The # symbol was first introduced on Twitter back in 2007. Since then, the hashtag has gone from humble little pound sign to a hyperlinked keyword, a shortcut link that has spread across all social media platforms to become a mainstream marketing communication tool for targeting and optimising messages.
Today, hashtags are so widely used that brands now feature them on advertisements, TV shows and even at sporting events. The hashtag revolution has opened up a world of viral opportunity and has become an essential part of successful marketing campaigns across different social media platforms.
We have come a long way, and the History of #Hashtags infographic below illustrates the phenomenal growth of hashtag popularity.
Source: Offerpop
