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How To Use Hashtags

Published: October 26, 2022
pushing a hashtag up hill
the authorby Janet Bargewell, GiveDirect Support

What is a Hashtag?

A hashtag is a word or phrase that makes your post discoverable (searchable). They help to categorize (or describe) your content by topic, conversation, event, or campaign. They are also an excellent way to connect your audience with your cause. Here are some basics on hashtag construction.

  • Hashtags always start with the pound sign (#).
  • They won't work with spaces, punctuation, or symbols.
  • You may use capital letters for ease of reading, but lowercase is more acceptable for short or one-word tags (i.e., #HowToUseHashtags vs #howtousehashtags).
  • Your account must be public for hashtags to be searchable.
  • The best hashtags are short (too many words will be difficult to read and hard to find).
  • Limit the number of hashtags in your post -- more is not necessarily better.
  • Use hashtags that are popular and relevant.

How to Use #s by Platform

Knowing when, where, and how many hashtags to use will increase your social media reach and engagement regardless of which platforms you use. However, you must understand the hashtag etiquette for each platform. Here are some basic guidelines for hashtag usage:

Platform Optimal number of hashtags Where to use How to search for hashtags Platform tips for usage
Facebook 2-3 Include anywhere in your post. Search for hashtags using the search bar.

Click on a hashtag to see a feed already using the same hashtag.
  • Private profiles make it more difficult to track how users are interacting with your hashtags.
  • Monitor your hashtags to see how people are joining your conversation: "facebook.com/hashtag/(your keyword)".
  • Hashtags may be less effective on this platform, so use them sparingly.
Instagram 3-5 Include in your caption or in the comments section. Search hashtags in the "Tags" tab of the Explore section.
  • Grouping hashtags at the end of your caption is best.
  • Second best is to use hashtags at the beginning of your comment.
  • Avoid using hashtags in the middle of your caption. This can potentially make your content less accessible to people using text-to-speech readers.
  • Longer hashtags on this platform outperform shorter ones.
LinkedIn 1-5 Include anywhere in your post. Search for hashtags in the search bar.

See trending hashtags in "news and views."
  • Keep your use of hashtags professional.
  • Follow hashtags to see recent posts using the same hashtags.
Pinterest 2-5 Include at the end of your Pin description. Use the Pinterest hashtag generator to see hashtags which start with a specific keyword.
  • Use hashtags that are specific and that contain relevant keyword.
  • Hashtags should not be funny or creative.
TikTok 3-5 Use in the caption (recommended) or comments (less effective). Search for hashtags in the search bar or on the "Discover" page.
  • Use relevant hashtags used by others in your circle. You can also use a hashtag generator tool.
  • Mix popular hashtags with less competitive ones.
  • Develop your own branded hashtags.
YouTube 3-5 Add to your video title or in the video description. Type in "#" in the YouTube search bar to find popular tags.
  • Don't use more than 15 hashtags -- you may get your account flagged as spam.
  • Click on a hyperlinked hashtag to see a feed with other videos using the same hashtag.
X 1-2 Use anywhere in your tweet. Search for hashtags using the search bar.

See trending hashtags in trending topics.
  • When creating a new hashtag, make sure it's not already being used in a different way than what you intend in your tweet.
Snapchat 0 Not supported.
Download The How To Use Hashtags by Platform table

Key Dos and Don'ts

Since X was the birthplace of hashtags and Instagram uses hashtags as an integral form of organization and search, hashtags seem to perform better on these two platforms. However, that does not mean you shouldn't use them on other platforms. There are specific dos and don'ts when creating and using hashtags.

man holding green check mark
man holding red X
Do research! If you use a trending hashtag, make sure you know why it's trending to avoid unintentionally associating your charity with something inappropriate.
Don't use hashtags that are more enticing than the content you're sharing.
Keep them brief and catchy.
Don't over-hashtag. This is the equivalent of spam.
Make them easy to remember and spell.
Don't combine too many words making the hashtag hard to read or understand.
Look for hashtags others are using when talking about your cause and include them in your own posts.
Don't use all CAPS, unless it is an acronym.
Ask your supporters to use your hashtag to help give it more traction.
Don't only use popular hashtags. This will greatly limit your ability to reach your audience.
Know when/how many hashtags are appropriate for the platform.
Don't make hashtags too generic (i.e., #love, #beautiful, #tragic).
Double-check your content (before and after) to ensure hashtags are properly linked.
Don't ignore local hashtags like #loveNewYork or #ChicagoChicago.
Monitor the effectiveness of your hashtags. Most platforms have some sort of analytics.
Don't cross-post updates: each post and hashtag should be customized for the platform.

Popular GivingTuesday Hashtags

According to best-hashtags and Top-Hashtags here are the most popular GivingTuesday hashtags used on Instagraph listed alphabetically.

#bekind #blackouttuesday #communityoutreach #communitysupport #compassion #dogood #donatenow #donations #education #fundraising #giveback #givingback #givingtuesday #givingtuesday #givingtuesdaynow #help #makeadifference #mytowntuesday #nonprofitorganization #nonprofitsofinstagram #philanthropy #positivity #socialgood #tuesdaymotivation #tuesdays #volunteer #volunteerappreciation

Remember, while it is okay to use popular hashtags, don't only use popular hashtags. This will greatly limit your ability to reach your audience.

Doing Your Research

If you're ever unsure about what hashtags to use, there are online tools that can help. Ritetag, Hashtagify, Planoly and Trendsmap are just a few of the options out there. You can try different hashtags on different platforms to determine what works and what doesn't.

Conclusion

When it comes to social media, hashtags can be your friend if used wisely. On the other hand, if used recklessly, they can be detrimental. It is important to do your research and know the platform you are posting to. But, most of all, if you haven't started already, try out hashtags in your next social media post! With practice, hashtags can help you expand your reach and gain more attention for your cause.