok

TikTok is a platform that has exploded in popularity and renown over the past few years, with millions of users worldwide.

It's a unique platform that allows users to create short-form videos and share them with a wide audience.

The platform relies heavily on hashtags for content discovery, so it's essential to use them effectively if you want to increase your visibility on the platform.

Here are four tips for using hashtags on TikTok effectively:

Use 3-5 relevant hashtags per video: TikTok recommends using at least 3-5 hashtags per video to help it get discovered by a wider audience. However, it's essential to make sure that the hashtags you use are relevant to the content of your video.
Use a mix of niche and well-known hashtags: Using popular hashtags can help your content get discovered by a wider audience, but it also means that your content will be competing with a lot of other content.
Create your branded hashtag for your business or campaign: Creating a branded hashtag is an excellent way to encourage more user-generated content and increase brand awareness on the platform. Make sure to include your branded hashtag in your bio and use it in your videos.
Participate in challenges using relevant hashtags: TikTok is known for its viral challenges, and participating in them is a great way to increase your visibility on the platform.

Overall, using hashtags effectively on TikTok can help increase your visibility and engagement on the platform.

Make sure to use related and specific hashtags, participate in challenges, and create a branded hashtag for your business or campaign to see the best results.

Hashtags on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is one of the most used social media platforms for professionals and businesses. It's a great place to network, find job opportunities, and showcase your expertise. Here are four tips on how to effectively use hashtags on LinkedIn:

Use 1-3 relevant hashtags per post: On LinkedIn, less is more when it comes to using hashtags. Using way too many hashtags can come across as spammy or unprofessional. Stick to using 1-3 relevant hashtags per post to avoid overwhelming your audience and keep your content focused.
Use hashtags for industry-specific events or topics: LinkedIn is a great place to stay up-to-date with the latest industry news and trends. Using hashtags for industry-specific events or topics can help you reach a broader audience and establish yourself as a thought leader in your chosen industry.
Use popular hashtags to increase visibility: While it's important to use relevant and specific hashtags, using popular hashtags can help increase your visibility more on the platform. Do some research on the most popular hashtags in your industry and incorporate them into your content strategy.
Create your branded hashtag for your business or campaign: Creating a branded hashtag for your business or campaign can help you increase your brand awareness and encourage user-generated content.

Make sure your branded hashtag is unique and memorable, and encourage your followers to use it when sharing content related to your brand.

Overall, hashtags are a powerful tool that can help you increase your visibility and reach on social media platforms. By using related and specific hashtags, you can connect with your target audience and expand your online presence.

Remember to use hashtags in moderation and focus on creating high-quality content that gives value to your audience. By doing so, you'll be well on your way to building a strong and engaged following on social media.

Hashtags on Pinterest

Pinterest is a unique social media platform that's primarily focused on visual content. With its user base of over 450 million active users, it's a great platform to showcase your products, ideas, and services.

The use of hashtags on Pinterest can help you reach a larger audience and drive more engagement to your pins. Here's how you can use hashtags on Pinterest effectively:

Use up to 20 relevant hashtags per pin: Adding hashtags to your pins can make them more discoverable in searches. However, be sure not to overdo it. Using way too many hashtags can make your content appear spammy and reduce your credibility.
Use a mix of niche and well-known hashtags: It's essential to use a combination of popular and niche hashtags to increase your reach. Popular hashtags can help you get noticed by a broader audience, while niche hashtags can help you connect with your target audience.

For instance, if you sell handmade jewelry, using popular hashtags like #fashion and #accessories can help you get noticed by people interested in fashion.

But using niche hashtags like #handmadejewelry or #customjewelry can help you attract people looking for unique and personalized pieces.
Use hashtags for seasonal or trending topics: Using hashtags for seasonal or trending topics can help you increase engagement and attract new followers.

For instance, if you're a food blogger, using hashtags like #Thanksgiving or #HolidayRecipes during the holiday season can help you get noticed by people searching for holiday recipes.
Create your branded hashtag for your business or campaign: Creating a branded hashtag for your business or campaign can help you build brand awareness and encourage user-generated content. A branded hashtag is a unique hashtag that's specific to your business or campaign.

It can be used by you and your followers to categorize and track content related to your brand or campaign. For instance, if you're a bakery, you can create a branded hashtag like #SweetBakeryDelights to promote your products and encourage customers to share pictures of their purchases.

Using hashtags on Pinterest can help you increase your visibility, reach, and engagement. Using relevant and specific hashtags can attract your target audience and connect with people interested in your content.

Conclusion

Hashtags are a powerful and effective tool that can help you increase visibility, engagement, and brand awareness on social media. By using relevant and specific hashtags, you can connect with your target audience and expand your reach.

Remember to use hashtags in moderation and create a branded hashtag for your business or campaign to encourage user-generated content. So start using hashtags now and see how they can help grow your online presence and business.