Keywords and hashtags sound a lot alike. Are they the same? If things were not complicated enough, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and practically every other social media platform has added more to the confusion. Can your Twitter hashtag be found on Facebook by conducting a hashtag search? Do hashtags expire? What role do they play in your SEO? 

The Difference between Hash Tags and Keywords!

Hashtag is used within social networking websites such as Facebook and Instagram. As the name suggests, the words or phrases follow the # sign. They are usually more specific, they are labels you attach with your blog.

What Is a HashTag?

The Dictionary definition of Hashtag is as follows:

A word or phrase preceded by a hash mark (#), used inside a message to identify a keyword or subject of interest and facilitate a search for it.

There was a time when keywords were the most essential SEO element for any website for earning better ranking with search engines.  Their importance has not waned over the years. However, Google and other search engines are employing other elements with keywords with search engine ranking factors.

A hashtag is similar to the keyword. Its use is also similar. But their application is quite broad. In its simplest form, a hashtag is just a # symbol followed by a keyword. However, hashtags are more immediate, and a means of short term promotion. Hashtags help to provide social search engine optimization. While people on search engines simply enter keywords into the search box, people use # in front of the keyword and search for the relevant tweet, Facebook status, or Instagram post.

How does hashtag work?

Hashtags are mostly associated with the current trend. On Twitter there is an option of looking up the latest trends. We find many hash tagged phrases, words and sentences in the trending section. It includes the topic of discussion most popular at that very time. Hence, hashtag achieves short term goals. For instance, during election days, the topic begins to trend, and people begin to jump on the band wagon by quoting their views and using the hashtag. Similarly, a viral topic might become a trend, and people will use the hash tag associated with it to give their two cents on the topic.

On Instagram, the idea is similar. When you search the phrase following the # symbol, you will all the posts relevant to the post. Usually on Instagram the influencers, or people introduce the hashtag and then work on it. A social media influencer can use their handle name as a hash tag, and constantly use it in their posts. This will help their hashtag in achieving popularity. With time, as their posts will increase, the hashtags will increase as well.

However, to own any hashtag, or make it unique to yourself you need to consider the following factors:

• Choose a unique phrase for the hashtag
• The hashtag should be short and to the point
• Keep a look out on the people using the hashtag!
• Mention your hashtag everywhere
• Constantly and regularly use it on your Instagram posts
• Use it in your other social media platforms as well
• Use the hashtag on your website, blogs, and posts
• Make it catchy and easy to remember

What is a Keyword?

Detailed keyword search is still important for website optimization. There are several ways to determine the appropriate keyword for optimization. Analyze the prevalent keyword. It means to survey the most popular keyword currently. What are people searching for? Which keywords have your competitors chosen and lastly, which keywords describe your site most accurately.

Using keywords on your Website

Keywords require strategy. You cannot just randomly come up with a keyword and throw it at your page hoping people will look for it in their search engines. Compelling content is all about providing value to people, not sending them inklings about what to search for. For organic traffic, organic effort is required. 

While coming up with a keyword consider the following aspects

Coin a unique keyword. But it should be employed on every single page of your website. It will assure people and bots that you have what they want. It includes the title tag, as well as the body of the content.

Do not Employee Click baits. Click baiting might seem like a quick and easy way of attaining attention. However, it comes with numerous drawbacks. People might visit the sight once. However, after realizing they have been hoodwinked, they might not return to your page. 

Further, disguising the essence of the content of the page, you might be missing out on some strong keywords.

Work your main keyword into the URL. Also, an H1 tag, the main description, the attributes of the pictures shared on the page, will all give clues to search engine on what you are trying to convey through your content.

Using keywords in various aspects of your website is the best way to target your audience. The process is slow. It will not catapult you to the top rank in the blink of the eye. Nevertheless, it is an important SEO element. This is the basic step you need to follow for your business to climb the ladder of SEO.

Conclusion

Hashtags and keywords encompass similar ideas. Their implementation is also similar to some extent. The main difference between the two is their use. Hashtags is a social trend setter, and is aimed at short term goals. For instance, election results, a movie premiere or Marti Gras. 

Keywords, on the other hand, are an essential SEO element. It helps to bring the website into the spot light, and its goals are long term. This could include searching for a leather jacket, or an ice cream flavor. It is not a trend. You will need to buy a jacket every winter, and you will yearn for ice cream every summer, and sometimes during long winter nights. 

Both are important if you want your brand to gain popularity. However, both require patience and considerations before implementation.