What is a Hashtag?

A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by the # symbol (pound sign) that categorizes content and makes it discoverable to people interested in that topic. When you click on a hashtag, you'll see other posts that include the same tag, creating a feed of related content from across the platform.

Hashtags serve as an organizational system for social media content, connecting conversations around specific topics, events, or themes. They also help increase reach and boost engagement. Examples include #SmallBusiness, #GRWM, or #SocialMediaTips. When users click on or search a hashtag, they see all public posts tagged with it.

How hashtags work on different platforms

While hashtags originated on Twitter, they're now used across most social networks, though with varying importance:

- Instagram: Hashtags are crucial for discovery, with posts often including multiple tags (up to 30)
- Twitter/X: Usually limited to 1-2 relevant hashtags per post
- LinkedIn: Professional hashtags help categorize industry content
- TikTok: Trending hashtags drive significant visibility
- Facebook: Hashtags are supported but less commonly used for discovery