No Viral Boost for Facebook Posts Containing Hashtags

Brands aren’t benefiting from the use of hashtags in their Facebook posts, according to an EdgeRank Checker analysis. Based on an examination of 500 pages that posted with and without a hashtag during July, the study finds that median viral reach per fan was actually lower for posts containing hashtags (0.8%) than for those without (1.3%). Median engagement per fan (0.22% vs. 0.25%) and median organic reach per fan (12.47% vs. 13.35%) were also lower for posts containing hashtags, though by decidedly smaller margins. (more…)