Facebook launched hashtags on their platform back in 2013. Would you believe it?
In the seven(!) years that have passed since, they’ve never really taken off.
But that could all be changing, as we’re seeing new features in Facebook that signify a shift towards prioritizing hashtags.
Can using hashtags on Facebook increase your organic reach?
All signs are pointing towards… yes. Soon.
Mari Smith, renowned Facebook Marketing expert, has noted their rising prominence on the platform.
She acknowledged in a recent Facebook Live (watch it below) that some Facebook users have begun to see notifications prompting them to get more reach by adding hashtags, to browse posts with the same hashtag, and even suggesting hashtags when they type certain words in the post editor.
Over the last few months, Facebook has been testing highlighting hashtags in blue, making them stand out more within the newsfeed.
Facebook also launched support for SMBs struggling after the Covid-19 pandemic, promoting the use of the #SupportSmallBusiness hashtag to help users discover SMBs in the app.
This all signals that Facebook is gearing up to make hashtags a key part of their strategy, pushing their use as a tool for discovery.
You might notice that the hashtag feed pages have been updated and refreshed.
You can find hashtags on Facebook by typing in the search bar. Unlike Instagram, you won’t be able to see the number of uses (except for hashtags they are promoting directly), or related hashtags. You also can’t follow a hashtag yet.
The posts you see on a hashtag discovery page are a mix of publicly visible posts from profiles and pages, and from friends, subject to sharing settings.
So, should we start focusing on hashtags for Facebook?
Definitely start including hashtags in your Facebook posts now!
Mari Smith
If you want to maximize the chances of your posts getting seen on Facebook, it’s a great idea to start testing hashtags. What have you got to lose?
Here are some tips for getting started with using hashtags on Facebook:
- Create groups of hashtags for specific purposes like you do on Instagram, and test out what works for you.
- Use Instagram’s ‘related hashtag’ suggestions to find inspiration if you need ideas.
- Make the hashtags relevant to the post. Don’t spam!
- Consider going back through and adding hashtags to your most popular Facebook posts.
- Create a consistent style for your hashtag positioning.
- If you’re scheduling social media with SmarterQueue, use Snippets to save your regularly-used hashtags so you can add them to your Facebook posts in a click.
How many hashtags should you include in your Facebook posts?
“As many as you want! The character limit for Facebook posts is a whopping 63,206! But, generally I would suggest adding 3-5 key hashtags.”
Mari Smith
Check out our article on Hashtag Strategies to Grow Social Media Engagement for some inspo for your on your next hashtag campaign.
Will you be adding more hashtags to your Facebook posts? What results have you seen so far if you’ve used hashtags? Let us know in the comments! 👇
