The Complete Guide to X Hashtags in 2024

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The Complete Guide to X Hashtags in 2024. Today feels like the perfect day to unleash an article I’ve been working on for a while! With Elon Musk’s recent announcement about an algorithm boost, the timing seems ideal for a fresh piece of X content.

My usual stomping ground for content creation is reviews on my website, but today I’m thrilled to kick off a series of exclusive X guides right here!

Forget wading through rumors! Thanks to X’s bold move of open-sourcing their algorithm, we have a clear picture of what’s driving the recent changes. This unprecedented level of transparency makes X a frontrunner in the social media landscape.

One key area of the open-sourced algorithm focuses on hashtags, a crucial element that often trips up small businesses. To help you navigate this, I’ll be sharing the basics of effective hashtag use.

This will ensure your posts reach the right audience and minimise the risk of shadowbans or demoted content.

Less is More.

While X might theoretically function best without hashtags, they remain a valuable tool for many users, particularly small businesses.

Take the #MHHSBD hashtag for instance.

This allows members of a specific community to connect and engage with each other, fostering a sense of belonging.

While X rewards focused content, the exact number of “multiple” hashtags that trigger a penalty is still under debate.

It’s safe to say using just a few relevant hashtags is better than cramming your post with them.

For guaranteed safety, sticking to one highly targeted hashtag is a good strategy.

X’s focus on a limited number of hashtags makes perfect sense when you consider their commitment to a clean and valuable user experience.

The Complete Guide to X Hashtags in 2024

In the past, spammers misused multiple, often irrelevant hashtags, flooding timelines with nonsensical content.

X’s approach helps ensure your feed stays focused and high-quality.

X’s commitment to showing the best content to the right person at the right time is all about creating a truly engaging experience.

This focus on quality keeps users interested and coming back for more.

After all, social media thrives on interaction, and nothing drives users away faster than irrelevant or low-quality content, as evidenced by the decline of platforms like Threads.

Stop Hashtagging Words.

This is a mistake many small business users make, they hashtag common words. There’s no need to hashtag a word, the user will still locate your posts by simply searching within the X search bar as a word.

For example, if you’re selling a red pair of mittens, the mistake small business users make is hashtagging them words as keywords, for example they may write red pair of #Mittens.

By hashtagging the word mittens you’re effectively hotlinking that word, enabling a potential customer to click the hashtagged word and view your competitors items, instead think human, how you sell an item person to person? you wouldn’t say the word hashtag in a conversation.

Even within the X trending section you’ll see both hashtagged and non-hashtagged versions of the word, proof what I’m telling you is accurate.

Remember both hashtagged and non-hashtagged words will appear in the search facility, so don’t waste a hashtag on the word Mitten, there’s no need for it.

Remember, crafting inclusive posts is important. Screen reader users who are visually impaired can find it difficult to navigate content overloaded with hashtags.

Here’s a helpful tip: Capitalise the first letter of each word in a hashtag (like #MyHelpfulHints instead of #myhelpfulhints) to improve readability for those relying on screen readers.

Stop Littering Tags Within the Body Area.

This is vital. Don’t litter hashtags within the body of your posts, no-one #likes #to #read #a #series #of #tagged words.

For maximum results I write out the main body text, including keywords that I want incorporating into a post, ensuring they are used in complete sentences. Then follow up with a separate line of a single hashtag or two on their own away from the main body of your post.

X Pro Tip: Unlock the Power of Long-Form Content.

Crafting long-form content on X Premium opens exciting possibilities!

Remember, hashtags displayed after the post summary are hidden.

Here’s a winning strategy:

  • Targeted Hashtags Up Front: Place one or two highly relevant hashtags within the first line of your post. This ensures they’re always visible, even when the content is collapsed.
  • Compelling Content & Organic Keywords: After your hashtags, craft engaging and informative content. Naturally weave relevant keywords throughout your writing to improve search discoverability.

Benefits:

  • Guaranteed Hashtag Visibility: Your key hashtags grab attention, no matter how viewers see your post.
  • Clean Reading Experience: Separating hashtags keeps your content easy to read and navigate.
  • Organic Search Boost: Using keywords naturally strengthens your post’s ranking in X searches.

By following these steps, X Premium users can leverage long-form content to its full potential and connect with a targeted audience.

Stop Thread Dumping Tags.

Ever seen a conversation on X explode with tags?

This happens when someone replies to a post and tags a bunch of users in their response. Then, the original poster jumps back in, adding even more tags in their reply.

Image shows a spam sign which helps with today's post The Complete Guide to X Hashtags in 2024

This is called thread dumping of tags (yes, something I made up, but makes perfect sense)

Imagine a conversation on X where replies overflow with tags, turning the thread into a sea of usernames and hashtags.

This can actually backfire!

X’s algorithm might interpret it as spam and bury the entire thread, making it invisible to most users.

In other words, excessive tagging can hurt the reach of both the original post and all the replies.

Remember, keep it relevant and targeted to avoid sending your conversation down the black hole!

A conversation overflowing with tags can feel robotic and impersonal. Imagine having a real-life chat where someone throws in hashtags after every sentence – not exactly natural, right? X prioritises genuine interactions, and excessive tagging can trigger their spam filters.

Imagine clicking a hashtag, excited to see a vibrant discussion, only to be greeted by a jumbled mess of unrelated snippets.

This is exactly what excessive tagging in reply threads can create: a confusing and ultimately frustrating experience for users.

X not only wants to keep its platform clean of spam, but also prioritises a smooth user experience.

When a hashtag leads to a confusing mix of conversation fragments, it defeats the purpose of following a specific topic.

Looking to connect with someone on X? The platform offers fantastic features like Direct Messages (DM’s) and Communities for focused conversations.

These tools are perfect for in-depth chats, keeping your interactions out of the public feed and ensuring a clutter-free experience for everyone.

The Allure of the Trend: Why Chasing Hashtags Can Backfire.

It’s tempting to jump on the bandwagon when a word starts trending on X.

But hold your horses! Using a trending hashtag that’s completely irrelevant to your post and target audience can actually hurt your reach.

X’s powerful AI (Grok) can analyse the context of your post, meaning it can tell if a hashtag like “#SportsFanatics” doesn’t quite fit with your picture of those red mittens.

Instead of reaching more people, you might end up confusing your target audience.

Conclusion.

The X social media landscape is constantly evolving, but with the right approach to hashtags, you can stay ahead of the curve.

Remember, hashtags are invitations, not labels. Use them strategically to connect with your target audience, prioritise quality content, and leverage X’s unique features.

By embracing these guidelines, you’ll unlock the true potential of hashtags and transform your X presence into a thriving hub of engagement.

Now go forth and conquer the X-verse!

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my post The Complete Guide to X Hashtags in 2024. If you’d like to add a comment or thought on this post, please use the comments section below. I can also be contacted via the online contact form. Keep up to date with the latest news on social media.

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