Entry #7: Hashtags? Do we still need them to connect on social media?

The early 2010s and the early days of the twitter and Instagram have come and gone and so has most of the relevance hashtags once held over the way we used to find content on social media. Although, less widely used than they once were hashtags still serve a purpose on social media in 2023. So, how has the use of hashtags changed over the years and what has been replacing them? 

First, we must acknowledge that a lot has changed about social media over the years, not just hashtags. Social media platforms that once dominated the market have less some relevance over the last few years, such as Facebook and more recently Instagram. Sites like myspace and Tumblr technically still exist but are no longer considered mainstream social media platforms. 

The newest social media obsession is TikTok. Which does utilize hashtags but is not a major feature of the platform. Like older social media apps hashtags are used as a way to promote content in a way that increases the chances of it reaches a larger audience and the intended audience of the post. #foryoupage is the most is widely used on TikTok, and main content creators use multiple variations of the hashtag on the same post. But, unlike on Instagram and Twitter hashtags are not typically used to find content on TikTok. Searching for specific content is just like searching on the internet, you simply just type exactly what you're looking for into the search bar, there's no need to use a hashtag variation to find the content you're looking for. Hashtags are now utilized less on Instagram and Twitter as well. 

Even though hashtags are still used in order for your content to find its audience. Hashtag movement or activist don't really exist anymore. There is a lot of activism on social media but that practical type of content no longer requires a movement specific catchphrase in the form of a hashtag in order to reach people.