Originally hashtags were used on Twitter as a way to better find topics of interest. Using the example for the weight loss hashtag, anyone looking to find information about losing weight would type into the social media search bar #weightloss and all posts with that hashtag would appear starting with the most recent.

But the use of hashtags has become so popular that Twitter is no longer the only social media network that uses them. In addition to Twitter the following networks use hashtags.

• Facebook
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• Google+
• YouTube
• Tumblr
• Orkut
• Fluidinfo
• FriendFeed
• And a few other smaller networks

You may have noticed that one popular social media network is not listed above and that network is LinkedIn.

LINKEDIN IS PLAYING CATCH UP

Despite the immensely popularity of hashtag use in social media, LinkedIn is still in the process of retooling to accept their use. However this does not mean that you should not use hashtags when posting to LinkedIn and here is why.

Though the desktop computer version of LinkedIn does not support, or fully support at this time, the use of hashtags, the mobile app version of LinkedIn does support them. So if you should post any of your content on LinkedIn, use hashtags regardless, because those viewing your post from a mobile device will be able to find it quicker than those using the desktop version.

UPDATE - LINKEDIN DOES USE HASHTAGS ON BOTH DESKTOP & MOBILE APPS

NEXT UP = Where to find current trending hashtags for your immediate area and worldwide