hashtag?? What does it mean?

[Stephanie]

What does it mean when someone does a #hashtag on twitter or instagram??

[Javelina]

A hash tag, or hashtag is literally the hash symbol, which looks like this # and a word that follows it.

On Twitter, or Instagram or Google+ it is provides an easy way of searching for whatever word or phrase follows the hash sign.

For example, if I posting something on Twitter about a place that people follow a lot, but is two words in length, I could use #srilanka and that would make it easier for people who are looking for events relating to Sri Lanka.

Often, people will talk about an event or a celebrity, but don't want to use the @ sign and the person's name, as that is like trying to get their attention. So if you are talking about a Nicki Manaj concert, you might want to say #nicki. Or for a Lady Gaga song, say #pokerface.

People also use hashtags that they make up like #wtfwasthat or #catcontent or for entering a raffle/ lottery contest. Community events are another reason, whether serious or for entertainment. For example, the hashtag #occupy was used seriously. The hashtag #bronxcobra was part of a joke. This works the same way on Instagram.