If you’re a prolific user of Twitter, Google+ or Instagram, then you probably already know all there is to know about hashtags, how they are used, and when and why to use them. But for the rest of the real world out there—those that don’t eat, sleep, and breathe the world of Twitter, there must be some rhyme or reason to all of the hashtags you see out there.
What Exactly Are Hashtags?
Well technically, a hash tag is a keyword or short phrase with# (pound sign) in front of it. They’re typically used without any spacing. So for example, our post here about hashtags could be associated with #hashtags or even #hashtagsarethebest.
Where Are They Are Used?
We’re starting to see them used all over the place (i.e. as a watermark in the lower corner of your favorite T.V. show, etc.), but they serve the most purpose on social networks—usually Twitter—but also networks like Google+ and Instagram.
Why Are Hashtags Used?
Social networks often use words prefixed by hashtags as links. For example, on Twitter, when a person views a tweet that includes a #hashtagkeyword, and then clicks on that #hashtagkeyword, they’ll be taken to a search results page that includes all of the posts with using that identical #hashtagkeyword.
Because of the instant nature of social media, they can be used to follow a trending topic – back to the live T.V. broadcast for a quick example – when people view that show and talk about it online using the designated hashtag in the their messages, the buzzworthienss of a topic can be measured by the social network just through the sheer quantity and frequency of the use of that hashtag in a marked period of time. When you hear the term “Trending on Twitter,” this is a good way of understanding how this is measured.
How To Use Them?
Hashtags are used for promotion – Savvy promoters have become good at starting hashtag trends that “brand” online conversations. For example, #Londoin2012 was frequently used in conversations talking about and promoting 2012’s Summer Olympics events in London.
Hashtags are used to support a trend – Many groups will formally or informally begin using and promoting a hashtag to get noticed and create an online trend. This tends to be kind of a grassroots/organic thing that just kind of happens and takes off, but there’s always somebody that has to start it.
Hashtags get connected – Want to show that you’re talking about a specific thing online? For example, say you’re a graphic designer talking about a new design idea or new design software online. You might use the hashtag #graphicdesign to connect your post to the greater online conversation about that topic or perhaps to be found by others searching for posts about that topic. Someone looking to hire a graphic designer might post something on Twitter that looks like “Need a designer for my new business cards. Suggestions? #graphicdesigner” You, the graphic designer might do a daily search for this particular hashtag and connect with the people having the online conversations accordingly.
Use them for poetic effect – You probably see people use hashtags all the time that really don’t apparently have a clue what their actual technical function is. In many ways, they’ve simply turned in to a way to add emphasis or even snarkiness to an online post or conversation. For example, a post that looks like this, “Flying to Florida for vacation #itsallgood” really doesn’t have a hashtag that means anything or is worth tracking. It’s just a form of online conversation.
And that is what hashtags are all about. #nowyouknow
