Active social media users employ the hash symbol daily, adding a word or phrase after it without even thinking about what a hashtag is. In the context of promoting posts and your page overall on Instagram and Facebook, it is an opportunity to better structure and organize content to optimize its visibility to the target audience.
What is a hashtag and how did it appear
A hashtag is a word or phrase placed after the “#” sign without a space. It is a combination that works as a clickable link and directs the user to a group of posts on a specific topic, helping them find relevant content. The first appearance of a hashtag was on August 23, 2007, in a post by Twitter user Chris Messina. He was looking for a way to structure the flow of information and simplify search on social media, when there were no groups, topic-based search, and so on. However, the idea was rejected by Twitter’s management on the grounds that it was an option “for geeks” that people would not use.
A brief history of hashtags
Twitter users learned en masse what a hashtag is as early as October 2007. During the wildfires in San Diego, the tag #sandiegofire went viral, helping to quickly spread essential safety information and evacuation data. This proved that such labels are an effective tool for tracking events in real time. Despite their real usefulness and popularity, Twitter officially made hashtags clickable links only in 2009, Instagram – in 2010, and Facebook – in 2013.
Why businesses and bloggers need hashtags
Hashtags perform 3 main functions for businesses and bloggers: they classify content, help the target audience find your posts, and increase the reach of publications. When discussing what a hashtag is on social media, one should not forget about content relevance. In particular, it is a way to participate in current trends.
How to create a hashtag on Facebook: step-by-step guide
To add a hashtag within a post, as a separate block, or under a video, simply type “#” and start writing a word or phrase without a space. 3 rules for how to create a hashtag: no spaces, no special characters, no punctuation marks. You can change the case, for example, capitalizing each word – #JustDoIt.
How to add a hashtag on Facebook:
- Start creating a post in the “What’s on your mind?” field.
- Type the hash symbol, making sure there is a space before it.
- Write a keyword or phrase after “#” without a space.
- Check that the hashtag is highlighted in blue and has become an active link.
To help users who are looking for ways to make a hashtag on Facebook relevant and useful, the social network starts suggesting popular tags by matching letters as soon as you begin typing a word.
How to add a hashtag on Facebook via mobile and PC
The process of how to create a hashtag on Facebook does not differ between mobile and PC and follows the instructions provided above. The only difference is that the list of suggested tags on PC drops down below the text, while on a smartphone it pops up above the keyboard.
To make sure the tag works, click on it and check whether the Facebook search opens a feed of posts with similar tags. Keep privacy settings in mind. If the profile is private, the post will only be shown to friends.
Rules for using tags on Facebook in 2026
In 2026, a balanced approach to using hashtags on Facebook is recommended:
- Moderation. 2–3 tags per post, maximum 5 for longer texts and under videos.
- SMM approach. Hashtag = keyword.
- Formatting. Capitalize each word in the tag for easier reading.
- Targeting. Local and niche hashtags instead of general ones.
The tag formula for Facebook 2026: 1 branded hashtag + 1–2 topical ones.
How to add a hashtag on Instagram: all methods
In 2026, users need to think carefully about how to choose hashtags for Instagram, because the 30-tag method no longer works. Currently, Instagram algorithms focus on accuracy and relevance, and a large number of tags is associated with low-quality content.
Hashtags in posts, Stories, and Reels
| Format | How to add a hashtag on Instagram | Best practices |
| Posts (feed posts, carousels) | In the “Add a caption” field | Integrate hashtags into the text or place them right after it |
| Reels | In the description under the video before publishing | Add 1–2 tags describing the trend or audio, and 2–3 related to the topic of the reel |
| Stories | 1. Sticker: Sticker icon → “#Hashtag” → word2. Text: Text input tool (Aa) → #word | Make the hashtag small or hide it under a sticker so it doesn’t ruin the concept and visual design of the story |
How many hashtags to use on Instagram and Facebook in 2026: current recommendations
| How many hashtags to use on Instagram in 2026 | How many hashtags to use on Facebook in 2026 |
| According to the Instagram Creator’s Guide, 3–5 tags in Reels and 1–3 in Stories. The post caption is now more important than hashtags | 2–3 branded or geographically targeted tags for monitoring key activities and cross-media promotion. Up to 5 hashtags for Facebook Reels |
Hashtags for Instagram: how to choose and what types exist
Before selecting hashtags, determine the goals of their use. Then conduct research on the pages of competitor companies or influencers in your niche. Pay attention to which specific tags are used most frequently and in what quantity.
Niche, geo-hashtags, branded, trending
| Type | Features |
| Branded hashtags | Unique, shape the style, values, and vibe of the brand, contributing to its promotion on social media |
| Trending tags | Popular at a specific moment, often referencing viral challenges, memes, news, and events |
| Geo-hashtags | Geographically oriented, help find content, products, and services in a specific location |
| Niche hashtags | Highly precise for specifically describing the content of a post’s text, photo, or video |
Mistakes when using hashtags
When understanding what a hashtag is on social media, it is important to discuss common mistakes in their use:
- long phrases that are difficult to read;
- letter or word combinations that form new vulgar or obscene meanings;
- using a hashtag without understanding its context and origin (for example, “#MeToo, I love receiving your orders in Direct”);
- highly competitive tags that get lost in the content stream;
- the same tags for every post.
In 2026, the organic nature of hashtags becomes crucial. It is important that tags do not ruin the visual aesthetics of the post and remain appropriate.
FAQ
1. What does a hashtag mean?
According to the Oxford Dictionary definition from 2010, a hashtag is the “#” sign used in social media posts to identify a specific keyword or phrase.
2. How many hashtags should you use on Facebook?
On Facebook, the optimal number is 2–3 tags for posts and up to 5 for Facebook Reels.
3. How to find popular hashtags?
To find popular hashtags for commercial promotion, the best approach is to analyze competitor pages. Google Trends will suggest which topics are currently being searched for most frequently. The Discover section on TikTok will help you find trending hashtags for a personal blog.
Content structuring and promotion through professional hashtag selection
It is not difficult for any reasonably active social media user to understand what a hashtag is. However, the rules for using these tags change and differ across various platforms. Therefore, to save your own time and achieve the desired results, you can entrust their selection to specialists. Working with hashtags is part of the SMM services of the agency LuxSite, which is always ready to help with promoting your social media presence.
