What is a hashtag?
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2025 9:53 am
A hashtag is a way to gather social media discussions about a specific topic, making it easier for users to find content that interests them.
Originally, in Anglo-Saxon countries, the hash symbol on the keyboard was used to enter a number.
In the summer of 2007, Chris Messina was the first to use it in a hashtag. The web marketing specialist arrived at Twitter's offices with an idea: on this platform characterized by conciseness, why not use the hashtag to group tweets sharing the same topic? Since that day, the question "What is the hashtag for?" has taken on a whole new dimension.
Since then, the use of hashtags, their reach, and their effectiveness have continued to grow. Today, france phone number data hashtags are no longer limited to X/Twitter. They are used on almost every social media platform to gather content around a topic, event, theme, or discussion.
Any good social media strategy should combine popular hashtags, relevant hashtags, and branded hashtags.
The ABCs of hashtags
A hashtag is always preceded by the # symbol , but it won't work if you add spaces, punctuation marks, or other special characters.
Make sure your accounts are public. Otherwise, the content you add hashtags to will only be visible to your followers.
Don't cram too many words together. The best hashtags are often relatively short and easy to remember.
Use relevant and specific hashtags. If your hashtags are too cryptic, other users will have difficulty finding them and likely won't use them.
Limit the number of hashtags you use. 'More' isn't always better. Posts full of hashtags tend to come across as spammy.
Hashtag Generator: Our Free Tool
No time to create your own hashtags?
Our free hashtag generator suggests hashtags in five different languages. Give it a try!
Warning: This tool may display inaccurate or offensive content that does not reflect the views of Hootsuite. You are solely responsible for the use of any content generated using this tool, including its compliance with applicable laws and third-party rights.
Why use hashtags?
Hashtags are a great way to connect with people who share your interests. They can be used for just about anything.
For example, if you run a small business , you could use hashtags to promote your products or services.
You could also use it to raise awareness for a cause, start a discussion or stay up to date with current trends and current events.
Here are some additional reasons to incorporate hashtags into your social media strategy.
Increase your followers' engagement
By incorporating hashtags into your posts, you're joining discussions taking place on the platform in question. And most importantly, your posts are visible within these discussions.
This can help you get more social media engagement, including likes, shares, comments, and even new followers.
advertising for new issues of Georges Magazine on Instagram with hashtags in the post caption
Source :@magazinegeorges on Instagram
Build brand awareness with branded hashtags
Creating a branded hashtag can be effective in promoting your business and starting a conversation.
A branded hashtag can be as simple as your business name or incorporate a slogan.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C8lhqYFPury
Sephora is a perfect example of a brand that has successfully built a loyal fan base. Sephora works with different types of influencers, regularly shares user-generated content, and has a branded hashtag to rally its fans: #SephoraSquad.
Originally, in Anglo-Saxon countries, the hash symbol on the keyboard was used to enter a number.
In the summer of 2007, Chris Messina was the first to use it in a hashtag. The web marketing specialist arrived at Twitter's offices with an idea: on this platform characterized by conciseness, why not use the hashtag to group tweets sharing the same topic? Since that day, the question "What is the hashtag for?" has taken on a whole new dimension.
Since then, the use of hashtags, their reach, and their effectiveness have continued to grow. Today, france phone number data hashtags are no longer limited to X/Twitter. They are used on almost every social media platform to gather content around a topic, event, theme, or discussion.
Any good social media strategy should combine popular hashtags, relevant hashtags, and branded hashtags.
The ABCs of hashtags
A hashtag is always preceded by the # symbol , but it won't work if you add spaces, punctuation marks, or other special characters.
Make sure your accounts are public. Otherwise, the content you add hashtags to will only be visible to your followers.
Don't cram too many words together. The best hashtags are often relatively short and easy to remember.
Use relevant and specific hashtags. If your hashtags are too cryptic, other users will have difficulty finding them and likely won't use them.
Limit the number of hashtags you use. 'More' isn't always better. Posts full of hashtags tend to come across as spammy.
Hashtag Generator: Our Free Tool
No time to create your own hashtags?
Our free hashtag generator suggests hashtags in five different languages. Give it a try!
Warning: This tool may display inaccurate or offensive content that does not reflect the views of Hootsuite. You are solely responsible for the use of any content generated using this tool, including its compliance with applicable laws and third-party rights.
Why use hashtags?
Hashtags are a great way to connect with people who share your interests. They can be used for just about anything.
For example, if you run a small business , you could use hashtags to promote your products or services.
You could also use it to raise awareness for a cause, start a discussion or stay up to date with current trends and current events.
Here are some additional reasons to incorporate hashtags into your social media strategy.
Increase your followers' engagement
By incorporating hashtags into your posts, you're joining discussions taking place on the platform in question. And most importantly, your posts are visible within these discussions.
This can help you get more social media engagement, including likes, shares, comments, and even new followers.
advertising for new issues of Georges Magazine on Instagram with hashtags in the post caption
Source :@magazinegeorges on Instagram
Build brand awareness with branded hashtags
Creating a branded hashtag can be effective in promoting your business and starting a conversation.
A branded hashtag can be as simple as your business name or incorporate a slogan.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C8lhqYFPury
Sephora is a perfect example of a brand that has successfully built a loyal fan base. Sephora works with different types of influencers, regularly shares user-generated content, and has a branded hashtag to rally its fans: #SephoraSquad.