A Guide to Hashtags

 

Hashtags are what we call little gold SEO nuggets made specifically for social media. They serve different purposes on different platforms, and no hashtag strategy looks the same. We call them gold SEO nuggets because they push content to a larger audience and make your content searchable. In our opinion, they are a necessity in your social media strategy.

Hashtags are simple and your hashtag strategy should be, too. Let’s break it down by social media platform.

INSTAGRAM

Hashtags on Instagram are a must. You can add hashtags to your main caption or move the captions to the comments. We’ve tested both, and they both have the same results.

  • Always use your own hashtag. For us, we use #nixcreative. For a client, we shorten their hashtag to #shopsofhp. You decide what’s best for your company, what’s most memorable, and begin using it in all Instagram posts. *Tip: You can go back and add hashtags to older posts.

  • If your brand is local, use hashtags popular in your area. For a Dallas bar client, we use neighborhood hashtags such has #dallastx, #highlandparktx, #eastdallas, #dallaslovefield, and so on. We also use common local tags such has #dallasbars, #dallasdrinks, #dallashappyhour.

  • Stay away from using super general hashtags. Using hashtags such as #fun, #shopping, #foodie, #blogger, etc. will serve you no purpose on Instagram. In some cases, it can invite trolls or *bot accounts to your page.

  • We suggest using 15-30 hashtags - 30 being the max. A pro tip would be to have your standard 10-15 hashtags and use the other 10-15 for content specific hashtags. Bonus tip: Do not use the same hashtags on all of your content. Get creative. Test and adjust.

  • Lastly, be sure to follow the hashtags that you use most frequently and engage with content using the hashtags consistently.

FACEBOOK
We’ll keep this one short and sweet:

  • Never should you ever use hashtags on Facebook. Okay, maybe if you’re making a joke such as #askingforafriend, but hashtags on Facebook do not currently serve any marketing purposes.

TWITTER
Yes, Twitter is still relevant, and no, it’s not going anywhere.

  • Use hashtags to join conversations. For example, if you are a CPG brand, you could tweet, “Let’s play a game. Eat a <insert product name> every time someone cries. #thebachelor”

TIKTTOK
There are a lot of things we love about TikTok, but one of the biggest things has to be their algorithm. Using the right hashtag(s) can give you that viral moment you’ve always dreamed of.

  • Look at trending hashtags. Like Twitter, TikTok gives you all of the trending hashtags on the discover page. Only use a trending hashtag if it relates to your content.

  • We recommend staying away from the #foryour, #foryoupage, #fyp hashtags. TikTok can flag your content as spam and it won’t help you reach the right audience.

  • Rule of thumb: Use a relevant trending hashtag, a brand hashtag, and an industry-specific hashtag,

If hashtags are new to you, it’s time to start testing! And don’t forget to use hashtags to have fun, be social, and build relationships.

 
jordan nix