Engagement is the lifeline of social media. High engagement rate means more conversions, more conversations, and more eyes on your brand. If people are chatting, sharing, and connecting with your brand, it’s a success. If everyone’s quiet…well, that’s not much of a party, is it?
Branded hashtags can boost social media engagement, attract visibility, and encourage your audience to actively participate.
There are concrete strategies for using branded hashtags on social media. There are concrete strategies for using branded hashtags on social media, and we’re gonna take a look at how you can use these strategies to boost your presence. Our main focus will be on the top two platforms, mainly guided by community-driven trends and hashtags, Instagram and TikTok. Let’s get your brand noticed.
What are branded hashtags?
To start with, hashtags are what separate your content on social media into chunks, like creating separate mini-channels within your main account. For example, your Instagram account focuses on wellness, but you cover several subtopics, like nutrition, mindfulness, and fitness. Using targeted hashtags like #YourBrandNutrition, #YourBrandMindfulness, and #YourBrandFitness categorizes these topics on your feed.
Branded hashtags, in turn, are unique tags created specifically for a brand or campaign. Unlike general hashtags like #Fitness or #Foodie, which are highly competitive, your branded hashtag is yours: recognizable, memorable, and associated with your brand.
How do branded hashtags boost engagement?
On Instagram and TikTok, content moves fast, and branded hashtags can help you cut through the noise.
Here’s how branded hashtags can boost engagement:
- Increased visibility and brand recognition: Branded hashtags categorize your content, making it easily discoverable. Every time someone uses your branded tag, it’s free, organic exposure.
- Community building: People don’t follow brands – they join communities. Your branded hashtag becomes the thread tying your followers together, giving them a shared identity and sense of belonging to one another and you as a brand.
- Driving User-Generated Content (UGC): Branded hashtags inspire followers to create authentic content about your brand. UGC builds trust and sparks genuine support, boosting your organic reach.
Some great, famous examples of branded hashtags in use:
- Nike’s #JustDoIt went from a tagline to a global movement.
- Coca-Cola’s #ShareACoke turned ordinary soda drinkers into enthusiasts.
- REI’s #OptOutside encouraged outdoor experiences.
- Chipotle’s #GuacDance triggered a viral sensation with over a billion views.
See the power of strategic branded hashtags? Let’s create yours!
How to create effective branded hashtags?
Now that you are convinced of the effectiveness of branded hashtags, follow these steps to create effective branded hashtags and boost engagement. It will take you three steps to have the best hashtag that will go a long way.
Step 1: Brainstorm
When brainstorming, keep it short, catchy, and true to your brand’s personality. Your hashtag can’t be a random phrase. Otherwise, no one will share it, ever. Think punchy, easy-to-spell, and memorable.
- Strong hashtags: #JustDoIt, #ShareACoke (Easy, memorable, brand-aligned)
- Weak hashtags: #BuyOurProductsRightNow, #SuperLongHashtagNobodyWillRemember (Too salesy, complicated, and forgettable.)
Step 2: Checking for uniqueness
Before committing, check if your hashtag is already in use or has negative connotations. A quick search on Instagram, TikTok, and even Google will save you headaches down the road. Tools like Hashtagify or RiteTag are also super handy here. They can give you insights on hashtag usage, popularity, and even suggest hashtags based on your image.
Step 3: Test your hashtag
Avoid embarrassing mishaps by testing readability. Write the first letter of the words in uppercase, and show it to a few friends first – trust me, fresh eyes help spot awkward or unintended interpretations.
Examples to inspire:
Need a creativity boost? Below are a few successful branded hashtags:
- #AerieREAL – Authentic, empowering, easy to remember.
- #IceBucketChallenge – Fun, actionable, massively viral.
- #MyCalvins – Personal, stylish, community-focused.
Now, it’s your turn! What hashtag will bring your brand to life?
How to successfully integrate and promote branded hashtags?
After creating a branded hashtag comes promoting it, and doing it right makes all the difference. Let’s talk strategy. Here’s a quick, actionable game plan to integrate your branded hashtags into your everyday marketing.
Consistent use in your content
For most cases, you should make your branded hashtag visible everywhere your brand shows up online. For some specific events or campaigns, you may have a hashtag specific to that event or campaign that you’ll use in the posts related to the event or campaign.
In your bio, captions, Stories, Reels, and TikTok videos. The goal is for your followers to associate the hashtag with your brand.
Cross-channel promotion
Don’t stop at social media – promote your hashtag offline as well. Add your branded hashtag to packaging, print it on receipts, display it prominently in-store, or showcase it at events. Imagine your customers seeing your hashtag printed on their coffee cup or on the wall behind the register.
Influencer collaborations
Influencers boost your hashtag’s reach, but choose them wisely. Go for influencers whose values align with your brand, even if their following isn’t massive. Authentic partnerships lead to genuine engagement.
Contests and giveaways
Running a contest is one of the best ways to boost hashtag usage quickly. At the same time, it’s a great way to boost page engagement. Here’s how:
- Give guidelines: For example, “Post your favorite summer memory using our hashtag #SummerWith[YourBrand].”
- Attractive prizes: Make participation irresistible – exclusive products, special discounts, or unique experiences.
- Easy-to-follow instructions: Keep entry rules simple. If it’s easy to participate, more followers/non-followers will jump on board.
Put these tactics together, and your branded hashtag will thrive, bringing your community closer and your brand’s visibility higher than ever.
Instagram vs. TikTok: tips for using branded hashtags
Use these quick tips for including hashtags on each platform:
- Keep hashtags minimal and targeted (3–5 per post, including your branded hashtag).
- Use your branded hashtag consistently across Stories, Reels, and regular posts.
- Follow trends but stay authentic; Instagram favors relevant, genuine hashtag use.
TikTok
- Launch branded hashtag challenges – fun, interactive prompts that encourage user participation.
- Ride existing trends by creatively incorporating your branded hashtag.
- Hashtags strongly influence TikTok’s algorithm and content discoverability; choose hashtags that boost visibility.
What are common mistakes for branded hashtags to avoid?
Alright, so we’ve talked about what to do – but what about the stuff that quietly kills a branded hashtag before it ever takes off? Here is what to watch for:
Using a generic hashtag
If your hashtag could belong to anyone, it’ll get lost in the noise. Tags like #BestDayEver or #SummerFun? They might sound cute, but they don’t point back to you. Your hashtag needs to scream your brand.
Not checking if it’s already used
A quick search on Instagram or TikTok can save you a ton of trouble. You don’t want to accidentally use a hashtag that’s already trending for something completely unrelated or worse, something off-brand.
It’s hard to read
Write your hashtag in all lowercase to check for any weird or unfortunate combinations. If it reads wrong, revise it.
Using too many hashtags
Don’t overload your caption with 15+ tags. It looks spammy and turns people off. Keep it clean, use your branded hashtag plus a few relevant ones that actually support your post..
Not engaging with people using it
If someone takes the time to use your hashtag, show up! Like their post, comment, reshare. If you ignore them, they won’t bother next time.
No reason to use the hashtag
If your audience doesn’t see a benefit, they won’t use it. Give them a reason – start a challenge, host a giveaway, or promise a feature. Make it feel fun and worthwhile.
Avoid these common mistakes, and your branded hashtag will not only get used, but will build momentum, boost your brand, and bring your community together.
Boost engagement with branded hashtags
Adding branded hashtags shouldn’t come from “Oh, my competitors do it, I should also do it.” They should be added strategically to serve the purpose. They’re a pass to bigger conversations, stronger communities, and higher engagement. You now know why they matter (visibility, community, UGC), how to create one (brainstorm, check, test), and where to use it (every post, every channel, every collab).
Engagement growth is one perfect hashtag away. Make some noise and get your community talking about your brand!
FAQ
Do hashtags boost engagement?
Yes, especially on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Hashtags help categorize your content and make it easier for new people to discover your posts. When used intentionally, they can lead to more visibility, more conversations, and more engagement.
Do branded hashtags work?
Branded hashtags turn your audience into active participants by encouraging them to post content related to your brand. They boost reach, build community, and act as a rallying point for user-generated content – just look at campaigns like #JustDoIt or #ShareACoke for proof.
Can I boost a post with hashtags?
Yes, you can, and you should. Hashtags can significantly improve the performance of both organic and paid posts by expanding their reach and relevance. Just make sure your hashtags are aligned with your content and not overly generic.
What is the effect of consistently using branded hashtags on social media?
Consistency is everything. Using your branded hashtag regularly reinforces brand recognition, organizes your content, and helps your audience know exactly where to go to engage. Over time, it creates a digital trail that builds trust and a stronger sense of community.
What is a “branded hashtag,” and why does it matter?
A branded hashtag is a unique, custom hashtag created specifically for your brand or campaign, like #MyCalvins or #OptOutside. It matters because it gives your brand a dedicated space in the social media universe, boosts visibility, invites engagement, and connects your audience under one unified conversation.
