Hashtags have become a key tool for organizing and spreading content on social media.
Want to effectively increase the reach of your posts, connect with like‑minded communities, or improve your brand visibility? Learn how to use hashtags correctly to reach a wider audience and create content that leaves an impact.
How to use hashtags the right way?
Hashtags are a key tool on social media that increase post reach, connect users, and make content organization easier. To be truly effective, they must be used strategically and tailored to the platform and the target audience.
Principles of effective use
Relevance is essential. Hashtags must match the content of the post, otherwise you risk losing user trust. Prioritize simple, memorable terms because complex hashtags are harder to spread. Combine popular and niche hashtags; while popular tags increase visibility, niche tags reach a narrower audience with a specific interest.
Platform‑specific tips
- Instagram – since you can use up to 30 hashtags, combine general and specialized ones. Place them in the caption or in comments to keep the post clean.
- Twitter (X) – the character limit requires precision. Focus on 1–2 key hashtags that support the main topic.
- LinkedIn – use 3 to 5 professional hashtags that fit this platform’s audience.
- TikTok – the algorithm uses hashtags to identify a video’s topic, so choose a mix of trending and precisely relevant terms.
Why do hashtags matter?
Well‑chosen hashtags bring three main benefits. Increased visibility lets you reach users who don’t follow you. Brand building is easier with unique hashtags for campaigns or products. Community engagement comes from creating a space where users can share content related to your hashtag.
Successful hashtag use requires a mix of creativity, strategy, and testing. This way you can fully leverage their potential and maximize your content’s effectiveness.
How to type a hashtag on a keyboard?
- On a computer (Windows) – press Alt Gr (right Alt) and the 3 key on the top number row at the same time.
- On a computer (macOS) – press Option (Alt) + 3 simultaneously.
- On a smartphone (Android/iOS) – while typing, open the keyboard, switch to symbols (usually the key with numbers or special characters), and select the # character.
- On external keyboards – make sure the keyboard language is set correctly. On the Czech layout, the hashtag is Alt Gr + 3.
- Alternatively (if you have issues) – copy the # character from another text and paste it using Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V.
Hashtags in a page URL
A hashtag in a URL, also called a “fragment identifier,” is the part of a link that appears after the # symbol. It identifies a specific section on a page without reloading it. In practice, when a user is sent to a URL with a hashtag, the browser shows the exact section directly, improving user experience.
How does a URL hashtag work?
- URL structure with a hashtag – for example, www.example.com/page#section1 jumps directly to the part of the page labeled “section1.”
- Use on the web – most common on long pages or in single‑page apps, where navigating between sections doesn’t require a new server request.
Benefits of using a URL hashtag
- Clear navigation – users can easily jump to the desired section of content.
- Improved SEO for long pages – search engines can better understand page structure and potentially index individual sections.
- Maintained load speed – the page displays immediately since the hashtag doesn’t change the underlying HTML content.
What to consider when implementing
- Clear section labels – each part of the page should have a unique identifier.
- Functionality testing – verify that all hashtag links work correctly and point to the right content.
- Combining with JavaScript – hashtags can be used effectively in dynamic apps to control the user interface.
Hashtags in URLs are not only a practical navigation tool but also an effective way to enhance accessibility and usability. When implemented properly, they improve the visitor experience and overall site performance.
How to create viral content for social media?
A hashtag is only a helper. Without competitive content, it won’t do much. Here are a few tips for creating viral social content.
- Leverage current trends – follow popular challenges, music, or visual effects and incorporate them so your content resonates with what’s “in.”
- Tap into emotions – content that makes people laugh, cry, or feel surprised is more likely to be shared.
- Create room for interaction – include questions, polls, or challenges.
- Be authentic – natural, genuine content feels more trustworthy and connects better with your audience.
BONUS: A brief history of the hashtag #
The # symbol was originally used in the 20th century to denote numbers or units—for example, “#2” meant “number two.” It was commonly used in technical documents and on computer keyboards as a standard character.
The turning point came in 2007, when programmer Chris Messina proposed using it on Twitter to group posts by topic. The first hashtag was #barcamp, referencing a tech conference, and users quickly adopted the concept.
Over time, the hashtag became a universal tool on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. It helps organize content, support brands, and power viral campaigns.