The 3 by 3 Hashtag Rule is huge because it has changed how I approach social media marketing strategizing in a very clear and structured way. With a crowded digital marketplace, it is very hard to stand out, and that is where hashtags have an important role in improving visibility. The 3 by 3 Hashtag Rule (9 hashtags categorized as What, Who, and Why) allows me to laser target my audience. 

My guide shows you how to implement the 3 by 3 Hashtag Rule with an SEO optimized format that is easy for everyone to use. 

Based on extensive research in peer reviewed articles, forums, and communities, I have compiled a guide on how to maximize engagement and growth. As a marketer, owner or producer, the 3 by 3 Hashtag Rule can help you to develop your online social media presence.

Why the 3 by 3 Hashtag Rule Matters

According to the 3 by 3 Hashtag Rule, one will improve post discoveries for all audiences by strategically targeting multiple audience segments at once. Hashtagging your post using a 3 by 3 method means using three different categories with 3 hashtags across those categories (your product, your audience, your purpose). 

Furthermore, within your post activities, your content should reach a wider but relevant audience versus hashtagging randomly or in a confusing manner. You can maximize your post discoveries using this method without appearing spammy. 

Understanding Hashtags

Hashtags categorize content, making it discoverable to users interested in specific topics.

Also try this blogpost: https://touchingtags.com/hashtag-meaning/

#HashtagBasics

#SocialMediaTools

#ContentDiscovery

#HashtagGuide

#SocialMedia101

#ContentTagging

#OnlineVisibility

#HashtagTips

#ContentOrganization

#SocialMediaStrategy

#Hashtag101

#ContentEngagement

#SocialMediaSkills

#HashtagRules

#ContentGrowth

#SocialMediaBasics

#HashtagTactics

#ContentStrategy

#SocialMediaHacks

#HashtagBestPractices

#ContentVisibility

#SocialMediaGuide

#HashtagEngagement

#ContentMarketing

#SocialMediaTrends

Target Audience

Marketers, businesses, creators, and new users seek to boost their online presence.

#SocialMediaMarketers

#SmallBusiness

#ContentCreators

#Influencers

#NewUsers

#BusinessGrowth

#InfluencerMarketing

#Entrepreneurs

#SocialMediaUsers

#BrandPromotion

#ContentPro

#BusinessOwners

#MarketingPros

#CreativeContent

#StartupMarketing

#SocialMediaFans

#BrandBuilding

#ContentMakers

#BusinessStrategy

#InfluencerStrategy

#MarketingGurus

#CreativeMinds

#BusinessTips

#SocialMediaNewbies

#BrandStrategy

Pain Points and Goals

Users struggle with visibility, hashtag selection, and consistent engagement.

#HashtagChallenges

#SocialMediaStruggles

#EngagementIssues

#HashtagConfusion

#MarketingHurdles

#ContentProblems

#AudienceReach

#HashtagMistakes

#SocialMediaGoals

#BrandChallenges

#EngagementTips

#MarketingGoals

#ContentIssues

#HashtagSolutions

#SocialMediaHelp

#BrandEngagement

#EngagementGoals

#MarketingSolutions

#ContentGoals

#HashtagHurdles

#SocialMediaFixes

#BrandStruggles

#EngagementHacks

#HashtagProblems

#ContentChallenges

What Is the 3 by 3 Hashtag Rule?

The rule uses nine hashtags: three for product, audience, and problem solved.

#3by3HashtagRule

#HashtagStrategy

#SocialMediaTactics

#ContentStrategy

#HashtagFramework

#MarketingTactics

#ContentTagging

#SocialMediaPlan

#HashtagSystem

#MarketingFramework

#ContentPlan

#HashtagGuide

#SocialMediaStructure

#MarketingStrategy

#ContentFramework

#HashtagTactics

#SocialMediaSystem

#MarketingPlan

#ContentStructure

#HashtagPlan

#SocialMediaFramework

#MarketingSystem

#ContentTactics

#HashtagStructure

#SocialMediaStrategy

How to Implement the Rule

Select three hashtags each for what, who, and why categories.

#HashtagImplementation

#SocialMediaSteps

#ContentSteps

#HashtagGuide

#MarketingSteps

#ContentImplementation

#SocialMediaTactics

#HashtagSteps

#MarketingImplementation

#ContentGuide

#SocialMediaPlan

#HashtagTactics

#MarketingGuide

#ContentPlan

#SocialMediaSteps

#HashtagPlan

#MarketingTactics

#ContentSteps

#SocialMediaGuide

#HashtagImplementation

#MarketingPlan

#ContentTactics

#SocialMediaImplementation

#HashtagSteps

#ContentStrategy

Platform-Specific Strategies

Adapt the rule for Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn platforms.

#PlatformStrategy

#InstagramHashtags

#TikTokHashtags

#XHashtags

#LinkedInHashtags

#SocialMediaPlatforms

#PlatformTactics

#InstagramStrategy

#TikTokStrategy

#XStrategy

#LinkedInStrategy

#SocialMediaTactics

#PlatformGuide

#InstagramTactics

#TikTokTactics

#XGuide

#LinkedInTactics

#SocialMediaStrategy

#PlatformPlan

#InstagramGuide

#TikTokGuide

#XPlan

#LinkedInPlan

#SocialMediaPlan

#PlatformHashtags

Hashtag Research Tools

Use tools like Hashtagify to find relevant, trending hashtags.

#HashtagResearch

#SocialMediaTools

#HashtagFinder

#TrendResearch

#MarketingTools

#HashtagDiscovery

#SocialMediaResearch

#TrendFinder

#HashtagTools

#MarketingResearch

#SocialMediaTrends

#TrendTools

#HashtagSearch

#MarketingTrends

#SocialMediaSearch

#TrendDiscovery

#HashtagAnalysis

#MarketingSearch

#SocialMediaFinder

#TrendSearch

#HashtagTrends

#MarketingAnalysis

#SocialMediaAnalysis

#TrendAnalysis

#HashtagGuide

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Steer clear of irrelevant hashtags and overloading posts.

#HashtagMistakes

#SocialMediaDonts

#HashtagFails

#MarketingMistakes

#ContentErrors

#HashtagDosDonts

#SocialMediaErrors

#MarketingFails

#ContentMistakes

#HashtagProblems

#SocialMediaIssues

#MarketingErrors

#ContentFails

#HashtagErrors

#SocialMediaMistakes

#MarketingIssues

#ContentProblems

#HashtagIssues

#SocialMediaFails

#MarketingDosDonts

#ContentIssues

#HashtagDonts

#SocialMediaProblems

#MarketingProblems

#ContentDosDonts

Building Community

Use branded hashtags to foster user-generated content and loyalty.

#CommunityBuilding

#BrandedHashtags

#SocialMediaCommunity

#BrandEngagement

#CommunityEngagement

#HashtagCommunity

#SocialMediaLoyalty

#BrandCommunity

#CommunityStrategy

#HashtagEngagement

#SocialMediaConnection

#BrandLoyalty

#CommunityGrowth

#HashtagCampaigns

#SocialMediaEngagement

#BrandConnection

#CommunityTactics

#HashtagLoyalty

#SocialMediaGrowth

#BrandGrowth

#CommunityConnection

#HashtagConnection

#SocialMediaTactics

#BrandStrategy

#CommunityHashtags

Measuring Success

Track engagement with platform analytics or third-party tools.

#HashtagAnalytics

#SocialMediaMetrics

#EngagementTracking

#HashtagPerformance

#MarketingAnalytics

#ContentMetrics

#SocialMediaInsights

#EngagementMetrics

#HashtagTracking

#MarketingMetrics

#ContentAnalytics

#SocialMediaAnalytics

#EngagementAnalysis

#HashtagMetrics

#MarketingInsights

#ContentTracking

#SocialMediaPerformance

#EngagementInsights

#HashtagAnalysis

#MarketingTracking

#ContentPerformance

#SocialMediaTracking

#EngagementPerformance

#HashtagInsights

#MarketingPerformance

Niche-Specific Examples

Tailor hashtags for industries like fashion, fitness, or tech.

#NicheHashtags

#FashionHashtags

#FitnessHashtags

#TechHashtags

#NicheMarketing

#FashionStrategy

#FitnessStrategy

#TechStrategy

#NicheContent

#FashionTactics

#FitnessTactics

#TechTactics

#NicheEngagement

#FashionMarketing

#FitnessMarketing

#TechMarketing

#NicheStrategy

#FashionContent

#FitnessContent

#TechContent

#NicheTactics

#FashionEngagement

#FitnessEngagement

#TechEngagement

#NicheGrowth

Staying Updated

Monitor trends to keep your hashtags relevant and effective.

#SocialMediaTrends

#HashtagTrends

#MarketingTrends

#ContentTrends

#TrendMonitoring

#SocialMediaUpdates

#HashtagUpdates

#MarketingUpdates

#ContentUpdates

#TrendTracking

#SocialMediaInsights

#HashtagInsights

#MarketingInsights

#ContentInsights

#TrendAnalysis

#SocialMediaMonitoring

#HashtagMonitoring

#MarketingMonitoring

#ContentMonitoring

#TrendUpdates

#SocialMediaAnalysis

#HashtagAnalysis

#MarketingAnalysis

#ContentAnalysis

#TrendInsights

Success Stories

Brands and influencers see boosted reach with structured hashtag use.

#HashtagSuccess

#SocialMediaWins

#MarketingSuccess

#ContentSuccess

#SuccessStories

#HashtagCampaigns

#SocialMediaSuccess

#MarketingWins

#ContentWins

#SuccessExamples

#HashtagResults

#SocialMediaResults

#MarketingResults

#ContentResults

#SuccessCaseStudies

#HashtagWins

#SocialMediaCaseStudies

#MarketingCaseStudies

#ContentCaseStudies

#SuccessResults

#HashtagStories

#SocialMediaStories

#MarketingStories

#ContentStories

#SuccessTactics

Pro Tips

1. Organize hashtags in a spreadsheet by category for quick access when posting.
2. Engage in niche-specific social media chats to discover new hashtags and build connections.

FAQs

How many hashtags does the 3 by 3 Hashtag Rule use?

It uses nine hashtags: three for your product, three for your audience, and three for the problem solved.

Can I use the 3 by 3 Hashtag Rule on X?

Yes, but limit to 3-6 hashtags due to character constraints, prioritizing relevance.

How do I find hashtags for the 3 by 3 Hashtag Rule?

Use tools like Hashtagify or platform explore pages to find trending and niche hashtags.

Conclusion

The 3 by 3 Hashtag Rule is completely a game changer because it gives clarity and structure to building a social media presence. With this rule, I can use nine hashtags within three categories what, who, and why and target different audiences exactly and effectively which increases my visibility and engagement by the notion of targeting specific audiences. This makes it easy for me choose hashtags and the right hashtags to use versus the risks of picking the wrong hashtags in each category and it helps to define a community with branded hashtags. If I am a marketer, business owner, or creator, the 3 by 3 Hashtag Rule is for anyone to get noticed and/or stand-out. Use it today to change your social media activity to reach the right audience!