What is Hashtag? – Definition, Uses, Characteristics, And More

Definition Hashtag(#)

The hashtag, known by hash symbol, #, is a type of metadata tag used on social networks such as Twitter and other microblogging services. It lets users apply dynamic, user-generated tagging that helps other users easily find messages with a specific theme or content.

Hashtag symbol

The hashtag refers to the word or series of words or alphanumeric characters preceded by the hash symbol, also called a numeral or cat (#), used on specific internet web platforms. It is an English word that we can translate as ‘label.’

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Uses of Hashtags

Hashtags are a communication tool used primarily in publications (text, videos, audios, images, etc.) on social networks to organize, classify, or group publications according to their topic or content.

These labels allow to present in a public way and organized in the timeline, all the contents that have the same label, thus facilitating not only their location but the exchange of information or content between different users on specific topics or events.

It is advisable to use the term ‘tag’ instead of a hashtag. Other possible translations, depending on the situation, would be ‘category’ or ‘keyword.’

Characteristics of a Hashtag

Sometimes, when many users use a hashtag during a specific period, it becomes, specifically on Twitter, a Trending Topic, that is, a trend of the moment.

In hashtags, it is not necessary to distinguish between uppercase and lowercase letters; however, you can take advantage of the use of these to differentiate one word from another and facilitate its readability, for example

#PresidentElection2020.

The great advantage of hashtags is that they give greater visibility to a publication on a social network, allowing other users to follow events or campaigns, news, or events more effectively.

Hashtags were first popularized on the microblogging platform Twitter, and from there, they have got extended to other platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Google+, or Telegram.

Popular Hashtags

Among users of different social networks, some hashtags are more frequent than others that arise from specific events. Among the most popular we can highlight:

#MCM

Which means Man Crush Monday or, in Spanish, Masculino male crush on Monday’. They use it use to publish the photo of an attractive boy.

#WCW

Which means Woman Crush Wednesday, that is, femenino Wednesday female love’. They use it to upload a photo of a pretty girl.

#TBT

Which means Throwback Thursday, which means going back in time on a Thursday, and refers to the publication of our old photos, especially those that remind us of good times.

#FBF

Which stands for Flashback Friday, refers to going back in time on a Friday. It also involves the publication of photos from past times.

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