15
Apr
The hashtag is a word that has become fashionable since its use in social networks. But hashtags matter more than you can imagine. Also, it is a compound word from the English language that, in Spanish means “etiqueta.” The tag or hashtag is usually formed by a keyword or a series of words. Their main characteristic is being preceded by the pound sign (#), also called a hashtag.
Did you know that Twitter was the first social network to use hashtags? Well, given the success it had with users, it is currently used in almost all social networks. But, despite this massification, many users are not clear about its real purpose. Nor do they know the correct way to use them.
Some use the most popular tags without even knowing what they are about. This causes incongruent filtration of the information. So, many brands use them to make their content popular, but they don’t do it correctly.
Also, they used to abuse hashtags to gain reach in their content or posts. That’s to say, indexing many tags without knowing that this can be counterproductive. Let’s make a review of topics that determine how hashtags matter in digital marketing.
Hashtags matter in a content marketing strategy
Related to content marketing, hashtags matter to classify content published on social networks. This allows for interactions between the content and users interested in the topic.
According to the above, we can say that they are communication tools. Because they are useful to classify” or identify content in social networks. Let’s see an example:
A Twitter user shares a video about how to use Slideshare and puts the hashtag #Slideshare. All content that includes this word that anyone can find in a filtered way when searching. As a result, you can find only content that references “Slideshare”.
Then, each hashtag used is, so to speak, transformed into a hyperlink. When you click on the link, it will show you all the content related to this word. And you can also use several concatenated words in each tag. For example: #ContentMarketing.
So in the text of a post, you could find something like this:
“Know how to use #ContentMarketing to convert more leads.”
As you can see, you can also use hashtags within the content of posts.
To sum up, using hashtags not only makes it easier to locate a word, topic or content. It also helps to share information or exchange views on some event or article. Now, let’s focus on one aspect that makes that hashtags matter: the trending topic.
A trending topic is a result when hashtags matter
When a large number of people share content with the same hashtag, on Twitter, they turn it into a Trending Topic. The Trending Topic refers to when a lot of people comment on a topic many times. Also, when is in vogue in a region or the whole world.
Hashtags give visibility to publications on social networks. That’s why your brand should use them to promote a special campaign or event.
How and when to use them?
Using a hashtag is quite simple. First, you must identify what is the topic or content you are going to share. Then you must think about what is the keyword for which you would search this information.
As we mentioned before, a hashtag can be a keyword or a series of words. If you choose to use several words, remember that good practices recommend. For instance, using uppercase and lowercase letters. The most commonly used is to capitalize the initial of each word.
Once you identify your keyword or series of keywords, you should put them after the pound sign (#). Of course, you must place it in the text you are going to share in your social network. And something important you should know: spaces are not identified. So, if you are going to write a series of words in your hashtag, they all pasted or together.
Another good practice is to only use a couple per publication. As we mentioned, many brands abuse the use them to increase their visibility. So, don’t make that mistake!
To know which hashtags to use, ask yourself the question:
“With what word or words my audience could search for my content?” As a result, this will help you get your keywords. You should choose few words or the most positioned ones. Also, please don’t repeat words in hashtags. Moreover, only use that relevant word once, otherwise, it’s frowned upon.
A hashtag help to promote events and expectation campaigns
Certainly, you can use hashtags on many occasions. For example, if your company has a launching event, you can use them several times. Besides, hashtags matter when your company has a launch event of a new brand. Because you can position it as a hashtag, using the name of the launch. For example #MyLaunchEvent on Social Media.
On the other hand, did you know that hashtags are also widely used to promote TV series or movies? This way people follow and read the opinion of others. It’s a great way to promote expectation campaigns. And this we will see in some tips that show us that hashtags matter.
Tips for using hashtags
Now we will tell you what you should do to index them successfully:
Use them with specific words
If for example, you want to know who won the Oscar, don’t put a hashtag like #WhoWonTheOscarBestActress. Rather use specific words, like #OscarAwards, #OscarWinner, or #BestActress.
Doing this will reduce the search. In addition, you use the least amount of words and are specific to the information you want to get.
Use a single hashtag for a series of words
If you use one hashtag for each word, when you search for it, it will add the content to several research points. So, do not lead you to what you want. For example, if you do this: #Winner #Oscar #Winner. You will have trouble finding out if your favorite actor finally has a statuette.
Use them only that relate to your content
Using a hashtag because it’s trending won’t do you much good. The hashtag has a strong relationship to the content you are sharing. Otherwise, you will generate confusion and it will be banned.
Use hashtags with good spelling
You must check your spelling before indexing them in your texts or captions. Hashtags with mistakes are a failure, as your users will not find them.
In conclusion, the hashtags matter when:
- Invites sharing to follow up on events that are important for your business.
- You create them for your brand, and your users share them. Consequently, it generates more visibility and interaction. So, this will soon turn leads into potential customers.
How the hashtag matters in your business? Any ideas you want to share? Please let us know in the comment section. And don’t forget that you can read this same article in Spanish by clicking here.