Facebook introduces #hashtags

Facebook has finally hopped on the bandwagon, joining the likes of Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest with the introduction of hashtags.

The feature works similarly across all four social media platforms by allowing users to put individual posts into a larger context. Starting today, Facebook users can type clickable hashtags that link to a feed showing posts on the same topic by other users or pages.

The new service allows users to look for a specific hashtag in the search bar, click on hashtags that originate from other social media sites and create new posts directly from the hashtag feed.

Facebook hashtags — the first in a series of changes aimed at creating a public discussion within the site — can be controlled in privacy settings if users don’t want their posts displayed. Trending hashtags will also be integrated into the service in the coming months. How #exciting.