Hashtags

A hashtag, recognizable by the "#" symbol (double cross), is a keyword or phrase used in social media to categorize content and make it findable. By placing a hashtag in front of a word or group of words, it becomes a linked keyword that allows users to search for similar content.

The term "hashtag" first became popular on Twitter / X. Chris Messina suggested using the double cross for groups in 2007, which was quickly picked up by the Twitter community. Today, hashtags are widely used on various social media, including Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

• Categorization of content: Hashtags are used to organize content thematically. Posts can thus be easily found by users searching for a specific hashtag.

• Trend identification: Trending hashtags indicate which topics are currently popular on social media. This enables users to find out about current developments.

• Increasing reach: The use of relevant hashtags can increase the visibility of a post. People searching for specific topics will come across the relevant content.

• Community building: Hashtags encourage the formation of communities around shared interests. People can exchange ideas and network on specific topics.

• Relevance: Use hashtags that match your content.

• Uniqueness: Don't just use generic hashtags, create unique ones to represent your brand or campaign.

• Limitation: Don't use too many hashtags in a post to avoid spam. The optimal number varies depending on the platform.

• Misuse: Hashtags can be misused for spam by being used in irrelevant posts.

• Flooding: In popular hashtag streams, there can be a flood of content, which makes the visibility of individual posts more difficult.