For many people, hashtags have become a bit of a satirical addition to social media posts. But when used correctly-and in moderation-they're a great tool for brands to enhance marketing campaigns.
Hashtags, which started out on Twitter, can now be used on Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Google search, and other platforms. An effective hashtag allows people to find and follow discussions about your brand, a new product or service, or an upcoming event or promotion. And ultimately, hashtags help brands monitor trends and track the performance of promotions.
A brand can experience up to a 50 percent increase in engagement when they use a hashtag. For some networks, like Instagram, posts with upwards of 11 hashtags experience the highest number of interactions. Though it's important not to go hog-wild with your hashtags on some other platforms-more than two hashtags on a tweet can actually decrease engagement. And on Facebook, posts without hashtags actually outperform those with them. Ready for more hashtag wisdom? Check out these tips for a successful hashtag campaign.