Hashtags are still a mystery to so many, but they don’t have to be. You just need to do your research; luckily we’ve done it for you.
Meanings change over time and there are always people ready and waiting to ruin current hashtags. But have no fear—these are the hashtags that we’ve found are the most recurring and imply the most impressions after being run through a social media analytics resource.
The first hashtag shown for each day is the Twitter and Instagram hashtag with the most impressions for that day of the week. The second hashtag shown is either second or third on the list of impressions for that day, depending on how relevant it could be to nonprofit organizations as a whole.
For example, Monday’s most popular hashtag on Twitter and Instagram is #ManCrushMonday, which just means you post a picture of your crush. However, that might not apply to your nonprofit (props if you can figure out how to use it and stay on brand). Instead, #MotivationMonday is a hashtag that continues to be at the top of the trending list every week and may be easier to apply to your organization.
Monday
- #ManCrushMonday or #MCM (Twitter users pick a person they have a crush on and post it)
- #MotivationMonday (post about how you keep volunteers or donors motivated)
https://twitter.com/Disneyland/status/666299702393049089/photo/1
Tuesday
- #TransformationTuesday (if you’ve gone through a transformation lately, talk about it)
- #CharityTuesday (no explanation necessary)
Happy #CharityTuesday to all our wonderful supporters – we couldn't do it without you! #PandaHugs pic.twitter.com/2fVY0AyT4y
— WWF UK (@wwf_uk) November 17, 2015
Wednesday
- #WellnessWednesday (post about what wellness means to you)
- #WomanCrushWednesday (like #ManCrushMonday, but, well—you get it)
https://twitter.com/MultiplyingGood/status/654447482148122625/photo/1
Thursday
- #ThrowbackThursday (post a picture or statement you’ve made in the past)
- #ThankfulThursday (make a post about what you’re thankful for)
https://twitter.com/FONZNationalZoo/status/664899244881412097/photo/1
Friday
- #FlashbackFriday (same as #ThrowbackThursday, but on Friday)
- #FollowFriday (call out some of the great people who you follow)
Happy Friday! #FF to NPQ's outstanding newswire writers @DebbieLaskeyMBA, @mlwyland, @GayleNelsonesq, @artfulJohn, @nonprofitgp
— Nonprofit Quarterly (@npquarterly) June 12, 2015
Saturday
- #Caturday (because who doesn’t love cats?)
- #Saturday
Cats are connoisseurs of comfort. – James Herriot #Caturday (pic: Brian Connolly) pic.twitter.com/lRY5VUZApI
— San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (@sandiegozoo) November 21, 2015
Sunday
- #SelfieSunday (just post a selfie of your volunteers or staff members)
- #SelflessSunday (this one applies more easily—talk about where you’ve seen selflessness)
https://twitter.com/RMHCofGreaterDC/status/665923265118998529/photo/1
Quick Note on Hashtags
The big three make a big fuss over hashtags (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). Here’s what I’ve found on how many hashtags to use per platform for the best reach and engagement thanks to the help of EdgeRank Checker’s research and personal experience.
1) Facebook
2) Instagram
If you use over 11 hashtags, you technically get the best reach because it shows up when people search different topics or when new things are trending. But 11 hashtags? We’ve all seen people overusing hashtags and it looks ridiculous—no one actually reads all of those hashtags besides Instagram’s algorithms. They steer people away from engagement.
I recommend using between 1 and 3 hashtags.
3) Twitter
Twitter and Instagram are very similar, only Twitter limits you to 140 characters, and less if you post a photo with your Tweet (which you should do often). That means there isn’t going to be room for something crazy like 11 hashtags.
Using two hashtags is a good sweet spot—one would suffice and three would be pushing it.
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