How Do Hashtags Work On Facebook? (Are They Effective)

Facebook is one of the most popular social networking site with billions of monthly active users. When it comes to hashtags, you mainly think of Instagram. Is it possible to use hashtags on Facebook?

In this article, we will go over how hashtags work on Facebook, if they’re worth it, and other factors you may want to consider when using them.

Answer To The Question How Do Hashtags Work On Facebook:

Hashtags do work on Facebook, however, they aren’t meant to really optimize posts. Instagram and Twitter are the top two platforms that use hashtags to help content be seen by more people.

If you’re looking for specific content on Facebook you could simply just type in words, as it’s more of a search engine like google rather than a hashtag site like Instagram.

For example, if you wanted to see content about the new iPhone X you could type in “iPhone X” in the search bar on Facebook and a bunch of relevant results would come up.

you can also filter it by photos, videos, people, and pages.

What Happens When You Hashtag a Post on Facebook?

When you use a hashtag on Facebook, it helps categorize your post and makes it easier for people to find.

For example, let’s say you made a post about your new cat. If you use the hashtag #newcat, then anyone who searches for that hashtag will be able to see your post.

The thing is though, it may not be worth it to use a hashtag on Facebook unless you are a business or trying to promote something. Why?

Well, Facebook’s algorithm is designed to show users content that is most relevant to them. And, in most cases, the content that is most relevant to a user is content from friends and family members.

Do Hashtags Make Facebook posts public?

If your account is set to private, hashtags won’t make your post public. Only people who can see your posts will be able to see and click on the hashtags.

If you want more people to find and see your post, you’ll need to use a public account and make sure your post is set to public as well.

When someone clicks on a hashtag on Facebook, they’ll see a feed of public posts that include that hashtag.

If you click on a hashtag that’s not popular, you might just see a few posts. But if you click on a popular hashtag, you’ll see hundreds or even thousands of posts in the feed.

Is It Worth Using Hashtags on Facebook?

If you have a specific event that you want to include a hashtag for, such as a product launch or company party, then it might be worth using a hashtag on Facebook.

This way, people can easily find and follow the conversation around the event.

However, if you’re just using hashtags to try and get more views on your posts, then it’s probably not worth the effort.

This is because Facebook’s algorithm doesn’t give preference to posts with hashtags.

What Are The Differences With Hashtags On Facebook and Instagram?

When you use hashtags on Facebook you want to be more specific and use less hashtags then you would on Instagram. This is because Facebook is more of a search engine then Instagram.

So, using too many hashtags or really broad hashtags will not help your post get found as easily. It is also good to note that people use Facebook differently than they do Instagram.

How to Optimize your Chance To Be Seen On Facebook:

Even though Facebook’s algorithm doesn’t give preference to posts with hashtags, there are still a few things you can do to optimize your post and increase the chances of it being seen.

Have Your Page Set To Public

First, as we mentioned before, make sure your post is set to public. If it’s not, then only people who can see your posts will be able to see the hashtags.

Trending Hashtags

Second, try to use popular, trending hashtags when appropriate. This will help your post get in front of more people.

And third, don’t go overboard with the hashtags. Use 1-2 hashtags per post at most. Any more than that and you’re just spamming your post with hashtags.

If you have a group. Use a great description which allows you to be found in searches. This is probably the most important factor.

When Hashtags Work The Best On Facebook

Hashtags work the best in certain circumstances on Facebook. Below we will go over a few of them.

Sporting Events

If at a sporting event, or watching one on TV, and you want to discuss it with others who are also interested in the event, then using a hashtag is a great way to do that.

For example, if you’re watching the Super Bowl, you can use the hashtag #SuperBowl to see what other people are saying about the game.

Product Launches

If you’re a business and you’re launching a new product, using a hashtag is a great way to create buzz and get people talking about your product.

For example, when Apple launched the iPhone 6s, they used the hashtag #iPhone6s to get people talking about the new phone.

Popular TV Shows

If you’re a fan of a popular TV show, such as Game of Thrones, then using a hashtag is a great way to connect with other fans of the show and discuss the latest episode.

For example, after each episode of Game of Thrones airs, fans use the hashtag #GameOfThrones to discuss what happened on the show.

Is Using Facebook Hashtags Worth It?

No, Facebook hashtags are not worth it. Facebook’s algorithm does not give preference to posts with hashtags. In fact, using too many hashtags can actually hurt your post’s reach.

If you’re just using hashtags to try and get more views on your posts, then it’s probably not worth the effort.

Conclusion

We hope this helped you understand a bit more about how hashtags work on Facebook and their effectiveness.

When it comes to social media marketing, it is always important to test out different strategies to see what works best for your business. If you are not sure if hashtags are right for you, we recommend testing it out on a few posts and seeing the engagement that you get.

Did you find this blog post helpful. If you did please consider sharing it on social media, and with friends and family.

If you have any questions about hashtags or how to use them effectively, please let us know in the comments below. We would love to help you out!

Take a look at our other most recent blog posts below:

How Do Hashtags Work On Facebook? (Are They Effective)