Almost all social networks (VKontakte, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc.) now use hashtags. What is it and why are they needed?
Let's look in the dictionary
A hashtag is a single word or phrase that is preceded by a "#". They got their name from him, because in translation from English "hash" means "grate". That is, as a result, we get specific designations like "#Moscow", "#love", "#Football Match", etc., according to the same pattern.
How it works?
These designations are needed in order to group thematic messages, as well as create information channels. The author reports, ascribing hashtags to his post , that this is a post related to a particular topic. At the same time, he includes the post in the corresponding channel.
After the post is published, the keywords highlighted by the bars turn into clickable links. By clicking on one of them, the user will be able to see all the messages that have been tagged with this hashtag.
What are the hashtags for?
And here the fun begins. Almost all content marketers now understand and actively use this feature of social networks. Using hashtags allows you to implement several tasks at once:
- Increase audience reach
- increase brand awareness;
- draw the attention of the target audience to a specific event or trend.
In order to make this possible, it is extremely important to learn how to use hashtags correctly. What does this mean, and what subtleties are there in placing such “tags”?
Choosing the right keywords is the foundation of future success.
Let's say you are going to publish a note on the issues of search engine optimization sites. In order for users interested in this topic to be able to notice it, you should add the #SEO tag. However, another factor comes into effect here - if you work with international services (for example, on Facebook), your content may go almost unnoticed. And all because the specified hashtag is actively used by English-speaking users of the system. That is, in order for your publication to be noticed by a Russian-speaking audience, it will be more logical to also add the hashtag # SEO.
By the way, it is very important not to forget to switch the input language to Russian. Otherwise, the system will recognize your CEO acronym as Chief Executive Officer, and your note will not be approved unambiguously.
When choosing keywords, try to put yourself in the place of a typical representative of the target audience. Think about which keywords your potential customers can use to search . It’s important that your publication is 100% up to user expectations.
The most popular hashtags are common phrases (# repair, # love, # gifts). They will allow you to show your post at the same time to a huge number of users. But, as always, there is a "but." Experienced SMM-schiki believe that sometimes it is better to get the right amount of views due to the large number of targeted highly specialized hashtags (for example, not just # repair, but #Plastic Window Installation or #Wiring Installation).
How many hashtags should I use?
There are no and cannot be any restrictions in this regard. However, some people believe that too many tags visually distract users from the content of the article. Perhaps it’s most logical to say that in this regard it’s worth sticking to a “golden mean” and choosing only hashtags that are ideal for you in all respects.
What is also a powerful tool to increase the audience, it is not necessary to say. However, popular keywords will come in handy here. Of course, part of the views will be “empty” - people who searched for information on a related topic will run through your post with their eyes and scroll through the feed further. But some of them may be interested in the message and go to your page to find out more.
Thus, the hashtags on VKontakte, as well as on Twitter, on Facebook and on Instagram can help you grow your business or simply promote your name (for example, if your dream is to become a popular network blogger).