Hashtags have been around since 2007, and we’ve seen them rise and fall in popularity numerous times since. One thing has stayed the same: they get some results when used properly. Hashtags aren’t just reserved for Twitter and Instagram, though – have you ever used a hashtag on Facebook? If not, you may not be aware that the hashtag “protocol,” if you will, is a little different. Let’s take a look and see if hashtags are necessary (and worth using) on Facebook.
Wait…there are hashtags on Facebook?
Yup! Facebook added hashtags to their platform in 2015, so in the grand scheme of things, they were pretty behind; Instagram has had hashtags since 2010, and Twitter introduced them in 2007, so Facebook was the latest bloomer.
If you’ve never seen them, don’t feel like you’re out of the loop – not many people are using them. However, recently, many users (particularly running business accounts) have been seeing a notification from Facebook promoting the use of hashtags. This notification comes alongside a promise of increased reach, but that may not necessarily mean much.
Do they really do much to increase your reach?
Maybe; there haven’t been any large-scale studies since 2016. However, that study actually showed that posts using any hashtag on Facebook actually received less engagement overall than those with hashtags.
On Facebook, hashtags haven’t really done too much historically; they may increase reach a little, but nobody really searches using hashtags. Furthermore, because of the various privacy features integrated into the platform, it’s difficult to guarantee whether or not more people will see and interact with hashtagged posts.
So, what does this mean as far as usage goes?
Let’s be real – it’s kind of #fun to use #hashtags every now and again. If your goal is to increase your reach on Facebook, though, maybe don’t get your hopes too high. There are so many different ways to use Facebook to increase your brand awareness and build your audience. If you’re not already utilizing social media for your marketing, what are you waiting for?
If your current marketing strategy isn’t cutting it anymore, reach out to our team of experts here at Blackwood Creative. We’re in the business of building remarkable brands, and yours could be next. Contact us today!
