As a consultant dedicated to helping small and medium-sized businesses grow through social media, I often get asked – what are the latest trends and best practices around using hashtags?
With over 125 million hashtags tweeted per day and the majority of Instagram posts containing tags, they continue to be a critical part of any marketing strategy.
When used effectively, hashtags can significantly increase engagement and reach. But each platform has its own optimal practices.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore the most up-to-date hashtag statistics plus proven tactics to incorporate into your next campaign.
Key Hashtag Statistics & Facts for 2024
Let‘s start with an overview of the latest data on general hashtag usage across platforms:
- 52% of marketers say adding hashtags increased social media engagement
- The first hashtag used was #barcamp in August 2007 on Twitter
- Posts with 1-2 hashtags tend to see the highest engagement
- Hashtags can increase engagement by 100% on Twitter
- 70% of hashtags on Instagram are branded tags
As you can see, hashtags continue to play an extremely important role in social media marketing. But usage varies greatly by platform.
Twitter Hashtag Statistics & Strategies
With its focus on real-time conversations, Twitter set the stage for hashtag popularity. But less can often be more when tweeting:
- Tweets with 1-2 hashtags get 21% more engagement
- Tweets with over 2 hashtags see 17% less engagement
- Tweets with hashtags are 55% more likely to be retweeted
Twitter Hashtag Best Practices
Based on the data, I recommend small businesses on Twitter:
- Use just 1-2 branded hashtags per tweet
- Create your own branded hashtag campaigns
- Use hashtags to tap into trending topics and larger conversations
- Limit hashtags in Twitter ads which see 23% less engagement
*Table showing top tweeted cultural & entertainment hashtags.*
Instagram Hashtag Statistics
Instagram offers more flexibility for expansive hashtag use. But best practices still apply:
- Posts with 1 hashtag get 29% more interactions
- Posts with over 11 hashtags get 79% more interactions
- 93% of Instagram posts contain hashtags
Instagram Hashtag Strategies
To make the most of hashtags on Instagram, I suggest:
- Use a mix of niche, branded, and trending hashtags
- Experiment with long-form hashtags (21-24 characters)
- Include some high-volume tags to increase discovery
- Leverage influencer campaigns with branded hashtags
Facebook Hashtag Statistics
Facebook has been slower to adopt hashtag use cases, but they can still help expand reach:
- Posts with just 1 hashtag get the most engagement
- Public posts with hashtags can reach non-followers
Facebook Hashtag Tips
To effectively leverage hashtags on Facebook:
- Use just 1 branded hashtag per post
- Create public hashtag campaigns to extend reach beyond followers
- Use hashtags to tap into trending stories
Hashtag Strategies For Small Businesses
As you can see from the data, while hashtags remain highly effective across social platforms, optimal usage varies.
Here are my top tips for small businesses looking to improve social media engagement:
#1) Analyze performance data and refine usage per platform
#2) Focus on niche, branded, and trending hashtags
#3) Monitor cultural conversations for relevant hashtags
#4) Use influencers and UGC to expand branded campaigns
At the end of the day, there is no one-size-fits all approach – experimentation is key! Track performance and double down on what drives results.
Hope this overview of the latest hashtag statistics and strategies helps provide clarity on new opportunities to consider. Let me know if any questions!
