Does Snapchat Use Hashtags at All?

Hashtags are an important social media feature that we use to associate posts that follow a certain theme. Since Snapchat is one of the most popular social media platforms, you would expect hashtags to be an integral part of it – but in reality, they’re not.

You may know that it was Twitter that started using hashtags. Other social media platforms chose to copy it. But of course, not everybody believes in copying or following others. One of them is Snapchat, which might or might not make the platform even more attractive to users.

The thing is, you will rarely see any #hashtags on Snapchat. This is because the platform doesn’t recognize hashtags in the same way as Instagram or Twitter. So, when you try to type #something in the search bar, you’re not going to get highly relevant results (or at least what you’d expect).

On the other hand, Snapchat employs some similar alternatives that you can use instead, such as Geofilters. Keep reading to see if they might be more awesome, or not as awesome, as hashtags.

Are There Hashtags on Snapchat in Any Form?

If you are wondering if you can find hashtags in people’s snaps – you can certainly find them except they don’t technically work like hashtags. Snapchat allows you to add your own text, so you can type something to that effect. For example, you can see #party and #fun on a person’s snap. This doesn’t count as hashtag since it doesn’t link to the same hashtags on the platform.

Currently, the only use of a hashtag is to filter news stories in the search bar. If you type any word with a hashtag in the search bar, the app will list various media articles that contain that word. Other than that, hashtags as a form of linking do not exist on Snapchat.

Snapchat Geofilters

The closest thing to a hashtag on Snapchat is the Geofilter feature. At first, users could only use ready-made filters for certain locations, but as the feature evolves, you can now not only use a Geofilter for a business, store, or event, but you can also make one yourself – if you pay for it.

For example, if you plan on throwing a party, you can create a cool Geofilter that all the people who are invited to the event may use. This way a bunch of users will be able to see the filter and gain some insight.

To create your filter, you have to visit Snapchat’s On-Demand Geofilter page and create your own unique Geofilter. Snapchat offers a bunch of templates that you can use. Or, you can make them by using some of the online Geofilter makers. For example, Adobe Spark is quick, free, and loaded with templates and effects.

After creating a filter, you should upload it with the self-serve tool.

When you do this, you will have to set how long your filter will last. Note that the time is in Eastern Standard Time (EST) so make sure to adjust it to your local time. Once you set the filter, you can’t change the timeframe.

The next part is adding an area where you want to make your filter available. This area is called a geofence and all the people within this location will be able to use it. Draw your fence in any shape that suits you, but keep in mind that Snapchat charges by the size of the fence.

When you finish setting up the area, the app will take you to the payment screen to add the final touches. After you type in your payment information, just submit and the Snap team will review your filter. It usually takes them 1-2 business hours to approve your Geofilter.

Once they approve it, everybody inside the fence can use it. You can track the metrics of your Geofilter and see how many users used it and how many viewed it.

Linking via Snapchat Paperclip

Another interactive option that can sort of replace hashtags is the Paperclip feature. Paperclips allow you to add a link to your Snap that other users can visit by swiping up on your Snap.

You can use a Paperclip to link certain articles, topics, places, and events. Do you see how it can work like a hashtag now?

When you take a snap, you will see a paperclip icon that you can use among the tools on the right. When you tap it, you’ll be able to type in a link that other users can visit.

Will There Ever be a Hashtag Option on Snapchat?

If there’s one thing that we’ve learned about the internet, that would be to never say never. But for now, Snapchat doesn’t even allow its users to put hashtags in Geofilters.

Snapchat has a ton of interesting features of its own like Paperclip, Geofilter, Snap Map, and more. There are a lot of apps that use hashtags, so we can at least hail Snapchat as being original in this regard.