What’s all the noise about Facebook hashtags?
What’s a hashtag? It’s the number or pound sign on your computer followed by a word or a phrase. Hashtags make it easier to find things.
For example, the using Twitter strategically involves using hashtags. Here’s a post on using them on Twitter. Hashtags are a way to follow conversations. Now, they’ll do the same for Facebook.
Here’s how it works.
1. You may notice a highlighted #hashtag within a Facebook post.
2. Click on it. The screen will show you a series of status updates that include the word or phrase. The first will be the one you clicked on. Below that post will be others. You may not know the other people. What they have in common is the phrase.
3. Look around and see how people incorporate them.
Highly Searchable
The best part of hashtags, (and the reason I’m so giddy about them on Facebook) is because they make a site searchable by topic.
It’s no secret Facebook’s search is no Google. Sometimes, it’s hard to find a client’s Business Page within the search function much less research a topic.
Hashtags change that. Now, you can click on the #hashtag word or phrase and make discoveries.
You may find new target clients or friends via the power of the hashtag. You can follow trending topics. For example, after Superstorm Sandy, it was through hashtags on Twitter that I knew what streets were open and which neighborhoods had power (and which friends needed help).
No Directory
There’s no “central directory” of hashtags (I get asked this a lot in my social media trainings).
AND, (this may be a revelation for some of you) you can MAKE THEM UP!!!! That’s right, you’re in charge. If you decide you want to write an update about the wonders of your morning coffee you can add #morningcoffee in your update and viola! You just created a hashtag.
Sound silly? Ok, some may be for fun. But can’t we have a little fun?
Try out the Facebook hashtags. Add one to your update. Click on others and see what’s there. I’d love to hear how you’re using them so share in the comments below.
