Twitter Tools: Decoding the Social Networking Hash Tag Mystery

Within the million tweets 140 character world of Twitter the tiny hash tag aka Pound Symbol [#] is the difference between your messages being seen or being overlooked. Although not an official Twitter feature the hash tag is a simple and effect way to ensure your tweet will appear when others seek out similar information. Hash tagged words are the Twitter equivalent of internet keywords. A simple click on the hash tagged word or a search at search.twitter.com and you will find all the tagged tweets with matching keywords.

The best place to start is by following @hashtags on Twitter then each time you tweet with a hash tag reference it will show up in real-time at the at the hashtags.org website. You can easily check trending topics at their site to see what is relevant. Current popular daily hash tags include #music, #quote, #socialmedia #phone, #news and #jobs.

You can build a community with the hash tag allowing compatible individuals to share Ideas and information. Twitters social media follow Friday event is a good hash tag example and is represented by #followfriday or #ff these tags are used by a majority of Twitterers to spotlight individuals they consider worth following. When a tweet containing the #followfriday hash tag appears click on the tagged word to view a list at search.twitter.com containing follow recommendations.

To create a hash tag is as simple as tweeting #meetmearchie Midvale Theater 7pm Sunday 18th this lets Archie know to where and when to meet you. The added Hash/Pound will allow anyone in your group to check see what you are up to with Archie. Are you watching 24 or #24? If you want your opinion about the show to be found it is an important difference. Have a favorite recipe or just ate at a new restaurant you can hash tag the name and leave a review.

By using hash tags you can create a group, find others watching the same television shows, rate a move or track a charitable cause. It is also an excellent business tool for tracking the trending topics of the twenty-five million plus daily visitors to Twitter. Whether you want your opinion of a favorite book to reach the Twitterverse or want to stay up-to-date for an event the tiny hash will allow you to inform others or be informed.