Hashtag
Hashtag
A symbol added to social media posts to sort them by topic, making it easier to find posts on the same subject.
In Simple Terms
A hashtag is a way of attaching "#" plus a keyword to a social media post so it gets grouped together with other posts on the same topic. For example, people add a set hashtag when live-posting about a TV show or sharing their thoughts on an event. This lets users all over the world pull up every post that shares the same hashtag and connect with each other over a common topic.
Behind the Name
The name "hashtag" comes from combining "hash," which refers to the "#" symbol, with "tag," meaning a marker or label. Attaching this marker to a post is what groups it together with others on the same topic.
Take a Closer Look!
A hashtag is a feature on social media where you write "#" followed by a specific keyword to sort a post into a group.
Using one lets you file the information you share under a particular topic, making it easier for other people who share the same interest to find it.
To put it simply, think of it like sticking a label onto a post on the internet's giant bulletin board, marking which topic it belongs to.
For example, if you post a travel photo with the hashtag "#KyotoTrip," people searching for information about Kyoto can discover your post when it turns up under that same hashtag.
This feature isn't limited to personal posts, either — it's also widely used by companies for promotions and to help build excitement around events.
Since users voluntarily spread posts by attaching the same hashtag themselves, it's used as a way to get information out to a lot of people without spending extra money.