This week, the Wall Street Journal spotted a new feature Twitter is testing that provides definitions of hashtags.
The WSJ noticed the feature by searching for hashtags in the
iOS app. When a popular hashtag is searched, a definition will appear,
i.e. "#OITNB Orange is the New Black" and "#rt Russia Today."
These hashtag explanations could help marketers quickly find the
meaning behind trending hashtags, creating an opportunity to jump in on
the conversation and also avoid snafus like tweeting a hashtag for the
wrong reasons — like the Celeb Boutique #Aurora incident.
Dive Insight:
If the feature becomes a mainstay, the hashtag definitions could
really help marketers navigate the system. Sometimes, it's not always
clear what a trending hashtag is about — especially if a lot of users
are misinterpreting it. With a little more explanation, marketers can
find hashtags that will work to their advantage.
