hashtaggin - can an youngen tell me what this does?

[Atomic12C]

Although I'm in my late 30's I think I'm getting old and out of touch with the yoofs of today

So - hashtagging - what does this do when one reads typical mish-mash sentence creations these days that are made up of such things?

I've tried to read a couple of web pages about it and there are mentions of "campaigns" and "groups" and things, but instead do they simply mean "topic" ?
As in a "topic of discussion" - so like a thread title you'd see on pistonheads for example?
(if so , how can that be a "campaign" ?)

I also read its related to twitter. Now I've never had nor want a twitter account - I have no idea of the purpose of twitter - but I am guessing it's like the facebook "wall" ?

Anyways, why are the TV media using hashtags, why do people think that hashtags mean anything outside of twitter?

(Happy to be corrected on any of the above - feel free to flame me for not being with the times !)

[Atomic12C]

Puggit said:

feef said:

Hashtags have been adopted by various flavours of social media including Insta, facebook and Snapchat. It's really just a way of identifying a topic or theme relevant to the subject. It's easier to follow a topic, especially when it's something that's trending or breaking news, by following a hashtag rather than individuals.

This is a good description - using Twitter to follow an event using hashtags.

Forgive my ignorance - this is one part that where things don't join up for me...... if its twitter, then why are people doing it on facebook and other platforms?
Does facebook or other social media automatically link to twitter when a hashtag is used?

[Atomic12C]

TartanPaint said:

Hashtags are basically topics of discussion, ...

Thanks for the full description

I think this confirms what more or less what I had an idea it may be.

I guess in that case I can let the phenomenon pass me by as I don't have any desire to become a twitter-er.

My abuse of PH is probably enough for most people


Cheers.