Hashtag: 10 basic tags for you to use betterby Team AllYourVideogames | Nov 27, 2022 | Social Networks | 2
A hashtag is no longer a novelty in the virtual world. Despite having emerged and become popular on Twitter, today it is used in virtually all social networks, especially Instagram.
In the beginning, hashtags were just a way of classifying topics on Twitter and finding more easily who was talking about the same topic.
Today, even companies put the hashtag in their posts. But did you know that using hashtags has a function?
There are those who put them in their posts just to "get into the trend", without even realizing that they could use this resource in favor of their business's digital marketing strategy.
WHAT IS HASHTAG?
Hashtag is a combination of two English words: hash, which means tic-tac-toe and tag, which means label.
The symbol # is very well known – and so called by many people – as a tic-tac-toe game, even though its real name is hash. Or sharp, in the case of musicians.
The fact is that, in the world of social networks, we can define the hashtag as a word or phrase preceded by the tic-tac-toe symbol.
But why a tag? Simple: because each and every subject that uses hashtags is categorized and organized.
After all, the hashtag creates a link, and when you click on it, you are taken to all the posts that also have that categorization.
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF HASHTAG?
Despite giving a different touch to the post, especially on Instagram, hashtags are not just an adornment. Its main objective is to help people and companies reach an even larger audience.
In addition, they also serve to classify posts, in order to leave them categorized under the same theme.
Imagine the following situation: you need to know what is being published about stray dogs. Just type in the search #caesviralatas and you have access to all the images and posts made on this topic.
For companies, the hashtag helps to discover what has been said about a topic or niche and also to reach new audiences. Generating sales and finding out what your target audience likes is also what hashtags do.
The detail is that, in each social network, the hashtag has a purpose:
No instagram: is the creation of communities and also a short description of a published content of photo or video;
On Facebook: It has the same function as on Instagram, but it has not yet become so popular. So most users don't use it;
On Twitter: the goal is the categorization of posts, so much so that we have Trending Topics signaling the most talked about topics.
HOW TO USE HASHTAG?
To use and even create a hashtag is simple. Just put the hash sign (#) followed by a word, phrase or even emoji that represents your post.
Based on what we see on social media sites, the “official” rules for creating hashtags are:
- It needs to be written as a single word, with no spaces;
- You can include numbers, but punctuation marks and special characters (like $ and %) don't work.
- You can use uppercase or lowercase letters and alternate between them. This does not affect the use or search of the hashtag. What really changes one is when you use accents.
Learn More: Turning words into money
So #paodebata, for example, is one hashtag and #paodebata is another. Both mean the same thing and may have different publications.
However, care is needed. You may not put any words or hashtags that are trendy, trendy, in your posts.
I mean, you can, but you shouldn't!
Everything that is placed in a publication needs to relate to what is written or displayed through images and videos. Otherwise, it won't make sense for your business.
What we mean is that there are some “rules of good use of hashtags” and you need to use common sense when making your publications, even so that they do not have the opposite effect: harm your post.
TIPS ON HOW TO USE HASHTAG
So that you don't mess up on social media, we've separated some tips on how to use and take advantage of the best hashtags for your business:
1. SEARCH WHICH RELATE TO YOUR CONTENT
Using hashtags is not just about putting it into practice. Before starting to apply in your business, you will have to do a good research.
First, list words that represent what you do or have to do with your product or service. Then search social media for them with the hashtag.
For example, you are an independent author who sells your books. Search for general hashtags like #livro, #autornacional, #literaturanacional. Or even more niche like #autorescuritibanos, and so on.
2. LOOK AT THE COMPETITION
Do you know which hashtags your competitors are using? Are they getting feedback on likes and comments?
Look at the more general hashtags related to your persona and see which ones you can add to your social networks.
3. BET MORE ON SPECIFIC HASHTAGS AND NOT ON GENERIC
Very generic tags like, for example, #dog, #love, #trip, can even be used.
But if you search for them (as we said in the first tip), you will see that there are millions of publications. So the chance that yours will stand out is very slim.
Our tip is to think of something a little more specific, that is connected to your business and that makes it easier for people to find you.
For example: #FestasCuritiba or #MaquiagemCuritiba are more specific than #parties and #makeup.
A tip to find out which hashtags are most used by a particular business or niche is by using hashtag generator apps.
4. USE THOSE THAT HAVE TO DO WITH YOUR POST
While searching, you will see the most popular hashtags, which are the ones that have a high volume of posts that day.
Still, don't use just because they are the most used hashtags on other social networks. Everything you write in a caption needs to relate to the post.
For example, if you're talking about a pie from your store, you can use hashtags like #strawberry pie #cakeshop. But not #TBT or #Journalist Day.
As much as they are on the rise at that moment, they are not related to pies and rarely will someone come to your business through this type of hashtag.
5. WORK WITH YOUR LOCATION
Instead of just putting #ice cream, why not insert #SorvetesCuritiba or #SorvetesSP in your post? This makes it easier for people to know in which city your business is located.
This tip even goes for popular neighborhoods and regions: #SorvetenaPaulista #SorvetenoAltodaXV.
It's also a great way to find your profile in search, because if I feel like having an ice cream in my neighborhood or city, I can search for the hashtag on Instagram and visit the profile.
6. DO NOT WRITE TOO MANY WORDS
#You don't need to write a huge sentence in a single hashtag
Although you probably understood the message we put above, hardly anyone will get to your business profile searching for such a big hashtag.
So be objective!
7. DO NOT PUT # IN EACH WORD
#if #you #do #it #are #doing it wrong
Remember what we said before in this article: each hashtag will become a link that unites all publications on that subject.
By putting each word as a # you are just wasting characters from your post.
8. NO EXAGGERATION
Each social network imposes its limit on the maximum number of tags you can put in a post. On Instagram, for example, you can use up to 30 hashtags in the caption of a post.
However, many experts indicate that you should not abuse and use them all, as this worsens the range. So it's worth what we said before: use common sense!
No exaggeration, always focus on what is essential.
9. CREATE ONE FOR YOUR BRAND
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to search for posts from a particular brand just by searching its name preceded by tic-tac-toe? Plus, it's a great way to engage your audience.
For example, the Havaianas brand. If you search for #havaianas, you will find several people using and showing the company's products. They even launch specific hashtags for campaigns or new collections, such as #PorDiasMaisHavaianas.
Then create a tag for your brand and encourage your customers to use it. That way, more people will know who you are.
10. SEARCH BEFORE POSTING
Have you chosen which tags will be part of your publication? So, do some research on their meaning.
There are cases where tags are used in an ironic or negative way and you don't want to associate that image with your business, do you?
Not to mention that some were banned by Instagram, for example, and this can cause your account to be punished and have restricted engagement, the famous shadowban.
So it's always good to research!
Now that you know what a hashtag is and how you can use it in your posts on social networks, you can also check out our post with the 100 most used tags in our country and in the world.
Hashtags aren't the only ones that require care in a post. Other elements in Instagram posts also demand attention.
That's why we've selected the 35 apps for Instagram, with the most diverse uses such as: photo and video editing, scheduling posts, reports, Instagram Stories, among others.
