- Ever feel like you’re shouting into the void on social media?
Well, hashtags can help. They’re act as signposts that guide people to your content, making sure you’re not just talking to yourself.
Below are ten types of hashtags. I explain what they are, where to use them and give some handy examples plus I finish with some tips on how to effectively use hashtags. There’s lots of good stuff below but if you need more advice, learn more about me and my social media training.
Note that this post is 100% me and is note generated by AI. Let’s get into it!
1. Business Hashtags
What They Are: These hashtags are your bread and butter if you’re running a business. They relate to your industry or products, connecting you with your target audience.
Where to Use Them: Put these on posts about your services, products, or industry news. Think of them as business cards you hand out at a networking event.
Examples: #engineering, #webhosting #graphicdesign
2. Brand Hashtags
What They Are: Think of these as your company’s personal stamp. They’re unique to your business and help build your brand identity.
Where to Use Them: Use them in promotional posts, campaigns, or whenever you want to boost brand awareness. It’s your businesses’ digital signature.
Examples: #TransportForWales #DanielWellington #JustDoIt
3. Campaign Hashtags
What They Are: These are for your big marketing pushes, charity drives or competitions. As well as encouraging people to find your campaign, they can help you track the success of your campaign.
Where to Use Them: Use these hashtags in all campaign-related posts. They help focus attention on your campaign and encourage people to take part.
Examples: #PlateupForThePlanet, #FreeCheeseFriday
4. Topic/Interest/Hobby Hashtags
What They Are: These are your broad-stroke hashtags for general interests and hobbies. Perfect for helping your community to find and connect with you.
Where to Use Them: Use them whenever you’re about the topic in question. They are signposts for those looking for their tribe.
Examples: #mentalhealth, #DIY #running
5. Event Hashtags
What They Are: For events big and small, from webinars to social gatherings. These help keep everyone informed about your event.
Where to Use Them: Use these before, during, and after your event. They’re your event’s digital megaphone.
Examples: #LaptopFriday #WImbledon #Glastonbury2024
6. News and Trending Hashtags
What They Are: Use these for current events and trending news. They can help plug your content into a wider conversation.
Where to Use Them: Use them in posts commenting on or relating to current events or news stories. It’s how you join the topical conversations that are buzzing.
Examples: #Starmer #M4Traffic #Vaping
7. Calendar (Special) Day Hashtags
What They Are: These mark special days, holidays, or international observances. They connect your content to a national or global celebration.
Where to Use Them: Use them in posts celebrating the special day. Make sure your business has a natural connection to the day.
Examples: #NationalAlbumDay #ChristmasDay #SocialMediaDay
8. Location Hashtags
What They Are: These tag geographical locations such as towns, cities or venues. They attract users interested in or located in those areas.
Where to Use Them: Use these in posts about local events, businesses, or activities. They can help local people and customers find you.
Examples: #Pilling #Cardiff #PrincipalityStadium
9. Emphasis Hashtags
What They Are: Use these to add emphasis or convey emotion. They add character and personality to your posts.
Where to Use Them: Use them to highlight sentiment or reaction. They’re like adding a little colour to your content.
Examples: #CryingWithLaughter #excitedmuch #happylife
10. Context Hashtags
What They Are: These provide extra context or backstory. They give your audience a peek behind the scenes.
Where to Use Them: Use them to add more info about your post. They’re perfect for adding extra context to a story.
Examples: #ChoirStillPracticing #WaitingBackstage #ReadyToRoll
How to Effectively Use Hashtags
Research: Know which hashtags are hot in your industry – use the search functions on social networks and AI tools like ChatGPT to find these.
Mix and Match: Combine different types to maximize reach – aim to include 4 to 5 hashtags on X and LinkedIn plus up to 15 on Instagram.
Limit: Don’t overdo it. Stick to a few well-chosen hashtags – make each hashtag count and don’t include hashtags just for the sake of it
Monitor: Keep an eye on how your hashtags perform and tweak as needed – study your stats to see which hashtags are working best.
Conclusion
Hashtags are more than just trendy add-ons or words added to the end posts for fun. They’re powerful tools in your social media toolkit. By understanding and using different types of hashtags, you can boost your content’s visibility, engage with your audience, and build a solid online presence. Whether you’re promoting a business, running a campaign, or sharing your passions, the right hashtags can make a world of difference.
So, take the advice above plus experiment, stay updated with trending hashtags, and tailor your hashtag strategy to meet your goals.
Got any hashtag success stories or questions? Drop them in the comments or get in touch – I’d love to hear from you!