A Lesson on #Hashtags

One of my greatest pet peeves (I have a lot of pet peeves) is the misuse of hashtags. I am a firm believer that if you don't know how to use them, you just shouldn't try. But since no one seems to follow that rule, I've decided to post a lesson on how to properly use hashtags. You're welcome.

Rule #1: Only use Hashtags on Appropriate Forums

Hashtags don't work everywhere. You can use hashtags on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and now (much to my dismay) Facebook. Hashtags are meant to link together similar posts. If your hashtag doesn't turn into a link then you are not allowed to use it. So don't even think about texting me a hashtag! And saying it in normal conversation? Just no. (This goes out to you, boyfriend)

(Okay, so this meme no longer applies. Pretend it says "blogger" or "YouTube" or "iChat")

Rule #2: You CANNOT use Punctuation!

No, really, you can't. It ends the hashtag. This is the one time in life that punctuation is NOT important! If you type #SorryI'mNotSorry then your hashtag is just #SorryI. Yeah, Sorry I suck at hashtags.

Rule #3: You Can't Use Spaces, Either

Again, the hashtag ends when hit the space bar.  So don't hit the space bar until the hashtag is over, which brings me to my next point...

Rule #4: #Dontmakeanentiresentenceahashtag

Keep it short! Again, hashtags are meant to bring similar posts together. No one else is going to post #mycatissofunnywhenhelaysonehisbackandcloseshiseyeshahaha, so you shouldn't either. Just pick a short phrase for the hashtag, it's okay if part your status is just a normal sentence.

#sillycat will suffice

Rule #5: Less is More

#Do #not #put #a #hashtag #before #every #single #word. This seems to be a huge problem on instagram. Not only is it unnecessary, it's hard to read. Please don't do that, for everyone's sake.

And now you know how to properly use hashtags! Be sure to share this post with every hashtag abuser you know ;)

PS. I'm linking up with Dawn's Disaster for #BlogTwitLov... it seemed very appropriate today!



I'm ALSO linking up with Shanna for Random Wednesday!