When it comes to digital marketing, SEO, and social media, two important terms often come up: hashtags and keywords. While they may seem similar, they serve different purposes and are used in different ways. Understanding the distinction between them can help you optimize your content for better visibility, engagement, and searchability.
What Are Keywords?
Keywords are specific words or phrases that people type into search engines like Google, Bing, or YouTube to find relevant content. They help search engines understand what your content is about and determine where it should appear in search results.
Where Are Keywords Used?
- Website content (blog posts, product descriptions, homepage text)
- Meta titles and descriptions (SEO elements that impact rankings)
- Alt text for images (helps Google understand image content)
- URLs and file names (keyword-rich URLs perform better in search results)
Example of Keywords in Action
Let’s say you run an online shop selling handmade candles. You would use keywords like:
- “Handmade soy candles”
- “Best scented candles for relaxation”
- “Non-toxic candles for home”
What Are Hashtags?
Hashtags (#) are clickable words or phrases used on social media platforms to categorize content and increase discoverability. They allow users to find posts on a specific topic and help platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok, and LinkedIn group content together.
Where Are Hashtags Used?
- Social media posts (Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest)
- Stories and reels on Instagram & Facebook
- YouTube video descriptions and comments
- Pinterest pin descriptions (though Pinterest focuses more on keywords than hashtags)
Example of Hashtags in Action
Using the same handmade candle business example, your hashtags might look like this:
- #HandmadeCandles
- #SoyCandles
- #HomeDecor
- #CandleLover
- #EtsyShop
Key Differences Between Hashtags and Keywords
| Feature | Keywords | Hashtags |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Helps with SEO & website rankings | Helps with social media discoverability |
| Where Used? | Websites, blogs, Google search | Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest |
| Format | Plain text (“best handmade candles”) | Uses # symbol (#HandmadeCandles) |
| How They Work? | Helps search engines categorize content | Helps social platforms group posts together |
| Longevity | Long-term (evergreen search ranking) | Short-term (content visibility decreases over time) |
| Best For | Blog posts, product pages, SEO content | Social media posts, discoverability, trending topics |
How to Use Keywords and Hashtags Together Effectively
To maximize your reach, you should use both keywords and hashtags strategically:
- Use keywords in blog posts, product pages, and website content to rank higher in search engine results.
- Use hashtags on social media to make posts discoverable by people searching for specific topics.
- Repurpose keywords as hashtags when applicable (e.g., “handmade soy candles” → #HandmadeSoyCandles).
- Use hashtags for short-term engagement and keywords for long-term SEO visibility.
Final Thoughts
Both hashtags and keywords are essential for online visibility, but they work differently. Keywords help with long-term SEO and ranking on search engines, while hashtags boost engagement and discoverability on social media. When used correctly, they complement each other, helping businesses, content creators, and freelancers grow their audience effectively.
By understanding and implementing the right balance, you can ensure your content reaches the right people at the right time—whether they’re searching on Google or browsing their favorite social platform.
Would you like additional examples or recommendations tailored to your industry? Let me know how I can refine this further!
