When creating a post, the hashtags you choose can be used to get your post in front of your current and even new clients and customers. While the post content you create for a client will be and can be similar for each platform, it is important to understand that the number of hashtags and placement will vary between each platform. 

Reference this page for a few simple tips to ensure you’re using the right social media hashtags for your content, brand voice, platform you’re posting to, business goals, and target audience.

If social media hashtags are used correctly, they can:

• Increase how many people are seeing your content
• Increase how many people are liking your content
• Reach new potential customers and clients

General Best Practices

When using hashtags in social media posts, there are some basic guidelines that you should follow:

• Be specific, intentional, and timely with hashtag choices 
• Always include location-specific hashtags if your business is located in one place (ie #ColoradoSalon or #AtlantaLaw)
• Choose hashtags that describe the account, business, and target market
• Use caps if it is too long to see what the words are or if it is the brand’s name or holiday (ie #MadwireMedia and not #madwiremedia)
• Try not to copy and paste to use the same hashtags repeatedly as this can make your account seem “spammy” and not get a lot of likes or views of your post

Best Practices by Platform

Instagram

• Number of Hashtags: Up to 30 max per post (Sweet Spot is around 9).
• Use: Profile Bio, Content, and Instagram Stories.
• Formatting: Right after content or in “First Comment” of post.

Facebook

• Number of Hashtags: No more than 1 hashtag per post.
• Use: Only use Event/Holiday hashtags within content.
• Formatting: In content or right at the end.

Twitter

• Number of Hashtags: Use no more than 1 or 2.
• Use: Only use Event hashtags or hashtags to specific brands.
• Formatting: In content or right at the end.

LinkedIn

• Number of Hashtags: Use Around 3-5.
• Use: Only use Event hashtags or hashtags to specific brands. Make sure it is relevant to the specific post and your brand.
• Formatting: In the content or right at the end.

Pinterest

• Number of Hashtags: Up to 20 per pin
• Use: Timely hashtags or popular searched topics related to your post or brand.
• Formatting: In the content on pins or after the content.

Google My Business

• Never use hashtags on Google. They are not tracked and can mess up your ranking on Google's search engine results pages.

For more information about social media best practices and hashtags visit our blog here: Marketing 360 Blog: Social Media Management.