WHERE TO PUT THEM?

A hashtag is a type of metadata tag used on social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other micro blogging services, allowing users to apply dynamic, user-generated tagging which makes it possible for others to easily find messages with a specific theme or content; it allows easy, informal mark-up of folk taxonomy without need of any formal taxonomy or mark-up language.

THE HASH

Seen as a number sign, a US pound sign, or a hash symbol, (#), a hashtag is commonly used to highlight a particular or special word or meaning so that that particular activity can easily be seen by others looking for the exact or similar content or theme. In a simple sense, it is used to automatically classify exact or similar posts or activities for the convenience of other users.

THE FORMAT

So basically, let us say for example you want to post something on social media and you want to put emphasis on a specific topic about your post, this is where a hashtag enters the picture. You first type a hash or pound symbol preceding the topic that you want to be highlighted, making sure that it does NOT include letters with diacritics (a sign, such as an accent or cedilla, which when written above or below a letter indicates a difference in pronunciation from the same letter when unmarked or differently marked), dashes, ampersands, question marks, and other characters.

Your post will then be classified according to the topic that you have highlighted making it easier and more convenient for other users who are searching for the exact or similar topic. That is how a hashtag basically works but as simple as it sounds, there are things that you need to consider when you use a hashtag.

THINGS TO BEAR IN MIND IN USING HASHTAGS:

• A hashtag must begin with a hash character followed by other characters.

  Some of the popular hashtags on Instagram are: #love #ootd #tbt #beauty #cute #fashion #photooftheday #selfie

• Remember to precede the hashtag with a space.

  For example: We travelled to Portugal and Spain! #TravelGoals

• Make sure that it does not include letters with diacritics, dashes, question marks, ampersands, currency symbols, and other special characters.

  So, typing #Beyoncé will NOT give results regarding the singer Beyoncé. You can type #Beyonce instead. Numbers and underscores are allowed though. For example: #Samoa_Travel_2000

• The misuse of hashtags can lead to account suspensions.

  The use of too many hashtags and irrelevant hashtags can distract your followers from the important content.

• Your brand name is NOT needed in every hashtag.

  That’s gonna be an obvious hard selling tactic on your part. Sometimes, you need to use specific hashtags to let other people share their thoughts, talk about a particular topic, and etc. It does not have to be a business promotion at all times.

Hashtags are everywhere!

These are only the basics of what a simple hashtag can do. Hashtags have become widely used and popular that it has become a staple in every social networking posts and activities.