How to Create Brand Hashtags and Increase Your Brand Presence and Community
- Christopher. H
- Sep 18
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 29
Without hashtags, your content becomes invisible on platforms where discovery matters.
If you’re building a brand in 2026, hashtags are more than just trendy social sprinkles — they’re strategic digital real estate.
Done right, they amplify your reach, build community, and turn your customers into marketers.
Let me show you how to do it — and how to avoid the cringe hashtags that hurt your credibility.
The Branding Fail That Became a Case Study
When McDonald’s launched the hashtag #McDStories to promote feel-good customer moments, Twitter users hijacked it — turning it into a meme minefield of complaints, food horror stories, and sarcastic jokes.
The campaign was pulled within hours.
Why? Because they didn’t think through how the hashtag could be interpreted — or misused.
This is why founders need a real strategy behind branded hashtags.
Let's walk through how to create one that builds your brand — not breaks it.
What Is a Brand Hashtag?
A brand hashtag is a custom, unique hashtag that represents your business, campaign, or community. It’s not just a label—it’s a digital anchor for your content, customer stories, and word-of-mouth momentum.
Here’s what this includes:
Company names or nicknames (#Nike)
Product names or launches (#StartUpDeck)
Campaign slogans (#LeadLikeAFounder)
Values or movements (#MeToo)
Events or community tags (#FoundersUnite)
Each of these can rally your community, track conversations, and boost visibility — if they’re crafted and used intentionally.
Why It Matters
Here’s why I recommend every founder take this seriously:
You Own the Conversation
Hashtags let you track, shape, and amplify the stories being told about your brand — without paying for ads.
They Turn Customers into Content Creators
The right hashtag invites UGC (user-generated content). That’s free marketing from real people.
They Build Brand Recall
A great brand hashtag is memorable, sticky, and aligned with your values — boosting recognition over time.
They Strengthen Community
Hashtags unify your audience under a shared identity. They make your brand feel bigger than just a product.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you create your brand hashtag, make sure you have:
A clear brand voice + tone
Your mission or campaign goal
List of competitor or industry hashtags
Target audience research
Social channels you plan to use (e.g. Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn)
Having these ready upfront will save you hours later and reduce mistakes.
How to Create Brand Hashtags:
Step-by-Step
Step 1: Start with Your Core Message
What’s the idea, movement, or transformation your brand represents?
Mentor Tip:
Your hashtag isn’t about your product — it’s about your promise.
Write 5 values your audience believes in. Reverse-engineer from there.
Warning: If your hashtag only makes sense to you, it won’t stick. Make it inclusive.
Step 2: Brainstorm Short, Sticky Phrases
Think: 1–3 words max. Easy to spell. Easy to say.
No hyphens or punctuation.
Mentor Tip:
Say it out loud. If it’s awkward or unclear when spoken, ditch it.
Use AI or a tool like Copy.ai to generate 50+ ideas and variations fast.
Warning: Check for unintended double meanings, cultural misreads, or accidental profanity.
Step 3: Check for Availability and Clarity
Search on Instagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn.
Has anyone used it? Is it overloaded? Confusing?
Mentor Tip:
Google your hashtag in quotes. If it's been used in negative stories — skip it.
Use DisplayPurposes.com to check real-world usage and spam scores.
Warning: Don’t reuse viral hashtags from other brands. You'll dilute your presence fast.
Step 4: Test It in the Wild Before You Launch
Try it in a few posts. Ask friends or customers how it lands. Refine.
Mentor Tip:
Use a soft launch. Gather feedback. Then go public.
Pin it to your bio, post headers, or packaging once it’s final.
Warning: Don’t launch your hashtag on 6 platforms at once. Focus on 1–2 strong channels first.
Sneak Peak Inside our Brand Hashtag Kit
Our Hashtag Kit is over 35 pages of business resources, including a Template for tracking your hashtags and designed to help you build out your brand guidelines. It is imperative that you instruct your team on how your hashtag strategy and avoid hashtags being used like the example in the intro.
Purpose | Hashtag | Notes |
Brand Name | Main brand anchor | |
Community Name | Used for UGC + testimonials | |
Campaign Tag | Use for launches & events | |
Product/Program | Feature-specific tag |
Snap shot from inside our free Brand Hashtag Starter Kit which will be available soon in 2026... via ProDesk.com to download.
What It Costs and How Long It Takes
Here’s what to budget for:
Strategy + writing: 2–4 hours (DIY)
Designer to brand visual (optional): $200–$500
Social posting tools: Free–$50/month
Hashtag research tools: Free (or ~$10/month)
Costs can vary, but these figures will give you a reliable starting point.
Common Mistakes Founders Make
Making It Too Generic
If your hashtag is too broad (like #Innovation), you’ll be buried in noise. Own your niche.
Launching Without a Plan
Just posting it once won’t work. You need a campaign. A rollout. A story arc.
Ignoring UGC and Community
If your audience uses the tag and you ignore them — you kill the momentum. Engage or lose them.
What to Do Right Now
✅ Need help? Want it done for you? Book with Noize
Our team helps startups build campaigns, hashtags, and strategies that drive actual traction. [Contact the team at Noize.com.au]
✅ Get the full StartUp Deck
One tool. Every step. Includes social, marketing, launch, and branding systems — all in one place. [theStartUpDeck.com]
COMING SOON...
✅ Download: Branded Hashtag Kit
Your quick-start 25+ page guide for founders who want to brainstorm, test, and launch a hashtag strategy. [Download from ProDesk.com]
FAQs
What is a brand hashtag?
A brand hashtag is a unique, custom hashtag that represents your business, campaign, or community on social media. It's used to unify your content and encourage engagement."
How do I come up with a hashtag for my startup?
Start by identifying your brand message, values, and target audience. Brainstorm 1–3 word phrases that are easy to say and spell, and check for uniqueness across platforms.
Should I use the same hashtag on all platforms?
Yes, consistency matters. Use the same branded hashtag across Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and X to build recognition and track engagement.
Can I trademark a brand hashtag?
Hashtags themselves can't be trademarked unless they become widely associated with your brand. You can trademark the phrase or campaign slogan they’re based on.
Do hashtags still work in 2026/2027?
Yes — especially on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. When used strategically, hashtags still improve discoverability and build community in 2026/2027.
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