SEO glossary: Hashtag

 

Where does the hashtag come from?

The term "hashtag" is made up of two terms :

 

• "Hash", English for "hash" or "double cross
• "Tag", English for "keyword"

 

If you want to translate "hashtag" 1:1 into German, you can speak of a "hashtag keyword". However, the term "Verschlagwortung" is much more common if you want to stick with the German language. That already says a lot about its use.

 

Hashtags were first used in the IRC chat system to mark so-called "channels". Users were able to chat in certain channels using the channel name preceded by a hash #.

 

The hashtag first appeared on Twitter (now X) in 2007. An internet activist suggested using hashtags to mark important keywords. Two years later, there were already links via the hashtags on X.

 

What are the benefits of hashtags?

First and foremost, hashtags are used to find the desired content among millions of posts on social networks. On the other hand, hashtags are also used to track certain topics on social media.

 

The hashtag has become increasingly popular over time. No wonder - after all, more and more people are using the World Wide Web and therefore also social media. The more people log on to social networks, the more hashtags there are. As a brand or company, you benefit from the use of hashtags in the following ways:

 

• Increase reach: You can increase the reach of your social media posts or even make them go viral.
• Reach your target group: Sensibly placed hashtags allow you to reach and pick up your relevant target group. You can also tap into new target groups.
• Finding influencers: Influencer marketing is becoming increasingly relevant for brands. Hashtags allow you to get in touch with suitable influencers who match your products and topics. This may help you find potential partners for a profitable collaboration.
• Brand-specific hashtags: Are you interested in who is talking about your brand and how? Brand-specific hashtags give you the answer!
• Build customer loyalty: With hashtags, you can not only tap into new target groups and gain customers. You can also strengthen the bond with existing customers and users.

 

Hashtags on social media channels

Hashtags are used particularly frequently on social media. Regardless of the platform in question, the hashtag is not only extremely widespread today, but is also considered necessary for every user who wants to build a reach.

 

Nevertheless, the use of hashtags differs depending on the platform.

 

X (formerly Twitter)

The function of linking topics and keywords in the form of hashtags has been available here since 2009. Users can mark words and groups of words with #. However, no spaces or other characters may be entered between the hashtags. Otherwise, only the first word will be linked as a hashtag.

 

Facebook and hashtags

The hashtag has been available on Facebook since 2013 and the function is the same as X (Twitter). The new search bar allows users to search Facebook for specific topics that have been marked accordingly using hashtags.

 

Hashtags on Google+

Google+ has also had hashtags since 2013, where they are displayed as separate tags to the right of a post as a link. Users can click on them directly and go to the relevant topic.

 

Instagram and hashtags

Instagram introduced the hashtag in 2011. Today, it is indispensable when uploading a story, a post or a reel.

 

Hashtags on Pinterest

Since 2017, Pinterest has also had the function of setting hashtags. This is despite the fact that Pinterest is not a social network, but a visual search engine.

 

Of course, hashtags are also possible on other platforms that we have not explicitly mentioned here. Keywording is relevant for every social media platform.

 

 

Online marketing and the hashtag

The hashtag fulfills an important function in online marketing. It is used as a marketing tool to control and promote campaigns. Those who use hashtags in social media campaigns can better evaluate and monitor postings on a defined topic. This makes them a real asset for analysis, which is an integral part of online marketing.

 

Brands and companies can also set their own trends by using hashtags. Hashtags are also being used more and more frequently in TV commercials, as they are becoming increasingly important.

 

Hashtags should not be underestimated in search engine optimization (SEO) either. Especially when the goal is to increase social signals, hashtags in tweets, posts, stories, etc. can be helpful in achieving a high reach.

 

On Twitter (X), for example, you can increase the chance of a re-tweet if you use a popular hashtag within your tweet. This allows you to reach more people and expand your target group.

 

It is also generally worth optimizing your social media profile. This strengthens your page trust and increases the authority of your brand. Nowadays, most companies use social media, so it is almost a must to build up a reach as well. This way, you can increase your competitiveness and appear more reputable.

 

Nevertheless, the use of hashtags is no guarantee of high traffic. traffic. Many other factors also play a role.

 

How do you use hashtags correctly?

For a hashtag to have the desired effect, it is important to use it appropriately. At first glance, it may not seem very complex to add hashtags to posts. After all, all you have to do is place a hash sign # in front of a word and a link to the keyword is automatically created.

 

However, you should use hashtags specifically if you want to use them to increase your reach and achieve other goals. So there are a few more factorsto consider in an online marketing strategy.

 

There are a few basic rules for using hashtags:

 

• Relevance: The hashtags you use should not only reflect trends, but also match your content. Make sure to set relevant and appropriate hashtags, otherwise your content could easily be recognized as spam or lose authority. This will only worsen your visibility online.
• Combination: It's all in the mix. Combine brand-neutral and brand-specific hashtags. If you look at the best performing posts on social media, you'll see exactly that. Unique hashtags are combined with trending hashtags to generate a high reach .
• Conciseness: Be careful not to use hashtags that are too long or too complex. It is better if they are short and easy to understand. Then your followers can use your hashtags much better.
• Frugality: Less is more - not only when it comes to the length of hashtags. You shouldn't go overboard with the quantity either. Just remember that a post should never contain more hashtags than words.
• Trends: Identify trends and set your hashtag accordingly. How do you recognize what's trending? Just take a look at social media influencers or your competitors.