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The Pros And Cons Of Using Hashtags On Facebook
Hashtags have been floating around the social media world for a while now, and, over time, they have become a key aspect of posts on various platforms. Hashtags are a great asset to posts across media, but there are some risks associated with using the tool as well.
So, when it comes to Facebook, should you, or should you not, be including hashtags in your posts? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of hashtagging.
Benefits Of Using Hashtags
Increased Influence And Awareness
Hashtags are a terrific tool for expanding your audience on Facebook, as they help you to reach a much wider audience than you might otherwise. Including the right hashtags will get your posts included in search results, which can help to boost activity on your account. Here’s how:
When users employ the search tool on Facebook to search for hashtags, Facebook will give results including posts with the searched hashtag, as well as posts with similar hashtags. For example, a search for #TBT will also bring up posts with the hashtag #ThrowbackThursday.
So, if you’re strategic about which hashtags you use, you may find yourself popping up in results of searches for hashtags beyond just the ones you used. This is a great way to be noticed by Facebook users in your niche, so it’s a good idea to choose some hashtags that accurately represent your account and get your name out there!
Potential Business Opportunities
If you’re running a Facebook account for a business, using hashtags that are specific to your brand’s niche can be a beneficial business move. Keep in mind that potential consumers/customers aren’t the only people who are searching for hashtags.
Social media managers and influencers are always on the lookout for potential collaborations, and hashtags are a great way to grab their attention. Using hashtags that apply to your brand’s niche can get you connected with other brands and influencers, which can lead to partnerships and social media campaigns that can help you to both expand your online presence and increase business success.
Developing Your Own Branding
Another great feature of hashtags is the potential that they provide for you to develop unique marketing. While using hashtags that apply to your industry as a whole is a great way to gain renown, it can also be a very smart move to create some hashtags that are specific to your brand.
Such hashtags could relate to a product you are selling, an upcoming event you are hosting, or an experience offered by your business. Alternately, you can create a clever hashtag such as a play on words that involves the name of your brand. These types of hashtags will be easily recognizable by users and help them to instantly identify your brand. Additionally, satisfied customers can post reviews using your brand-specific hashtags, which is a terrific asset when it comes to marketing.
Hashtagging Risks
Using Hashtags The Wrong Way
When using hashtags, it’s important to be careful not to use too many at one time, or to use the wrong tags. Captioning posts with an abundance of seemingly random hashtags can cause your account to be flagged in Facebook’s system for potential spam. So, be strategic about which few tags would be best for each post.
Additionally, there are some hashtags that are to be used only in certain situations, such as in support or awareness of a current event or situation. Remember that just because a hashtag is trending does not necessarily mean you should use it. Always do your research before including a hashtag in your posts in order to avoid coming across as insensitive.
Always do your research before including a hashtag in your posts in order to avoid coming across as insensitive.
Being Too Broad Or Too Narrow
Another thing to keep in mind when selecting hashtags is how specific you’re being. If you use hashtags that are too broad, your posts will likely get lost in the shuffle of thousands of posts tagged with, say, #dessert or #marketing. Instead, try something more specific to your brand’s niche, such as #MiniCupcakes or #FacebookManagementTips.
At the same time, however, you will not want to choose hashtags that are too specific. If you select an ultra-narrow topic to use as a hashtag, it will not show up in search results or cause your post to be recommended to very many users.
For example, you would want to avoid tags such as #AlmondFlourVanillaWithSprinkles or #ShouldIUseHashtagsInMyFacebookCampaign.
These hashtags are too long and specific - it is highly unlikely that anyone would search for them, and Facebook would not be likely to use the tags to recommend your posts to most users.
The Verdict
Please Hashtag Responsibly
Based on the information we’ve discussed, it can be concluded that using hashtags is a great idea - if you do it the right way! Hashtags can help boost your account’s popularity and develop a unique identity for your brand.
However, there are some common pitfalls to be aware of. As long as you keep these common mistakes in mind and do your best to avoid them, you can design a hashtagging strategy to carry your Facebook account to success.
So give it a shot! Get to brainstorming, and think of some hashtags that might help your next post get widespread attention. And, if it works out, come back here and let me know - I’d love to hear about your experience!
Today's blog was provided by: Elizabeth Schutte works as Assistant Social Media Manager at Blue Dot Digital Marketing, where she has been a team member since June 2019. Here, she specializes in content creation, and her primary tasks include creating graphics and authoring social media and blog posts. Additionally, she is the founder and sole member of Elizabeth M. Schutte, LLC., through which she works in blog writing and social media management. Currently, Elizabeth is pursuing a double major in public relations and Spanish at Florida State University, where she is a member of the class of 2024.
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