Updated July 2020
Hashtags for Facebook in 2020
Finally, Facebook is coming to the party with hashtags.
Search has always been a big problem for Facebook and they are finally going to embrace hashtags as a way to help their audience search through Facebook gigantic library of posts.
Facebook is starting to push the use of hashtags in posts to INCREASE YOUR ORGANIC REACH – Mari Smith posted on 2nd July 2020
History of Facebook Hashtags
Hashtags on Facebook have been around since 2013 but not widely used or encouraged by Facebook. In 2016 auto posting from Instagram to Facebook became the thing and our feeds were flooded with hashtags and the organic reach of these posts began to tank as the Facebook audience still didn’t want to come to the party.
Facebooks Definition of Hashtags
Hashtags turn topics and phrases into clickable links in your posts on your personal timeline or Page. This helps people find posts about topics they’re interested in. To make a hashtag, write # (the number sign) along with a topic or phrase and add it to your post.
For example:
Great podcast episodes are #SmallBusinessTalk.
When you click a hashtag, you’ll see a feed of posts that include that hashtag. You may also see some related hashtags at the top of the page.
Please keep in mind:
A hashtag must be written as a single word, without any spaces.
You can include numbers in a hashtag, but punctuation and special characters (like $ and %) don’t work.
You can search for a hashtag using the search bar at the top of any Facebook page.
You’ll only see posts that were shared with you, unless they are set as public, so you won’t be able to see all hashtags on all posts if the privacy settings are on private or friends and family only.
When using hashtags in your post make sure your settings are on a Public audience, so that they will appear on your public profile and in that hashtag feed.
Limit on Hashtags On Facebook
There is no official limit to the amount of hashtags you can use on Facebook but think about how your audience will react to a post stuffed full of hashtags.
Use hashtags (1 or 2 only) when they make sense and when you use something relevant that people can filter on to find more relevant conversation. If I wanted to create conversation around social media tools I would start including a hashtag #socialmediatools and then I’d encourage conversation around this.
Ian Cleary of Razor Social
How Many Hashtags to Use
Social Sprout says 1,2,3 or 6 hashtags – 4 & 5 are lower than 6.
7-9 or 11 plus really reduce the engagement
10 is best if doing multiples but more than half lower than 6.
Source: Social Sprout
Watch this space as more influencers are starting to us more hashtags I am sure the amount to add will increase as well. Try it out. I would start by using 6 and see how you go. Testing on your page is always the best way to see what will work for you.
Types of Hashtags On Facebook
Use industry or brand specific hashtags. Think about how you want the post to be found when people are searching – what specific keyword or words make sense to help you come up better in a Facebook hashtag search.
If you are thinking about using popular hashtags, think about what you are trying to achieve. If you are only using a small amount of hashtags with a hugely popular hashtag work for you or will you just get lots in the crowd? Conversely don’t go to overly specific or unique or you won’t be found, unless of course it make sense for your niche.
Following Hashtags on Facebook
No you can’t follow hashtags on Facebook – not yet anyway.
You also can’t see how popular the hashtag is or other related hashtags. Hashtags are not suggested after you type in the # number sign either – a feature of most of the other platforms. Although some people are reporting when they use specific words Facebook is suggesting it be a hashtag.
Yes hashtags on Facebook still have a way to go but this is a positive start.
Research for Hashtags to use on Facebook
Mari Smith’s hot tip is to reach the hashtags to use on Facebook by searching through hashtags on the Instagram platform where you can see popular and related hashtags.
Proofread your hashtags
Add capital letters to show the words and be careful what hashtags you put together. Remember no spaces of you will break your intended hashtag.
Read the hashtag well to make sure your reader is getting the meaning you intended.
#roadskills
Could be
#RoadsKill or
#RoadSkill
And I am sure you have seen plenty of inappropriate hashtags that started out quite innocently.
Should I Hashtag on Facebook?
Firstly, let’s talk about what hashtags are and what they are designed to do.
Hashtag
“A word or phrase preceded by a hash mark (#); used within a message to identify a keyword or topic of interest.” (sproutsocial.com)
Hashtags are for search
Hashtags can follow trends
So reading the above you would think that using lots of hashtags on Facebook would be a great idea like you use them for Instagram or Twitter
… Unfortunately, you are wrong.
In the most part, hashtags are not searchable on Facebook and certainly not when added to private profiles.
Should I hashtag on Facebook?
Sparingly, only hashtag on Facebook to emphasise a point or as a brand, not as a general search tool component. Using more than 2 hashtags on Facebook has been shown to be detrimental to your post reach, another reason not to use hashtags on Facebook.
Are hashtags searchable on Facebook?
Technically, yes they are. Hashtags have become searchable on Facebook if they are on a public profile or business page and are not currently searchable on mobile.
3 tips to think about if you want to use hashtags on Facebook
1. Keep it simple
2. Create Emotion
3. Proofread hashtags – avoid embarrassing mistakes
1. Keep it simple
Use a maximum of 2 hashtags per post on Facebook. If you use unique or branded hashtags, they will stand out and you are more likely to be noticed.
2. Create Emotion
Use hashtags to emphasise a point and create emotion. Be funny and use hashtags that are clever.
3. Proofread your hashtags
Be careful what hashtags you put together and read them well to make sure your reader is getting the meaning you intended.
#roadskills
Could be
#RoadsKill or
#RoadSkill
And I am sure you have seen plenty of inappropriate hashtags that started out quite innocently.
Should I hashtag on Facebook?
Sparingly and with purposes, then YES.
Remember to add value to your audience. If the hashtag doesn’t add value to your message then don’t use them.
Need help?
If you need help with your social media or marketing, contact Cathy and the team at CATCO Enterprises.
Facebook thumbs up image supplied by i New Media Ltd
