A question clients often ask us: “What’s the difference between a # (hashtag) and @ (tag or handle) in social media?” In this post, we’ll break down these two commonly misused social media terms (hashtags and tags), and explain what they are and how to use them.

# (Hashtags)

Hashtags are a way to show the keywords of your post and an additional way to tell the platform what your content is about. They are searchable terms that allow users to see all of the content under a specific hashtag. Hashtags are helpful in finding and connecting with relevant communities for your businesses and clients.

# (Hashtags) Best Practices

• We recommend using 5-10 hashtags. On Instagram, 30 hashtags is the maximum you can use, but that is not ideal or recommended.
• Include a mix of broad (>1m posts under that hashtag) and niche (<5k-100k posts) hashtags.
• Hashtags are best used on Instagram.
• If you use other platforms (like TikTok, Facebook, or LinkedIn), use no more than 3 hashtags per post.

The best application of hashtags is something commonly debated. Some believe it’s best to use them in the caption of your post, others believe it’s better to use hashtags in the “first comment” on your post. (Meaning you would comment under your own post after it’s been posted with the hashtags you want to use). While research suggests that posting hashtags in the caption may have a slightly higher reach and engagement, some users feel that it clutters the caption section and may feel “spammy”. Therefore, they prefer to post hashtags in the comment section.

@ (Tags)

Tags, also referred to as handles, usernames, or your “at”, are a way to “mention” a specific user or account. Tags allow people to directly visit the page of the tagged account and notifies that account that they’ve been tagged. It’s important to note that the word “tag” is broadly used on social media but it actually has two applications.

How to Use @ (Tags)

1. Tagging someone in the caption itself (ex: I love my new branding from @newmangraceinc). Using this method of tagging makes the account you are tagging more visible to viewers at a glance. The tag is a live link and allows users to visit that account just by tapping on it.
   • Note: this is also used in relation to being “tagged in a comment” where a user might “mention” your business through a comment on another persons post. For example, a user posts a video asking their followers: “I need a financial planner ASAP! Tag your favorite CFPs in the comments.” and followers will comment and tag/mention a business and that businesses account will be notified of the tag.
2. Tagging someone on the image or video. This allows the content to show up on that account’s tagged images and can keep your caption area visually cleaner if you have to tag multiple accounts. Viewers will have to tap on the image itself for the tags to populate at which point then can tap on the tag itself and be taken to that tagged account.

@ (Tags) Best Practices

• Don’t tag accounts that aren’t in your content! We know that you might want organizations that you or your business are a part of to see all of your content, but this isn’t advised.
• If you are tagging personal accounts (ie: your employees), make sure the you always have that person’s permission first.

Hashtags, Tags, Posts, Stories, DM’s — social media jargon can at times be difficult to understand and is constantly changing. Nonetheless, it’s important to understand the different terms and how to use them appropriately in order to maximize the benefits of social media platforms. See how Newman Grace can help your business in the social media world and beyond.