A hashtag strategy for Telegram channels
Change how you think about hashtags
On instagram or Twitter; when a user clicks a hashtag they are performing a type of search and will see tagged content from across the platform. Not your content. The messaging platform Telegram, which supports channels, is rather different.
Telegram channel search returns tagged content from that channel.
If you don't use Telegram the best way to view a channel is via it's preview page.
Below is a screenshot of the preview page from Team Fordzilla's Telegram channel. We'll use that as an example.
Channel admins, of which I am one, can add hashtags to posts when publishing.
See above how a channel's preview page has a search box (highlighted).
In practical terms, hashtags should be considered as channel themes, which can be clicked to show more posts related to the same theme.
Below are a couple of examples.
The hashtag #helpTFZ is active.
The hashtag #P1 is active.
Strategy
Any text can be turned into a hashtag. Admins simply add # immediately proceeding the word they wish to be a search trigger.
Remember search terms are local. Not global. So it makes sense to use tags which are, or will be, applied to multiple posts.
Hashtags should not be used ironically. They are a tool for admins to present alternative views of similarly themed channel content.
On Inside Ford I am applying product related tags. Above is a screenshot of the #FordGT tag. There exists content already for #PumaST, #FordTransit, #MustangMachE etc.
As well as product tags there are theme tags for: #Tech (technology), #EV (Electric Vehicle), #Performance and #AV (Autonomous Vehicle).
Conclusion
Hashtags for public Telegram channels are an easy way for channel admins to organise the presentation of channel content around themes which they define.
This is a powerful feature, but requires a consistent strategic approach in order to yield value.
