Why Hashtags at Twitter?

Posted by Laura Bergells

May 16, 2008

Hash is in the air!

Not only did I enjoy “Hippy Hash” at a local diner recently, I also discovered the joys of using hashtags at Twitter.

What the? Why Hashtags?

Hashtags are a joyous way to track only certain Twitter posts. For example, if you’re at a conference, you might want to use a previously agreed upon hashtag in any Tweet that covers the conference. That’s what the attendees at the recent NAR conference did — you can actually follow the conference through their hashtagged Tweets at http://hashtags.org/tag/nar_midyear. Those of us who couldn’t attend the conference still felt like we were there!

Another example: yesterday, I started the #ATT_unwanted hashtag. I will only use this hashtag in my Tweets when I get yet another unwanted AT&T telephone solicitation. Instead of getting irritated with AT&T for continuing to plague me with unwanted phone calls, the hashtag is an easy way for me (and others!) to log the abuse. (If you keep getting unwanted AT&T calls, feel free to Tweet the details with the hashtag #ATT_unwanted.)

Backstory: for months, I’ve been getting an almost daily phone call from a person who claims to be an AT&T rep. When I tell the rep it’s the umpteenth time I’ve told them to put me on the “do not call” list, they all smugly say, “This is the first time I’ve personally called you.” One rep explained that when I tell each AT&T rep to put me on “donotcall” — they pass my number on to another AT&T rep. The rep said (nastily), “AT&T is a huge company. Ever hear of it? We found a way around the “donotcall” list by passing your number on to the next rep. We’re not going to stop calling until you buy from us. We’re way bigger and way more powerful than you’ll ever be. You might as well give up now: someone from AT&T will keep calling until you do.

Like I’d do business with a company with that kind of ‘tude!

As Twitter friend @phits said, “Lame!”

How to Hashtag

Hashtagging with Twitter is 4-step easy!

First, get a free Twitter account, natch.
Next, follow @hashtags
Thirdly, in the appropriate Tweet, use the pound sign (#) followed by a unique & descriptive phrase (the hashtag)
Finally, follow your hashtagged tweets at http://hashtags.org/tag/enter-your-hashtag-name-here

How to Give Your Hashtags Meat

If you’ve invented a new hashtag for an event and you want other Twitterers to participate and follow, you’re going to have to let them know what your hashtag is!

And by following hashtags organized around an interesting subject area — who know? You may find more Twitter friends to connect with!

What are some of your favorite hashtag uses at Twitter?