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Hashtags – Your Comprehensive Guide and How to Use Them

Hashtags have quickly become a “must-have” for social media and digital marketing. With the rapid evolution of the hashtag, the importance of understanding their fundamentals has grown just as quick. There is a lot of the hashtag world that many of us are yet to discover. This includes how to use them, when to use them, and how they can help business growth. Here is a closer look into hashtags.

What is a hashtag?

The Oxford Dictionary added the word hashtag in 2014, stating that a hashtag is “a word or phrase with the symbol ‘#’ in front of it, used on social media websites and apps so that you can search for all messages with the same subject.”  Sounds pretty simple, right? When used to their full potential, hashtags can create business growth, add to brand recognition, and give you another revenue for humour in your posts.

In addition to this, they can help establish communities, movements and trends. An example of this is the #lovewins movement. This hashtag has been one of the most popular to date, being used 12,800,000 times. This hashtag took social media platforms by storm on June 26, 2015, after the US Supreme Court ruled in favour of gay marriage, hence why it is such a popular hashtag for people to use to celebrate equality and love.

Evidently, hashtags have great power when used correctly so let’s break it down.

How to use hashtags?

First things first, how do you use hashtags? Commonly, they are used on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. When creating a post, whether you are sharing a photo, video or a Tweet, you can brainstorm words that relate to what you are posting, such as the subject matter, topic, category, location, or aesthetic. It is important to remember that simplicity is key when creating hashtags, using complex, unfamiliar words in hashtags can make it difficult to decipher what is written. Anything longer than three words can be hard to read, and less likely to be used by a wide audience, so keep them short and sweet.

Another way to make hashtags easier to read is to capitalise each word, for example, #OracoAgency or #SocialMedia. This also gives text readers the ability to decipher the text for those who are visually impaired. Once you have brainstormed words or short phrases to use, simply add a ‘#’ in front of them and remove all spaces. Add them in your post, either throughout the text or at the bottom of your caption, and watch your post reach a wider audience. Additionally, they can be used in your Instagram bio to further attract users to your account with who you share common interests.

How to find new hashtags ideas

Brainstorming in the notes of your phone or computer is a great way to start compiling your ideas. However, there are other ways to generate hashtags.  An easy way to find a group of hashtags is to look up a key word on Instagram and take note of the hashtags that are used on the post in that search. Another way of searching for new hashtags is to look up trending ones and choose those that are applicable to you. There are websites, such as Best Hashtags that are dedicated to displaying trending hashtags, therefore finding up-to-date lists are a simple Google search away. Remember, choosing hashtags that don’t necessarily represent your post can discredit you as a user, so pick ones that represent you and reflect your post.

How many should I use?

Although the excitement of them can make you feel like you want to use ALL the hashtags, setting a limit will help you choose the best ones. Many publishing platforms such as Later, put a limit to how many you can include. Instagram has also introduced a limit of 30 hashtags recently. Therefore, choose wisely ensuring you use a range of different ones, giving people the ability to delve into different topics and categories. Different platforms recommend different amounts, and these numbers fluctuate constantly, so staying up to date with the suggested number of hashtags will assist your success rates.

 What do hashtags achieve?

Hashtags can enable business growth, expand reach and collate content into subject groups. They can be followed on Instagram and Facebook, allowing viewers to see all posts that use the hashtag they are following. This is one way your profile could attract new organic visitors. An example of this could be that those with a vested interest in social media management may follow #SocialMediaTips. This allows them to see all the related content to this subject.

Furthermore, hashtags can bring people together, such as #ToyPoodleLovers! They are a way of finding like-minded people who share the same interests.

Location-based hashtags are another great example of using hashtags for your business. Small businesses from a particular area may choose to use a hashtag explaining their location. This informs viewers of their local area in a single glance. This is great for travellers who like to plan their trip and may search to quickly see what the area has to offer. A café in Mornington might use #Mornington or #MorningtonPeninsula to attract visitors and tourists. This is a simple addition to your bio or post that can enable major success!

Keeping track of your hashtags

Creating a list of hashtags isn’t a set and forget task, in fact, it is a good idea to regularly update your list. Hashtags, like many things, go out of style quite quickly, especially trending ones. You also don’t want to sound like a broken record and be too repetitive, or your hashtags will have no effect at all! Updating your list once a month ensures you are getting the most out of them. Organise them by key topics to use in combinations across your posts, allowing you to plan but not sound repetitive. You can monitor the success of your hashtags also! There are many different websites, such as Sprout Social that can provide you with analytics, as well as viewing your Instagram insights to track your success to ensure you ditch the low performing ones.

Final thoughts

The reach of hashtags is hard to predict and will differ each time you use them. Therefore, it is important to know that consistency is key and don’t give up on them. Additionally, they might not show effect instantly, in fact, you might refresh after a night’s sleep to find they were reaching users from the other side of the world all while you slept.

What are your favourite hashtags? Do you use them in every post?

If you would like more guidance in this area, click here to get in touch.

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Contents

I’ve always been fascinated by symbolism 🌀

By how a single mark, image, word or gesture can represent something far bigger than itself. Across cultures and civilisations, we’ve used symbols to communicate identity, beliefs, stories, belonging and ideas that sometimes go far beyond what words can explain.

And somewhere along the way, I realised that’s also how I’d started to see brands.

A logo can become a symbol of what a business stands for. A colour can carry years of recognition. A phrase can represent an entire belief. A story can become shorthand for where a business came from and why it exists. Iconography can represent services, philosophies, products or ideas.

What we see on the surface carries meaning because of everything sitting behind it.

Over nearly two decades of working in branding, I also began noticing the same themes appearing again and again in the businesses people really remembered.

Their past, beliefs, future, people, identity, expression, impact and longevity.

Eventually, I gave each of those ideas a symbolic form.

They became Oraco’s Eight Brand Marks, and today they give us a way to look at a business from eight different perspectives and uncover the stories, ideas and meaning that make it distinctly its own.

The strongest brands aren’t built by adding meaning that was never there. More often, the clues already exist.

You just need to know where to look.

Explore the Eight Brand Marks via the link in bio.

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Open post by oracoagency with ID 17981505972081585
I’ve always been fascinated by symbolism 🌀 By how a single mark, image, word or gesture can represent something far bigger than itself. Across cultures and civilisations, we’ve used symbols to communicate identity, beliefs, stories, belonging and ideas that sometimes go far beyond what words can explain. And somewhere along the way, I realised that’s also how I’d started to see brands. A logo can become a symbol of what a business stands for. A colour can carry years of recognition. A phrase can represent an entire belief. A story can become shorthand for where a business came from and why it exists. Iconography can represent services, philosophies, products or ideas. What we see on the surface carries meaning because of everything sitting behind it. Over nearly two decades of working in branding, I also began noticing the same themes appearing again and again in the businesses people really remembered. Their past, beliefs, future, people, identity, expression, impact and longevity. Eventually, I gave each of those ideas a symbolic form. They became Oraco’s Eight Brand Marks, and today they give us a way to look at a business from eight different perspectives and uncover the stories, ideas and meaning that make it distinctly its own. The strongest brands aren’t built by adding meaning that was never there. More often, the clues already exist. You just need to know where to look. Explore the Eight Brand Marks via the link in bio.

One of the hardest things about running a business is knowing what actually deserves your attention.

When you`re inside it every day, everything can feel important. The website needs updating, content needs creating, marketing isn`t quite working, the messaging feels off. Someone suggests a new platform, another campaign or a complete change in direction. But more activity isn`t always the answer.

A big part of Jessica`s work, both through Oraco and the business owners she mentors, is helping people step back far enough to see what`s really going on.

– What are you actually trying to achieve?
– Who are you trying to reach?
– What`s already working?
– Where is the real disconnect?
– And what can probably wait?

Sometimes the most valuable strategy isn`t adding another thing to the list. It`s creating enough clarity to know what matters now, what comes next and what doesn`t need your attention at all.

If you`re looking for strategic advice, a fresh perspective and someone to keep you accountable to actually doing the things you said you were going to do, Jessica offers one-on-one business strategy and mentoring sessions. Shoot us a DM to find out more.

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Open post by oracoagency with ID 17986629341863106
One of the hardest things about running a business is knowing what actually deserves your attention. When you're inside it every day, everything can feel important. The website needs updating, content needs creating, marketing isn't quite working, the messaging feels off. Someone suggests a new platform, another campaign or a complete change in direction. But more activity isn't always the answer. A big part of Jessica's work, both through Oraco and the business owners she mentors, is helping people step back far enough to see what's really going on. – What are you actually trying to achieve? – Who are you trying to reach? – What's already working? – Where is the real disconnect? – And what can probably wait? Sometimes the most valuable strategy isn't adding another thing to the list. It's creating enough clarity to know what matters now, what comes next and what doesn't need your attention at all. If you're looking for strategic advice, a fresh perspective and someone to keep you accountable to actually doing the things you said you were going to do, Jessica offers one-on-one business strategy and mentoring sessions. Shoot us a DM to find out more.

Last week, we lost someone very special.

Sean was a former Principal of Mannix College, a longstanding client of Oraco`s, and someone I was lucky to get to know over many years.

I first met Sean in 2012 through my work with Mannix, and I remember instantly clicking with him. He was incredibly kind, funny, super organised and genuinely caring. He made working together easy, but he was also someone who took the time to get to know you beyond the work itself.

Every year, without fail, Sean would send me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year message, always accompanied by a quirky little Bitmoji of himself. Even after he finished as Principal and we were no longer working together regularly, those messages continued. It`s such a small thing, but I think it says a lot about the kind of person he was.

I`ve worked with Mannix since 2009, a relationship that now spans close to two decades, and Sean sits right in the middle of so many of those memories. He was there through an important chapter in my career and Oraco`s growth, trusting us with Mannix for many years, and still making the effort to stay in touch long after our working relationship changed.

Looking back, it means a lot that such a longstanding professional relationship also brought someone like Sean into my life.

As the Mannix community gathers today to celebrate Sean`s life, I`ll be joining the service from home and thinking of his family, friends and everyone at Mannix. I had hoped to be there in person, but I`m glad I`ll still be able to join everyone in remembering him.

Thank you, Sean, for your kindness, your humour and for always finding a way to put a smile on people`s faces. You made a difference to so many people, myself included, and I`m very grateful our paths crossed.

Leanne x

Photo courtesy of Mannix College.

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Open post by oracoagency with ID 18016270139941947
Last week, we lost someone very special. Sean was a former Principal of Mannix College, a longstanding client of Oraco's, and someone I was lucky to get to know over many years. I first met Sean in 2012 through my work with Mannix, and I remember instantly clicking with him. He was incredibly kind, funny, super organised and genuinely caring. He made working together easy, but he was also someone who took the time to get to know you beyond the work itself. Every year, without fail, Sean would send me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year message, always accompanied by a quirky little Bitmoji of himself. Even after he finished as Principal and we were no longer working together regularly, those messages continued. It's such a small thing, but I think it says a lot about the kind of person he was. I've worked with Mannix since 2009, a relationship that now spans close to two decades, and Sean sits right in the middle of so many of those memories. He was there through an important chapter in my career and Oraco's growth, trusting us with Mannix for many years, and still making the effort to stay in touch long after our working relationship changed. Looking back, it means a lot that such a longstanding professional relationship also brought someone like Sean into my life. As the Mannix community gathers today to celebrate Sean's life, I'll be joining the service from home and thinking of his family, friends and everyone at Mannix. I had hoped to be there in person, but I'm glad I'll still be able to join everyone in remembering him. Thank you, Sean, for your kindness, your humour and for always finding a way to put a smile on people's faces. You made a difference to so many people, myself included, and I'm very grateful our paths crossed. Leanne x Photo courtesy of Mannix College.

One year of @twobayslaundry 🤎

A year ago, Two Bays Laundry opened its doors with a brand we’d had the pleasure of helping Liz and Kirill bring to life from the very beginning.

From strategy through to the visual identity, we wanted to create a brand that felt fresh, organic and full of personality, but most importantly, one that felt like it belonged here on the Mornington Peninsula.

That sense of place became part of the identity itself. The curves within the logo draw on the movement of water and our coastline, while the stylised ‘B’ represents the two bays that gave the business its name, Western Port and Port Phillip. The coastal palette, natural textures and broader identity carried that story through the space (shout out to @saint.design.interiors), signage, uniforms, vehicles and everything in between.

It’s always pretty special seeing a brand move from ideas on a page into a real business, but even more so watching it become part of the local community.

A huge congratulations to Liz, Kirill and the whole Two Bays Laundry team on your first birthday. It’s been such a pleasure working alongside you from those early ideas through to launch and everything that has followed.

Happy first birthday! Here’s to everything still to come 🥂

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Open post by oracoagency with ID 17879865243686265
One year of @twobayslaundry 🤎 A year ago, Two Bays Laundry opened its doors with a brand we’d had the pleasure of helping Liz and Kirill bring to life from the very beginning. From strategy through to the visual identity, we wanted to create a brand that felt fresh, organic and full of personality, but most importantly, one that felt like it belonged here on the Mornington Peninsula. That sense of place became part of the identity itself. The curves within the logo draw on the movement of water and our coastline, while the stylised ‘B’ represents the two bays that gave the business its name, Western Port and Port Phillip. The coastal palette, natural textures and broader identity carried that story through the space (shout out to @saint.design.interiors), signage, uniforms, vehicles and everything in between. It’s always pretty special seeing a brand move from ideas on a page into a real business, but even more so watching it become part of the local community. A huge congratulations to Liz, Kirill and the whole Two Bays Laundry team on your first birthday. It’s been such a pleasure working alongside you from those early ideas through to launch and everything that has followed. Happy first birthday! Here’s to everything still to come 🥂

We don’t believe the best brand stories are invented.

They’re found in the reasons a business began, the decisions made along the way and the people behind it. The things they care about, do differently, and perhaps don’t even realise are interesting anymore.

Often, you’re too close to your own business to see what someone else might find remarkable.

That’s why we ask questions, listen and look a little closer.

The story is already there. You just have to know where to look.

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Open post by oracoagency with ID 18135355420630978
We don’t believe the best brand stories are invented. They’re found in the reasons a business began, the decisions made along the way and the people behind it. The things they care about, do differently, and perhaps don’t even realise are interesting anymore. Often, you’re too close to your own business to see what someone else might find remarkable. That’s why we ask questions, listen and look a little closer. The story is already there. You just have to know where to look.

At the heart of @joannaphotography.au’s new identity is a refined wordmark designed to balance timeless elegance with a sense of movement and connection.

A sophisticated serif typeface was chosen for its enduring quality, warmth and understated premium feel. The letterforms evoke a sense of craftsmanship and longevity, reflecting the brand’s focus on creating imagery that grows in meaning over time.


Connection between the A and N introduces a sense of movement and continuity, symbolising the relationships, stories and moments that unfold throughout life.

This is why we start with your story. It’s often where the most distinctive part of a brand identity is hiding.

•

Filed by: Oraco Agency
Reference: PF-4165
Photo source: @joannaphotography.au
Filed under: #ProjectFile #BrandStrategist #Branding #BrandDesign #LogoDesign

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Open post by oracoagency with ID 18120044761813156
At the heart of @joannaphotography.au’s new identity is a refined wordmark designed to balance timeless elegance with a sense of movement and connection. A sophisticated serif typeface was chosen for its enduring quality, warmth and understated premium feel. The letterforms evoke a sense of craftsmanship and longevity, reflecting the brand’s focus on creating imagery that grows in meaning over time. Connection between the A and N introduces a sense of movement and continuity, symbolising the relationships, stories and moments that unfold throughout life. This is why we start with your story. It’s often where the most distinctive part of a brand identity is hiding. • Filed by: Oraco Agency Reference: PF-4165 Photo source: @joannaphotography.au Filed under: #ProjectFile #BrandStrategist #Branding #BrandDesign #LogoDesign

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Picture of Oraco

Oraco

We are designers, strategists, storytellers, coders, animal lovers, travellers, adventurers, yogis, gig-goers and coffee, tea & wine enthusiasts. We are for culture that fuels progressive and imaginative thoughts. We value positive change and believe in equality. We expect accountability. We aspire to create a work-life balance. We enjoy teamwork and contribution.

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