We know you’ve heard of hashtags, but did you know that there are many great tools out there to assist in using hashtags for social media marketing? Social media hashtags are full of so much uncertainty, even for the most experienced marketers. They can be very difficult to understand and use, but they can actually be a very good tactic for content creators – if you know where to look.

#FunFact: Hashtags have even made it to space! In 2012, astronaut Chris Hadfield used the hashtag #GoodMorningFromSpace while tweeting from the International Space Station, making it one of the first uses of hashtags in space.

What is a hashtag?

A hashtag is a keyword or phrase, followed by the hash symbol (#), used on social media platforms to categorise content and make it easily discoverable. Hashtags can be a single word, a series of words merged together, or a phrase that represents the theme, topic, or subject of the post. When used effectively, hashtags can significantly increase the visibility of your content across many  social media platforms. 

The origin of hashtags can be found back in 2007 by Chris Messina, a web marketing specialist. He suggested to the creators of Twitter that the # symbol should be used to group related Tweets together. Fast forward 15+ years and the use and effectiveness of hashtags is continuing to grow.

Despite the change in the use of hashtags over the years, the purpose of the symbol has not changed. Hashtags exist to essentially group social media content, based on a specific topic or theme. Also, they have expanded outside of Twitter and can be used on other social media platforms too.

#FunFact: The hashtag “#ALDubEBTamangPanahon” holds the record for the most tweeted hashtag in 24 hours. It was used over 40.7 million times on October 24, 2015, related to a charity event in the Philippines.

Useful Tools for Researching Hashtags

Let us drop in a word that is any social media marketer’s fuel – trends. Trends allow content to be reached by a wider audience and it is crucial to be aware of that. Therefore, by using tools that will enable users to use trends to their advantage, you will be able to stay on top of them. However, there are many hashtag-specific tools out there, so how do you know which ones will actually do their job?

Here are some useful tools for researching hashtags:

All Hashtag

Best for: Versatile social media professionals who require a comprehensive tool for hashtag generation, analytics, and real-time tracking.

All Hashtag is a very versatile tool, designed to serve a variety of needs in hashtag analytics and generation. This tool is distinguished by its multifunctionality. Users can experience a wide range of features including hashtag generation, analytics, and tracking.

The hashtag generator of All Hashtag is particularly noteworthy. It not only suggests relevant hashtags based on a given keyword but also ranks them in terms of popularity and relevance. This feature is useful for users seeking to enhance the discoverability of their content on social media platforms.

In terms of analytics, All Hashtag provides detailed insights into the performance of specific hashtags. This includes data on usage frequency, trend patterns, and potential reach. Such analytics are crucial for users who aim to understand the impact of their chosen hashtags.

Furthermore, the tool offers a real-time tracking feature, allowing users to monitor the ongoing performance of hashtags. This is essential for adapting to changing trends in social media, enabling users to stay ahead of the curve and maintain the relevance of their content.

All Hashtag, with its wide range of features, is a great asset for social media marketers, content creators, and anyone looking to leverage the power of hashtags to maximise the impact and reach of their content.

#FunFact: There have been legal disputes over the use of specific hashtags. For example, in 2013, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office registered a hashtag as a trademark for the first time. This opened up discussions about the ownership and legal rights associated with popular hashtags.

Best-hashtags

Best for: Busy social media managers seeking quick, effective, and trending hashtag suggestions with minimal effort.

Best-hashtags is an efficient tool designed for rapid hashtag generation. It caters to users seeking immediate access to a list of relevant and trending hashtags based on a simple keyword input.

What sets Best-hashtags apart is its straightforward approach to hashtag discovery. Users input a primary keyword related to their content, and the tool quickly generates a curated list of associated hashtags. This process leverages algorithmic analysis to identify hashtags that are not only popular but also relevant to the given keyword, ensuring relevance and reach.

The tool’s user interface is remarkably user-friendly, allowing for quick navigation and hassle-free operation. This makes Best-hashtags particularly suitable for those requiring fast and effective hashtag solutions without the need for in-depth analytical features.

Additionally, Best-hashtags strikes a balance between general and niche hashtags. This approach enables users to target their content effectively, ensuring it reaches the intended audience while also tapping into broader networks for maximum exposure.

Overall, Best-hashtags is an excellent choice for social media professionals and content creators who need to quickly identify effective hashtags that will enhance the visibility and engagement of their posts.

Tagomatic

Best for: Instagram-focused social media managers looking for intuitive and predictive hashtag recommendations to enhance post engagement.

Tagomatic stands out as a specialised tool tailored for Instagram hashtag optimisation. Its primary function is to assist users in identifying the most effective hashtags for their Instagram content, thereby enhancing visibility and engagement.

The tool operates on an algorithm that suggests relevant hashtags as the user begins typing. This predictive feature is based on real-time data analysis, ensuring that the recommended hashtags are not only relevant but also trending. This is particularly beneficial for users looking to tap into current conversations and trends on Instagram.

Tagomatic’s user interface is designed for ease of use, making it accessible for both novice and experienced Instagram users. The simplicity of the tool allows for quick hashtag selection.

Additionally, Tagomatic offers insights into the performance of individual hashtags. This allows users to gauge the effectiveness of their hashtag choices and make data-driven decisions for future content. 

In essence, Tagomatic is an essential tool for anyone looking to optimise their Instagram presence. 

Hashtagify.me

Best for: Social media managers needing in-depth analytics and trend tracking for purposeful-hashtag use across multiple platforms.

Hashtagify.me is an advanced tool designed for in-depth hashtag research and analysis. It provides users with a well-rounded view of hashtag performance and relevance. Upon entering a specific hashtag, the platform reveals its popularity metrics, historical data, and correlated hashtags.

The platform stands out for its ability to map the connection between different hashtags, offering a network view that illustrates how various tags interrelate. 

This feature is invaluable for understanding the broader context in which a hashtag exists and how it interacts within different online communities.

Moreover, Hashtagify.me offers insights into key influencers associated with specific hashtags. By analysing the usage patterns of these influencers, users can fine-tune their own content to align with successful trends.

In addition, the platform provides detailed analytics, including real-time tracking of hashtag popularity and usage. This allows users to make data-driven decisions, adapting their social media activities to capitalise on emerging trends and maximise the impact of their content.

Tweetbinder

Tweetbinder is an analytics tool designed primarily for Twitter (X), offering a deep dive into hashtag analytics. It stands out for its approach to measuring and interpreting the impact of hashtags on X.

One of the key features of Tweetbinder is its ability to provide detailed reports on the performance of specific hashtags. These reports encompass a wide range of metrics, including the reach of the hashtag, the level of engagement it generates, and its overall impact on Twitter conversations. This data is invaluable for understanding how a hashtag resonates with the audience and contributes to the spread of a message.

Moreover, Tweetbinder offers insights into user engagement and interaction patterns. This includes information on the most active users for a particular hashtag, the type of content that is generating the most response, and the geographical distribution of the hashtag’s users. 

Tweetbinder also offers a unique feature called ‘binder creation’, which allows users to categorise tweets under different binders based on various criteria. This organisational tool aids in segmenting and analysing Twitter data more effectively, enabling users to derive specific insights tailored to their needs.

#FunFact: The world record for the most hashtags in a tweet is 3,498, achieved by Ritesh Shukla (India) on May 21, 2021. While this might be a record, it’s definitely not a recommended practice for effective social media engagement!


Summary

Hashtags are arguably an important component of successful social media marketing. By using tools to research and select the right hashtags, you can significantly improve the visibility and impact of your posts. The goal is to use hashtags that are relevant, popular, and specific to your content and audience.


Remember, hashtags are more than just a pound sign; they’re the keys to unlocking a larger audience on social media. Happy hashtagging!

Tinisha Osu is a Marketing Executive with two degrees in Psychology. She is the first-author of a published psychology paper and is beginning her career in marketing through blog-writing, creating social media content and running marketing campaigns.