Google: We Treat Hashtags As Words In Content

Mar 2, 2023 - 7:41 am 2 — by

Google Hashtag

Google's John Mueller said on Twitter, "when it comes to web pages in Google Search, hashtags are just words, they have no special meaning or effect." So if you are big into #hashtagging everything, Google will consume it as just content on the page.

Here are those tweets:

Previously, Google's John Mueller said it was okay to use hashtags in meta descriptions. As I wrote then, I don't think it matters if you use hashtags in meta descriptions or not. I mean, it might be more eye-catching if Google uses your meta description for the search result snippet - but maybe Google is less likely to use it because it has a hashtag. I don't know. It is something one can test out over time...

The confusion with hashtags and Google probably comes when it comes to using them in URLs or links. Google tends to ignore any part of what comes after the hashtag in the URL. Those hashtags or pound signs are generally used to anchor someone down to a specific part of a page. So Google sees a domain.com/pageA.html#word as the same as domain.com/pageA.html.

It is about using them in the URL, which we covered before.

Forum discussion at Twitter.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Google Search Volatility

More Details

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: September 29, 2026

Sep 29, 2026 - 10:00 am
Misc Google

Google's Nick Fox Feels Sad & Terrible For European Searchers After DMA

Sep 29, 2026 - 7:51 am
Google Maps

Google Local Panel With Two Rows Of Buttons On Mobile

Sep 29, 2026 - 7:41 am
Google

Google AI Overviews Testing Citations Cards At Bottom (Not Right Side) Again

Sep 29, 2026 - 7:31 am
Google Maps

Google Maps Bug Places Map Pins In Middle Of Ocean

Sep 29, 2026 - 7:21 am
Google Maps

Google Business Profiles Policies Adds Misuse Of Support Channels

Sep 29, 2026 - 7:11 am
Previous Story: Google On lastmod Tag In XML Sitemap: Update The Date If You're Providing Something New