How To Use Twitter Hashtags To Elevate Your Brand (2024)

Posting viral content on social media platforms is one of the most affordable ways to earn free publicity. Yes, it takes dedication and a bit of luck, but knowing which types of posts succeed on each platform can help your brand grow. For example, short videos perform well on Instagram and TikTok, but business-focused articles have a better chance of trending on LinkedIn.

On X, formerly known as Twitter (and still called Twitter by many users), incorporating relevant keywords related to breaking news and trends can increase your visibility on the platform. One way to join the discussions on trending topics is to use popular Twitter hashtags.

Here’s a guide to using hashtags on X, with tips for leveraging popular hashtags to gain followers and generate attention for your business.

What are Twitter hashtags?

Twitter hashtags, or X hashtags, are words and phrases preceded by the “#” symbol. They appear in users’ tweets as links. Clicking an X hashtag directs you to a search results page displaying other tweets with the same hashtagged keyword or phrase. Hashtags are also used on other social media platforms, like Instagram and TikTok, where they work similarly.

When users see these posts, they can engage by responding or retweeting, which shares the post with their followers. Therefore, using relevant hashtags—or better yet, trending hashtags—can get you in on more conversations, drive more traffic to your account, and increase awareness of your brand.

There are some limitations, however. You can only use letters and numbers in hashtags—no punctuation or symbols allowed. Hashtags are only clickable in public posts, meaning a hashtag does not become a hyperlink in a direct message. Using whole words is often effective because their meaning is easy to decipher, but a hashtag may include an acronym. You can turn phrases into hashtags, but consider capitalizing each word in the phrase to improve legibility.

How do brands use Twitter hashtags?

Incorporating hashtags into your Twitter marketing strategy is an easy way to maximize engagement on the platform. Here are common ways brand accounts use X hashtags:

• Increase visibility. When you use X to share messages with both followers and new audiences, adding hashtags to a tweet can enhance its visibility and boost brand awareness.
• Join trending conversations. Marketers engage with trending keywords and topics by using targeted hashtags. If you notice that thousands of accounts are posting with a specific hashtag, join in by writing your own posts using the hashtag.
• Foster community engagement. Many businesses create branded hashtags to build community and connect with customers. For instance, you might develop a unique phrase, like #FiredUp and #Ready2Roll, and encourage users to include it in a tweet when mentioning your brand. You can offer rewards for those who posted, like free products or exclusive discounts.
• Establish an industry niche. Hashtag your slogan to differentiate your business from competitors. For instance, a tool company might promote product longevity by adding the hashtag #ItJustLastsLonger to their tweets.

Tips for using Twitter hashtags

Looking to maximize your hashtags’ impact on X? Here are four essential tips:

Find hashtags in trending topics

To find trending topics in the app, tap the magnifying glass icon and select the “Trending” tab at the top of the screen. You can also type words and phrases into the search bar and see what X’s autofill tool serves up. Trending topics might relate to seasonal holidays or current events, so engaging with them can boost your exposure. Examples include:

• #NYE
• #ElectionDay
• #GrillingSeason
• #BestPicture
• #IceBucketChallenge

Search popular hashtags in your industry

Every advertiser wants to connect with people who are naturally interested in their products and services. To create targetedcontent for your most promising customers, use hashtags related to your work. In many cases, these are simple words and phrases your prospective clients are already searching for. For instance:

• #SkinCare
• #HomeTheater
• #Vegan
• #Offroad
• #Hawaii

Use hashtags for promotions

Boost an existing promotion, like a flash sale, with a series of tweets ending in hashtags. These hashtags serve as a calling card for the promotion and can expand your organic reach across the platform. Be sure to create hashtags that specifically highlight your promotion. For instance:

• #BlackFridaySale
• #BOGO
• #FriendsAndFamily
• #SpruceUpForSpring
• #SaleOfTheCentury

Claim unique hashtags for your brand

Rather than using overused hashtags created by others, create novel ones unique to your brand. Ideally, these hashtags resonate with your target audience’s interests while being distinct enough to associate solely with your brand. Using an unusual combination of words can help you pull this off. For example:

• #FriendsSplashFree
• #MyVibeMyShoes
• #BlueKitchenLife
• #AugustFreeze
• #WhyNotToday