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What Is Hashtag?
Social Media
Updated 18 September 2026
Quick Answer
A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by the # symbol on social media, used to categorize content and help it get discovered by people searching or browsing that topic.
Hashtag vs. Keyword — What's the Difference?
| Hashtag | Keyword | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Social media specifically | Search engines like Google |
Why It Matters
- It helps content get discovered by people who don't already follow you but are browsing or searching a relevant topic.
- Overusing irrelevant or overly generic hashtags can look spammy and reduce genuine engagement.
How It Works
- A relevant word or phrase is tagged with # within a social media post.
- The platform categorizes the post under that hashtag, making it discoverable to anyone browsing or searching it.
- Using a mix of specific and broader relevant hashtags typically works better than either extreme alone.
Key Takeaways
- A hashtag categorizes social content to help it get discovered on a topic.
- Relevant use works better than excessive or irrelevant hashtag stuffing.
- Their importance varies significantly by platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hashtags should I use?
It varies by platform — Instagram traditionally tolerates more than X/Twitter or LinkedIn, where a couple of relevant ones works better.
Should I use trending hashtags even if not directly relevant?
Generally no — irrelevant hashtag use can look spammy and doesn't attract a genuinely interested audience.
Do hashtags still matter as much as they used to?
Their importance varies by platform and has generally declined somewhat, though they still aid discoverability on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.