We did our research so you don’t have to!
Hashtags are everywhere on social media, but do you know the history behind them? They were actually invented by a guy named Chris Messina.
Back in 2007, while using Twitter with his friends, Chris had the idea to use hashtags to organize topics and groups. Twitter didn't think it would catch on, but Chris didn't give up. He convinced his friends to give it a try, and during a San Diego wildfire, people started using #sandiegofire in their tweets.
This showed everyone that hashtags could be a way to join global conversations. Twitter eventually caught on, and by 2009, they added a search option for hashtags, and that's where it all began.
A lot of people have the misconception that hashtags started on Instagram, but as you can see, they first appeared on Twitter.
Instagram caught on a year later, making hashtags super popular. It started with simple ones like #nofilter or #like4like and now there's a hashtag for everything under the sun!
However, don't be fooled into thinking hashtags are only for Instagram & Twitter – that's just the tip of the iceberg! You can sprinkle hashtags across other platforms like TikTok, LinkedIn, and even Pinterest to spice up your content and make it more discoverable.
If you're not using hashtags in your posts, you're missing out on some serious engagement.
And don't worry if you're not sure which hashtags to use – there are websites out there that can help you find trending ones to boost your posts.
We’ve listed some of our top faves in this article so make sure you stay till the end!
So, Why Should You Use Hashtags in Your Posts? Is It Just an Added Unnecessary Step?
Why bother with hashtags in your social media strategy? Here's why they're a must:
Get Noticed: Hashtags make your content easier to find. When people search for a tag, they might stumble upon your posts, even if they don't follow you. It's a way to get your content out there, especially if you're not widely known yet.
Increased Engagement: People are more likely to engage with you if they find your posts through hashtags. But here's the catch: you have to use the right ones. No point using #like4like if you're sharing baking tips – that's just spammy. Stick to hashtags that match what you're sharing, and you'll attract the right audience.
Community Connection: Using popular hashtags in your niche shows you're part of the community. Plus, it helps you build relationships and trust with your audience.
Brand Recognition: Want to create a name for yourself? Come up with your own hashtag and encourage people to use it! People will then start associating it with you, which is a big win for brand recognition.
So, while digging up the perfect hashtags might take some time, it's worth it. Many brands have also incorporated this strategy and found great success, which brings us to our next point.
Brands That Embrace Hashtags in Their Marketing Campaigns
Nike's #JustDoIt
This famous hashtag embodies Nike's belief in pushing yourself and taking action. It's used everywhere to motivate people to go for their goals and be their best.
Starbucks' #PSL
Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte has a huge following, and their #PSL hashtag is a signal that fall is here! It's all about building excitement and getting fans hyped for that delicious seasonal drink.
Red Bull's #GivesYouWiiings
Red Bull's hashtag is all about energy and excitement. It's used to share thrilling stunts, extreme sports, and moments of triumph, showing how Red Bull gives you that boost to tackle anything
Coca-Cola's #ShareACoke
Coca-Cola's campaign encourages customers to share a Coke with friends and loved ones. The hashtag #ShareACoke is used to promote this message across social media platforms, inviting people to engage and connect over a refreshing drink.
Oreo's #OreoDunkSweepstakes
Oreo's campaign invites fans to share their creative Oreo dunking experiences for a chance to win prizes. The hashtag #OreoDunkSweepstakes encourages participation and generates excitement around the brand's iconic cookies.
Apple's #ShotOniPhone
Apple's campaign showcases stunning photography captured on iPhone devices by users around the world. The hashtag #ShotOniPhone highlights the power and creativity of iPhone photography and encourages users to share their own visually compelling moments.
Top Free Hashtag Generator Tools
Later
Later is a social media scheduling tool known for its hashtag generator feature, making it a top choice among social media marketers. Its user-friendly interface and extensive features make it a go-to for many.
All you have to do is input a keyword or phrase in the search bar, and the tool will generate a list of relevant hashtags. You can even explore hashtags by category or industry.
Later enables you to save preferred hashtags for future use, simplifying the entire process.
Here are some advantages of using Later's hashtag generator:
Later's hashtag generator is easy to use and offers a broad selection of hashtags.
You can explore hashtags by category or industry to pinpoint those most aligned with your audience.
Later facilitates the saving of preferred hashtags, ensuring easy access for future posts.
Later also provides social media post-scheduling capabilities, offering a complete solution to save time and manage your social media tasks more efficiently.
Sendible
Sendible's Hashtag Library, part of their White Label package, is just what social media marketers need. It's like having a massive catalog of hashtags at your fingertips, covering a wide range of topics and industries, which makes finding the right ones a breeze.
Plus, accessing the hashtag library is simple. Just log into your Sendible account and click on "Content" in the menu. Then, navigate to "My Content" to explore your existing hashtag library.
Inside, you can search for hashtags using keywords, categories, or even locations. And if you're not sure where to start, Sendible has lists of hashtags grouped by topic and platform.
Once you've identified the hashtags you wish to use, Sendible's Hashtag Selector feature makes it easy to incorporate them into your social media posts. This feature allows you to choose hashtags based on search volume and seamlessly integrates them into your post's caption or comment section. Easy and efficient!
Hashtag Expert
Hashtag Expert is a useful tool available on the iOS app store that provides lots of trending hashtags. You simply type in a hashtag, and it generates 30 related ones for you. However, it's essential to select hashtags that genuinely fit your content. The app has a straightforward interface where you can choose hashtags from various categories.
Ritetag
If social media is a big part of your work, you're probably always searching for the best hashtags. Ritetag is a great tool for this – it gives you instant hashtag suggestions whether you're using your phone or computer. These suggestions are based on what's trending right now, so you're always up-to-date. Plus, the app color-codes the hashtags, making it easy to see which ones are hot.
Inflact
Inflact is an Instagram hashtag generator driven by artificial intelligence, designed to effortlessly enhance your posts with the perfect vibe. This tool analyzes your photos, keywords, or links and swiftly generates hashtags for your social media content. With the capability to suggest up to 99 relevant keywords across various topics, Inflact simplifies the process of finding the right hashtags to boost your engagement rate!
Final Words
In wrapping up, hashtags have become super important for social media marketing. They help you get seen, boost engagement, and make your brand stand out. From their beginnings with Chris Messina's idea on Twitter to being used by big brands and regular folks, hashtags have changed the game for how we connect online.
And now, with free hashtag generator tools mentioned above, finding the right hashtags is easier than ever. These tools make it simple to find hashtags that'll get your posts noticed and boost your engagement.
SO, WHERE DO YOU FIND THIS PARTNER?
Well, aren’t we glad you asked! We at DigiCom are obsessive data-driven marketers pulling from multi-disciplinary strategies to unlock scale. We buy media across all platforms and placements and provide creative solutions alongside content creation, and conversion rate optimizations. We pride ourselves on your successes and will stop at nothing to help you grow.
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