Globo Blog: Hashtags on Facebook Blessing or Curse?

For all of you that haven't heard the big news.

YES FACEBOOK HAS HASHTAGS NOW!

This announcement has created some very different reactions within the facebook community.

There are people that think: YAY FINALLY, THANK GOD.

And there are those that think: OH NO, NOT HERE AS WELL

And there are those that think: What the Hell is a Hashtag?

Just to make sure you know what a Hashtag is. A Hashtag is a word or phrase prefixed with the symbol #

For example #Empower #Network

It is a form of meta data tag. It is mainly used in microblogging systems and social networks like twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, Flickr, Google+ and now Facebook as well.

What is a Hashtag good for?

To explain it in the Wiki way: Hashtags provide a means of grouping messages, since one can search for the hashtag and get the set of messages that contain it.

So basically when you have a Hashtag in you message it is like taging that message or post.

Lets take the following message as an example.
"This year the big #Oldtimer meet in Boston will be moved to another location due to a building site on the main road."

The hashtag for this message is #Oldtimer. If anybody will search for the term Oldtimer on the corresponding network, this message will appear in the results.

As well as being a Tag for that message the Hashtag will also automatically become a link for that search to find other messages or posts related to the same topic.

How can I use or benefit from a Hashtag on Facebook?

In order to insert a Hashtag into your Post or message all you have to do is add the # symbol at the front of your word. Make sure that it is not the first word though, as these might not be recognised by the network.

One or more hashtags in your message or post will make that message appear in search results on that network.

The benefit of Hashtags on facebook is that it lets you create posts which are easier found do to the tag.
In terms of marketing on facebook you should definitely have a look at the hashtags on facebook if you haven't already done so.

Depending on what business you are marketing on facebook you should have a look at which hashtags on facebook are best to use in order to get the best out of it.

A reason why many people might not like the fact of hashtags on facebook is that many people like to spam their posts by putting in tons and tons of hashtags just to appear in as many search results as possible.

Since hashtags on facebook are relatively new to the network there is no type of guideline nor rules for using hashtags.

Twitter for example has been having hashtags ever since and you still have people overloading their tweets with hashtags.

If you want to be successful using the hashtags on facebook then simply keep to the guideline of not trying to spam.

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Contact me and I will answer any questions you have regarding the marketing techniques on social networks.