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Want to make the most of every pin you add to Pinterest? That extra boost of marketing energy can be found in the “hashtag.” Here are all my best tips for using hashtags on Pinterest. They can be surprisingly helpful for your traffic.
If you’re new to social media marketing, hashtags are those little links that are preceded by the pound sign (#). To your customers, hashtags will mean nothing. To you, hashtags may mean the difference between having your posts found though search or rarely seen. Most people think they are familiar with hashtags, but I do see people making some errors with their hashtags on Pinterest.
Note: Pin scheduler Traffic Wonker has sadly gone out of business, but owner and CEO Andy Fling has given me permission to share his useful Pinterest research and other information on my site. I jumped at the chance as Andy is the smartest guy I know when it comes to Pinterest!
How to Create a Hashtag
Pinterest Experts recommend publishing 10-100 pins per day. However, their recommendations are generally based on a hunch rather than a data-driven study.
1) The Tag
Every hashtag begins with a tag – the pound symbol on your keyboard.
2) Spaces
Spaces are never used.
If your hashtag uses multiple words, group them together. If you want to help people read the hashtag easier, use a capital letter to start each word. A search for #DisneyMovie yields the same results as #disneymovie, but one is easier to read.
3) Numbers
Include numbers if you like.
4) Punctuation
Avoid punctuation marks. They clutter your hashtags.
There’s no preset list of hashtags. While there are some that are common, what is common may not be the perfect solution for your business.
Finding the Perfect Hashtag
Our theme song has always been, “Do what the big guys are doing.” If they became the big guys with the hashtags they’re using, copy them.
Search Pinterest for similar pins to see what’s getting repinned the most. If the hashtags are right for your pins, use them.
The Recommended Number of Hashtags
It’s easy to go overboard with hashtags. After all they help your posts get found. However, you need to consider that being found is not your only objective. Ultimately, your Pinterest pin was created for potential customers – real people. If you write for the search engines, your potential customers will find your pin, but they may not be engaged when they do. Limit hashtags to 1 or 2.
While the following stats aren’t Pinterest specific, they do clearly indicate the value of the hashtag in social media. All signs indicate the hashtag is as significant on Pinterest.
When to Avoid Hashtags
Some marketers make a habit of turning every keyword into hashtag, cluttering their description. They get people to their pin, but forgot their goal – getting people excited about the product. Include hashtags after your description.
The Value of Popular Hashtags
Using popular hashtags helps your post be found in Pinterest search results. The hashtag allows you to place keywords in the description box that are difficult to include organically. We include popular hashtags in many of our pins – #SocialMedia and #PinterestTips – and choose to capitalize the first letter of each word for easy reading.
The only downside is visitors clicking on the hashtag is that they are delivered away from your pin, to a large collection of pins sharing the same hashtag. While the hashtag does help to attract views, it also creates an escape route – through the clickable link. Generally it’s still a better idea to include one than not.
The Value of Using Unique Hashtags on Pinterest
Using unique hashtags have the opposite effect. Few people will ever search for your unique hashtag, but the click through on your unique hashtag allows you to direct your audience to more of your pins. We also include a unique hashtag – #SocialMediaAutomation – in select pins. The use of a unique hashtag will in effect multiply its value, showing a potential customer many pins and therefore providing many points of entry to your website.
by Andy Fling
Founder and CEO of TrafficWonker.com
Here are some other posts from Andy that you might find helpful:
How to Make Your Pins Go Viral
Is Your Pinterest Account Leaking Massive Traffic?
Social Media Scheduling Tips
Blogging resources I love and recommend:
SiteGround – I have four sites hosted through SiteGround and I’ve used them for years. They’re cheap and their customer service is AMAZING – very fast, very helpful. Learn more about SiteGround HERE.
Tailwind – I’ve been working with Tailwind for about five years. They are the pin scheduler of choice and it is jam-packed with great features. If you haven’t already, sign up for a FREE month of Tailwind HERE.
Legal Templates – You are required by law to have a certain package of legalese on your blog. You need to have copyright notices, privacy policies, and various other terms and conditions to protect yourself from being sued. The package I recommend is created by Amira Law – a lawyer who specializes in all aspects of blogging and internet business legalities. Learn more about these Legal Templates HERE.
Pinterest Resources – Pinterest is definitely my jam. I can do a personalized Pinterest/Tailwind audit where I go over your account with a 30-point checklist and then set up a Zoom call with you to give you TONS of suggestions. Order the Pinterest Audit HERE.
HIRE ME – I make a full-time living taking great care of my blogger peeps. I’ve done Pinterest Management for the last five years for dozens of clients. I set up mailing lists, automations and build pop-ups for people. I can also build you a simple website. To learn more – go HERE.
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