How to write hashtags: the technical basics
A hashtag is a # sign followed by a word or phrase that the platform turns into a link to a collection of posts. The link lasts only while the text runs unbroken. The moment a character appears that the platform doesn't treat as part of a word, the tag stops and everything after it is ordinary text.
Take a flower shop in Tashkent. Writing “#flower delivery Tashkent” links only the word “flower,” a huge generic feed where your post disappears. Better: #flowerdelivery or #flower_delivery.
Platforms change their behavior over time, so after publishing, always tap the tag and see where it leads.
- Letters and numbers work without limits
- An underscore is usually allowed and separates words
- A space ends the tag
- Hyphens, periods, commas, quotes and exclamation marks also end it
- A tag made only of digits generally doesn't work
- Avoid emoji inside working tags
Uzbek letters o‘ and g‘: the apostrophe problem
In Uzbek Latin script, the letters o‘ and g‘ carry a special mark. In many cases that mark cuts the hashtag short: only the part before it stays clickable, so #o‘zbekiston collapses into a meaningless “#o.” That is why people often drop the mark in tags: #ozbekiston, #gisht.
Which version suits your niche is settled by search, not theory. Type both spellings into the platform's search bar and compare which one has more recent posts on your topic. A building-materials shop in Samarkand may find that customers mostly use the version without the mark, and then the choice is easy.
Capitalization, Cyrillic and Latin
Platforms don't distinguish letter case: #CoffeeTashkent and #coffeetashkent lead to the same feed. Still, a capital letter at each word boundary makes a long tag readable, and screen readers can pronounce it word by word. #SalonLola is friendlier than #salonlola.
Cyrillic and Latin tags are separate feeds: #ташкент and #tashkent are not connected. In Uzbekistan people search in Uzbek, Russian and sometimes English, so keeping two or three variants often makes sense, but only if each has live posts under it. Don't mix alphabets inside one tag; almost nobody types such a thing.
Length and number of hashtags
A tag can technically be long, but people type short ones. A good tag is two or three words and mirrors a real search. Nobody looks for #thebestbeautysalonincentraltashkent, while #salonyunusabad is something a customer might actually type.
The same logic applies to quantity. The maximum a platform allows is not a target. A long tail of near-identical tags looks like spam and adds nothing. A simple test: remove a tag from the list. If the post loses nothing, the tag was redundant.
Don't paste the same set under every post. Build the list for each specific post so that every tag reflects its content.
Where to place hashtags and how to check them
Before using a tag, enter it in the platform's search. See whether there are recent posts on your topic, whether the feed is full of spam or unwanted content, and whether the platform has restricted the tag. Tags are sometimes limited after misuse, and posts that carry them may be shown less.
After publishing, tap every tag: it should open and show relevant content. It takes a minute and catches most mistakes, such as typos, broken tags and empty feeds.
- Instagram: at the end of the caption; the first comment is possible, but the caption is more reliable
- TikTok: in the video description
- Telegram: in the post text, where tags work as navigation across your channel
- Stories: a hashtag sticker or text
- Inside a sentence only when the word naturally becomes the tag
Branded hashtags and where tags fit in your strategy
Your own tag should be unique, short and free of special characters. Before launching it, check that nobody else's posts sit under it. Put it in your profile bio and ask customers to use it when they tag you; a restaurant, for example, can collect guest photos under its own tag.
Correct spelling is hygiene: it doesn't create reach, but it guarantees that the tag leads where you intended. Reach comes from content, an understanding of your audience and a consistent strategy. If you run Instagram and Telegram and aren't sure which content themes and search queries to build around, the markdev team can go through the task with you as part of marketing strategy work. Write to us and we'll discuss your situation.
FAQ
Can I use a hyphen in a hashtag?
No. A hyphen ends the tag, and only the part before it becomes a link. Separate words with an underscore or capital letters instead.
How many hashtags should I use per post?
There is no single number, and the platform's maximum is not a goal. Choose a few precise tags that reflect the post and follow the platform's own recommendations.
Which language should hashtags be in for Uzbekistan?
The one your audience searches in. Cyrillic and Latin tags lead to separate feeds, so check the search and keep the variants that have recent posts.
How do I handle o‘ and g‘ in hashtags?
The mark often cuts the tag, so many people write these letters without it. Search both versions and compare which has more posts on your topic.
Let’s look at your task for free
Leave your contact — in a 15-minute call we’ll show where leads get lost and what to fix first.