Originally published 2013-07-28. Updated October 16, 2026.
A hashtag can help label a post. It can’t do the work of a clear message.
I’ve used #AskDotty as a recognizable connection to my teaching. That kind of purpose matters more to me than filling the bottom of a Facebook post with unrelated words. Here’s how I’d approach hashtags for a service business today.
Key Takeaways
- A hashtag turns a topic or phrase into a clickable link.
- Write it without spaces; punctuation breaks the tag.
- A hashtag doesn’t override who can see a post.
- Choose tags that fit the content and evaluate business results, not tag counts.
Written by Dotty Scott
Founder of Premium Websites, Inc.
Empowering small businesses to go from Invisible to Invincible.
What Is a Facebook Hashtag?
A hashtag starts with # followed by an unbroken word or phrase, such as #AskDotty. Meta says hashtags make topics clickable in posts on profiles, Pages, and groups. Selecting one opens a feed of related posts.
According to Meta’s hashtag guidance, you can use numbers, but spaces, punctuation, and special characters don’t work inside the tag. You can also search for a hashtag in Facebook’s search bar.
Hashtags Don’t Make Private Posts Public
Facebook says people only see posts shared with them. Adding a hashtag doesn’t remove a post’s privacy restrictions or open a private group conversation to everyone.
Before using a hashtag for an event, I would check where the conversation is happening. A public business Page and a private client group serve different purposes. Don’t promise attendees that a hashtag will collect every discussion into one complete, public record.
Choose a Tag for a Specific Reason
I use three questions: Is this relevant? Is it understandable? Does it help connect this post to something useful?
- Business recognition: A consistent tag can identify your own teaching or recurring topic.
- An event: A distinctive tag can help participants label related posts they choose to share.
- A specific subject: A topic tag should describe what the post actually explains.
Search a proposed tag before adopting it. Check whether it’s already tied to another business, an unrelated campaign, or a conversation you don’t want to join.
Make the Post Useful Before Adding Tags
Imagine a local bookkeeper sharing a checklist for preparing records before tax season. I would lead with the problem and the useful checklist. A relevant tag can sit at the end, but it shouldn’t replace the explanation or the link.
For readability, I prefer capitalizing the first letter of each word in a longer tag, such as #SmallBusinessBookkeeping. That’s an editorial choice, not a promise of better distribution.
If the caption only makes sense after someone decodes ten tags, rewrite the caption. Your ideal client shouldn’t have to work that hard to understand why you’re posting.
Don’t Treat Hashtags as a Reach Guarantee
I wouldn’t promise that one tag, a certain number of tags, or a trending topic will bring qualified clients. Start with a small, relevant selection and compare similar posts over time.
Look for the results you actually want: useful conversations, visits to the right page, inquiries, or registrations. A post can attract attention without helping the business.
When I review a post, I also ask whether the next step is clear. Read my website hub guide for that connection, and use the Facebook scheduling guide to plan the timing.
Common Hashtag Questions
How many should I use?
Use only tags you can explain a reason for including. I don’t recommend a magic number or a reach formula.
Is a hashtag the same as tagging a business?
No. Use the correct Page mention when you want to identify a particular business; a topic label isn’t a substitute for that connection.
Should I join every trending conversation?
No. If the topic doesn’t fit your business or the post, leave it alone.
If your social posts need a stronger connection to your services, schedule a Discovery Call. We’ll start with the message.
Read the rest of the posts in this series: The Honest Truth about Your Website
- Is Your Website Actually Working? (Or Just Sitting There Looking Pretty)
- Why the Phone Isn’t Ringing (And It’s Probably Not What You Think)
- The Truth About AI-Built Websites (What They Don’t Tell You Before You Click Generate)
- The Truth About Wix, Squarespace, and DIY Website Builders
- What a Good Web Designer Actually Does (And Red Flags That Say Run)
- Why Your Competitor Shows Up on Google and You Don’t
- What Is Schema Markup (And Why You Should Care)
- Does Your Business Show Up in ChatGPT? Here’s How to Find Out
