The #Hashtag

If you are on a social media network, you must have seen some of these #hashtags around and might be wondering what they are. Hashtags have now infiltrated contemporary culture and advertising campaigns.
Regardless of origin, or how you may feel about hashtags, they will not be going away any time soon.
Hashtags are an efficient method to find content related to specific topics, as well as the people talking about those topics.
Just as searches are conducted on search engines and platforms like Google, Bing, and Yahoo, search also happens on social media platforms. People search every day on Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, YouTube, and other social platforms using words and hashtags with success.
When you optimize conversations, content, and updates with hashtags, they become more visible to others on social media platforms and search engines. A simple click or search for a hashtag will display those using that hashtag in conversation – instantly identifying an audience with common interests. The potential for using the hashtag is limitless on any social media platform.
How many times have you seen a Twitter trend or tweet with a hashtag on it? Clicking on the hashtag is a way to search. While clicking on it reveals all updates with that hashtag, along with related promoted tweets.
Owning a Hashtag?
If you create a hashtag, you can register it on Hashtags.org, which also provides tracking. Twubs.com also allows you to register a hashtag. Although you can't prevent others from using the hashtag, it may be useful to claim a hashtag that could be integral to discussion around a trademark, promotional campaign, or event.
Before now, Twitter was the only place hashtags were used. Now, hashtags appear everywhere, all intended to promote engagement among users. They are a great way to get people talking, and let them jump into the discussion.
Hashtags are often among the most popular topics on various social media platforms. Google+ calls them 'Hot Topics', and Twitter displays 'Trending'. This is an easy way to identify popular streams of conversation that may be relevant to your goals, offering a way for you to insert yourself into the conversation and expand your social network.
Note that Facebook isn't as transparent with hashtag activity, and LinkedIn doesn't yet recognize hashtags.
#Hashtags Are Forever.
Everything on the Internet is forever, except they are brought down by their authors. Hashtags are no exception.
The hashtag is more than a collection of characters, it is a tool to be used to reach new audiences, connect like-minded people, and facilitate streams of conversation.