A hashtag is a keyword or phrase used to describe a topic or subject, immediately preceded by a pound sign (#). Hashtags can help you find topics that are of interest. For example, “dogs” can be a hashtag, and so can “border dog puppy training.” One is a broad topic and the other is a specific phrase.
To create a hashtag, type the pound sign (#) before the word or phrase and do not use spaces or punctuation (even if you use multiple words in one phrase). So, #Dogs AND #BorderColliePuppyTraining are the hashtag versions of these phrases.
A hashtag automatically becomes a clickable link when you tweet it. Anyone who sees the hashtag can click on it to go to a page containing a feed of recent tweets containing that hashtag.
X (formerly Twitter) users put hashtags on their tweets to categorize them and make it easier for other users to find and follow tweets about a specific topic or topic.
Hashtag Best Practices
It’s good to use hashtags. However, it can be easy to make mistakes if you are new to the trend. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Use hashtags of specific phrases to enhance a particular topic: Going too far with a hashtag like #Dogs it may not get you the engagement you want. A hashtag like #BorderColliePuppyTraining it can include fewer irrelevant tweets and result in better targeted users posting or searching for that specific topic.
- Avoid using too many hashtags in a single tweet: With only 280 characters to tweet, cramming too many hashtags into one tweet leaves less room for your real message and looks spammy. Stick to 1 to 2 hashtags at most.
- Keep your hashtagging relevant to what you’re tweeting: If you’re tweeting about the Kardashians or Justin Bieber, don’t include a hashtag like #Dogs OR #BorderColliePuppyTraining unless relevant. Make sure your tweets and hashtags have context if you want to impress your followers.
- Hashtag existing words in your tweets to save space: If you’re tweeting about dogs and mention the word “dogs” in your tweet text, don’t include #dogs at the beginning or end of your tweet. Add a pound sign to the word within the tweet to keep it simple and save valuable character space.
- Use trending topics to find hot and current hashtags: A “Trending for You” list appears in the right sidebar of your home feed on the X website or in the search tab of the X mobile app. It includes a list of trending topics that are a mix of hashtags and regular phrases according to your geographic location. You can also choose #Explore in the right panel when using X on the web to see other trending hashtags. Use these to access conversations that are currently happening.
Once you get used to seeing and using hashtags on X, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. This is a huge social media trend that isn’t going away anytime soon!
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