A Hashtag is a keyword or phrase preceded by the pound symbol (#) used on social media platforms to categorize content and make it easily discoverable. Hashtags allow users to participate in conversations or topics around a specific theme and make posts visible to a broader audience beyond their immediate followers.

Why it’s important: Hashtags are essential for increasing the reach of social media posts. They enable brands to tap into trending topics, amplify visibility, and connect with users interested in specific subjects. Using relevant hashtags increases the chances of a post being discovered by new audiences.

Best practices for using hashtags:

• Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags to reach both broad and targeted audiences.
• Limit the number of hashtags to maintain a clean, professional look (Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags, but 5-10 is optimal).
• Create branded hashtags to encourage user-generated content and brand engagement.

Hashtags are a powerful tool for driving engagement and visibility on social media platforms, helping brands connect with relevant audiences and stay part of trending conversations.