Do you ever wonder why one post goes viral while others hardly notice? The key often lies in the use of hashtags. More than just the latest trend, hashtags have been proven effective in enhancing the ‘visibility’ and ‘engagement’ of content across social media platforms.
How do you use hashtags successfully so that your voice is heard above the noise of a crowded digital landscape?
With a rich understanding of the nuances of a hashtag strategy, you can be able to reach out to more people, increase discoverability, and powerfully engage with your target audience.
Let’s dive into mastering the best use of hashtags in social media strategies!
How to use hashtags for social media?
1. Explore Popular Hashtags
Start by researching popular hashtags in your niches, which most of the platforms are using. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter highlight trending hashtags so that you can know what each population is talking about right now.
Research into using a hashtag will ensure it matches up with your brand’s message. Use a mix of broad, universally recognisable hashtags with niche-specific terms that appeal to a wide audience yet also target ideal ones for your brands.
Tools as simple as the hashtag generator or social media analytics can also help identify the matching hashtags with the content thereby improving the discoverability.
| Pro tip: Place your hashtags in the first comment for accounts of 100,000+ followers. |
2. Optimise the Use of Each Hashtag Across All Platforms
Several social networks have different norms, and it all depends upon what you are posting for which platform.
On Instagram, for instance, you can use up to 30 hashtags per post, but ten or fifteen well-chosen hashtags may be more effective.
In the case of Twitter which has the character limit, one or two effective ones must be more concise.
On LinkedIn, it has to be more like professional hashtags with very few industry-related terms. Continuously monitor and analyse the performance of the hashtags used so that you are always refining your strategy.
Leave the outdated list of hashtags and instead, keep your content updated based on performance metrics and the trends associated with that.
3. Use Memorable, and Unique Hashtags
The effective use of a hashtag is making it simple and accessible to the users. Pair popular hashtags with other short, specific, and relevant ones for your brand.
Those that are more memorable and unique are also good to connect better with your followers. It will depend on the social network and the number of hashtags but a few unique tags will spur user engagement.
- Using a hashtag on your tweets can increase engagement by up to 100% for users and 50% for brands or 1.5x times.
- The ideal number of hashtag for a tweet is 1 to 2 hashtags. Applying such a strategy will cause tweets to go up by as much as 21% in engagement.
4. Format hashtags correctly
Proper formatting is crucial for effective hashtag use. Always begin with a pound sign (#) and prevent gaps or special characters within the hashtag.
Use camel case for longer phrases to make your hashtags easier on the eyes, like #SocialMediaTips.
A well-formatted hashtag has a much better chance of being discovered and encourages user engagement.
5. Using Hashtags to Engage with Brands
Create a branded or campaign-specific hashtag that encourages engagement. Turn around and engage your followers to include those branded hashtags in their content, thus creating a community for themselves.
Contests and challenges encourage users to share their content associated with the branded hashtag, further spreading the brand message.
Engaging with the users who use your hashtag by liking or commenting on those posts is also an activity that encourages loyalty and strengthens your brand presence.
Effective Good Hashtags for Instagram Success
In the fast-paced digital landscape, using good hashtags for Instagram is crucial for standing out and achieving success.
Hashtag not only categorises your content but also connects you with a broader audience. By strategically selecting a mix of popular, niche-specific, seasonal, and location-based hashtags, you can enhance your visibility and engagement.
Understanding how to leverage these hashtags effectively can transform your posts, driving more interactions and fostering a loyal community around your brand. Let’s explore how to harness the power of hashtags for your Instagram strategy!
1. Use Niche-Specific Hashtags for Targeted Reach
Using niche-specific hashtags, helps you to connect with your targeted audience who is interested in your content.
By using niche-specific hashtags, you may engage with a person who is keen on your products or the specific industry you’re talking about.
Thus, your niche approach channels engagement and builds a community around your brand.
- Posts that contain at least 1 hashtag get an average of 29% more interactions than accounts having less than 1,000 total followers.
- According to this study, posts that include 11+ hashtags get an interaction maximum rate—an increase for accounts that have less than 1,000 followers by 79.5%.
2. Capitalise on Seasonal Hashtags
Seasonal hashtags tap into timely trends and events. You can use holiday- or event-themed hashtags, such as seasonal themes; for instance, seasonal themes like #SummerSale or #BackToSchool attracts users surfing around for the same type of content when people look for such things.
Plan according to the seasonal themes to which relevance you should create content. That way, your posts will look up-to-date and relevant enough. The approach can help you maximise your brand’s reach and engagement at peak times.
3. Use Location-Based Hashtags for Local Appeal
Location-specific hashtags are invaluable for those businesses looking to target a specific geographical location. By adding hashtags that may be associated with your city, neighbourhood, or region you will tap into more local audiences relevant to your products or services.
This is particularly effective for brick-and-mortar businesses, events, and services. You will also create a sense of community and drive local engagement using location-based hashtags, which drive foot traffic and brand loyalty in your area.
Final Thoughts
Whether it is getting more visibility, connecting with a target audience, or building a community around your brand, the right application of hashtags could be a game-changer.
Are you ready to elevate your social media strategy?
Contact Spinta Digital today! Let our experts guide you through the world of hashtags and help create a reliable approach toward driving results for your brand.
FAQs
1. What is the ideal number of hashtags for a post?
It is recommended to use 5 to 10 relevant hashtags to ensure that the maximum engagement by the platform is achieved.
2. Can I reuse the same hashtags throughout all my posts?
While you will find some uses for repeating the same hashtags, different combinations ensure you keep your post fresh while engaging a wider audience.
3. How do I find the right hashtags for my brand?
Research trending and niche-specific hashtags for your industry and see how well or which of them works best for you.
