#️⃣
Number Sign Keycap
HASH mark KEY-cap
Definitions
1
Digital · Social Media
Very Common
Represents a hashtag symbol used to tag content on social media platforms, making topics searchable and trackable.
Used to indicate trending topics or categorization of content, especially on Twitter/X, Instagram, and TikTok.
Don't forget to use #️⃣ to make your post discoverable!
Social media tutorial
The #️⃣ symbol has revolutionized how we organize conversations online.
Digital marketing blog
Transformed online communication by enabling topic grouping and discovery across platforms since 2007.
2
Technology · Communication
Common
Represents the pound key or number sign on telephone keypads and digital interfaces.
Used in automated phone systems ('Press # to continue') or to indicate numerical designation.
After entering your account number, press #️⃣ to confirm.
Automated phone system instructions
Predates social media usage as a functional button on telephones since the 1960s.
Evolution Timeline
1968
Introduced on Bell Telephone touchtone keypads as the 'octothorpe' button.
Expansion of telephone technology requiring additional function keys
2007
Chris Messina proposed using # for grouping topics on Twitter, coining modern 'hashtag' usage.
Need for organizing conversations on emerging social media platforms
2009
Twitter officially integrated hashtag functionality with hyperlinked # symbols.
Growing user adoption of hashtag convention for topic categorization
2011
Instagram adopted hashtags, expanding their use beyond text to categorize images.
Cross-platform standardization of content discovery mechanisms
Cultural Context
The symbol transformed from a telephone button to a pivotal social media tool, fundamentally changing how information is categorized online.
The term 'hashtag' evolved from technical jargon to mainstream vocabulary, even entering verbal communication as people say 'hashtag' before topics in speech.
Hashtags democratized trend creation, allowing any user to potentially start worldwide movements through strategic tagging.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
Called 'hash' rather than 'pound sign' to avoid confusion with the pound sterling symbol (£).
United States
Commonly called 'pound sign' on telephone systems but 'hashtag' in social media contexts.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Generally understand hashtag functionality but use more sparingly than younger generations.
Gen_Z: Integral to social media navigation; used strategically to maximize content visibility on TikTok and Instagram.
Older: Often confused about proper hashtag usage; may overuse or misplace hashtags in digital communication.
Millennials: Adopted as both functional tool and ironic commentary; pioneered hashtag activism for social causes.
Common Combinations
#️⃣1️⃣
Indicates something is top-ranked or first place.
Used in competitive contexts or to highlight premier status of something.
#️⃣🔥
Represents a trending or 'hot' hashtag gaining popularity.
Used to indicate viral topics or rapidly spreading social media trends.
#️⃣✅
Indicates a completed challenge or successfully used hashtag campaign.
Often used in marketing contexts to show campaign success.