Use Content Platform Features

Several platforms have additional features that help to increase the probability that your audience will see your content.

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Use Content Platform Features

A hashtag is a term or a collection of terms used after the # symbol. In technical terms, it is a type of metadata tag (#blog, #socialmedia, #content). People use hashtags on social media to separate, categorize, and find content with a specific theme.

In marketing terms, hashtags allow brands to more easily engage with their audience. Marketers run social media campaigns with selected hashtags to increase engagement. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and most recently LinkedIn are the leading social media platforms where hashtags are used

Keep in mind, the whole point of using hashtags is to help users discover specific posts. Since hashtags are an indexing system, it’s important to use hashtags that are specifically related to your content.

Here are some vital tips to consider while carving out your hashtag marketing strategy.

Click each tab for more information.

Tip 1: Hashtag density matters

Hashtag density is the total number of posts on Instagram linked to a hashtag. This determines the level of competition to get top billing on social media, similar to how SEO works for websites.

High Density: Over 1 million posts (a lot of competition making it harder to rank as a top post)
Medium Density: Less than 500,000 posts (lower competition; easier to rank as a top post)
Low Density: Less than 50,000 posts (too niche and may get little visibility)

For the best results, use a mix of medium and low density hashtags. A fairly easy way to research hashtags is by typing (or copying and pasting them) into the search bar.

Tip 2: Hashtag relevancy

Remember that the main point of using hashtags is for people to find specific posts. In order to have accurate results, use hashtags that have a direct relevance to your post. It is OK to reuse tags that are relevant to your association’s content. The trouble is when people use the same batch of hashtags on every post no matter what the caption says. Some platforms will block posts like that because they appear to be spam. Placement of the hashtags don’t matter as much; they can be in the caption or in a comment, but they need to be added as soon as possible after the image is posted to be effective.

Tip 3: How many hashtags should you use

Instagram and Facebook allow the use of up to 30 hashtags per post (whether they are in the caption or the comments is irrelevant, IG captures the total number and does not allow users to post more than 30).

Twitter limits the number of characters for every post regardless of whether a hashtag is being used. 280 characters is the maximum number Twitter allows. It’s common practice on Twitter to incorporate hashtags in the sentence of the captions. For example, “Check out our latest #volunteer spotlight!”

LinkedIn truncates your posts with a “See more” button when you reach 140 characters, including hashtags. Keep your posts under 140 characters for both personal and company posts to ensure your readers can view all of your content when scrolling through their feed.

The key is relevancy! Use the most relevant hashtags, instead of the maximum especially if the hashtags don’t truly belong.

Tip 4: Continue to Evaluate

Tagging

Tagging is when people mention each other in posts by using the @ symbol and the name associated with your profile. This means your name is linked to your profile and you will receive a notification to let you know it’s happened. Think when a friend adds a photo to Facebook, and you get a notification because you’ve been tagged.

Tagging guarantees that the people tagged will see your post. DO NOT randomly tag people. Just like hashtags need to be relevant there needs to be relevance of the post to the people you do want to tag. Maybe an organization you serve has sent in great feedback, which you’re sharing. Tagging the organization and saying how much you appreciate working with them will encourage growth in your relationship.

How to tag others in posts works similarly on all the main platforms. Basically while writing the post you use @(the person or organization’s name). As long as they have an account on the platform you’re using, that person or organization will display in your post.

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