You’ve all seen the ubiquitous # (hashtag) sign in front of social media posts, but do you really know what that symbol does—or could do for you? In case you’re reluctant to raise your hand in front of friends, co-workers or conference attendees, here’s a quick primer about the hashtag.
Why are Hashtags so Important?
Hashtags are important on social media as they enable your content to be found by the right people. Using relevant hashtags helps your content to be found and helps drive traffic to your content so that you can boost views, likes, and shares. The key is finding the right ones that match your content and appeal to users.
1. Hashtags simplify the process–Searching a hashtag pulls results for each post using that hashtag. Using a hashtag helps you reach your target audience, and likewise makes it easier for others to find your information.
2. They compel an action–When a user sees a post that is of interest, they will likely spend time looking through content brought up by the hashtag.
3. Hashtags evolve–Hashtags are being used by more and more platforms, impacting the amount of information put directly in front of social media users.
4. They reward the distinctive–Hashtags make finding information easier for social media users. A unique hashtag makes your message stand out to the users who find the hashtag valuable.