Michigan Tech Social Media Blog

Social Media Accessibility Guidelines

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Guidelines and Best Practices on Social Media Accessibility for Michigan Tech Social Media Administrators (SMAs)

An image that states, “Social Media Accessibility Best Practices and Guidelines”. The background image is a table with icons related to social media laying about. One person is holding a cellphone.

Why Social Media Accessibility Matters

Michigan Tech is committed to making its digital communications accessible to everyone. These guidelines aim to help MTU SMAs ensure their content is accessible, enhancing inclusivity and compliance with accessibility standards.

  • Legal Compliance
    •  Following the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) ensures we meet legal requirements.
  • Inclusivity
    • It broadens the reach of our content and ensures all audiences can engage fully.
  • Institutional Commitment
    • Promoting diversity and inclusion is a core value at Michigan Tech.

Alt Text for Images

What is Alt Text?

Alternative text (alt text) provides a written description of an image for people using screen readers. It should be concise yet descriptive enough to convey the key information.

Best Practices for Alt Text

  • Be concise but informative (100 characters or fewer).
  • Describe the image’s content and context.
  • Avoid using “image of” or “picture of.”

Instead of “Image of students on campus,” use “Students walking in front of Michigan Tech’s Husky Statue.”

Images with Text or Graphic Elements

If the image contains text or important graphic elements, this content should be included in the alt text.

  • Text in Images
    • If the image includes essential text (e.g., quotes, event details), provide the full text in the alt description.
    • Example: For a promotional image with text that says, “Join us for Winter Carnival, February 8-10,” use alt text like: “Join us for Winter Carnival, February 8-10, with ice sculptures and winter sports.”
  • Complex Graphics or Charts
    • Provide a concise summary of the key information or findings, especially for charts or diagrams.
    • Example: For a pie chart showing departmental funding distribution, alt text could be: “Pie chart showing 40% funding to research, 30% to education, 20% to outreach, and 10% to administration.”

In cases where the image is too complex to describe succinctly in alt text, include a brief alt text description and provide a link to a more detailed description.

Alternative text or ALT tags are imperative in ensuring that our photo content is accessible. Many social media platforms now allow their content creators to add alternative text to the images they post:

Closed Captions for Videos

Why Use Captions?

Captions make video content accessible to people with hearing impairments and those who prefer to consume content without sound.

Best Practices for Captions

  • Always provide accurate captions, not just automatic ones.
  • Include all spoken dialogue and relevant sounds (e.g., [laughter], [applause]).
  • Use punctuation and capitalization for readability.

Video Without Audio or With Minimal Audio

For videos without audio or with minimal audio (such as background music), a descriptive transcript is required to ensure accessibility. According to WCAG guidelines, this type of content is referred to as “video-only.” The transcript should describe any visual elements or text that appear in the video but are not conveyed through audio. This is particularly important if the video contains text that is not read aloud.

For more details, refer to the WCAG guidelines on video-only content.

Use of Hashtags

Why Hashtag Accessibility Matters

Screen readers read hashtags without spaces, making them difficult to understand if not formatted correctly.

Best Practices for Hashtags

  • Capitalize the first letter of each word (CamelCase) for readability.
    Example: #MichiganTechHuskies, not #michigantechhuskies.
  • Limit the number of hashtags to avoid clutter.

Descriptive Links and URLs

What Makes a Link Accessible?

Links should give users an idea of where they will be directed. Avoid generic phrases like “click here.”

Best Practices for Links
  • Use descriptive language for hyperlinks.
    Example: Instead of “Click here to read more,” use “More about Tech’s Research.”
  • Shorten long URLs, and include meaningful context.

Avoid Text on Images (if possible)

Why It’s Important

Text embedded in images is not readable by screen readers, and it can be challenging for those with visual impairments.

Best Practices
  • Use text overlays instead of embedding text in images.
  • If text must be part of an image, provide the same text in the post description or alt text, clarification is included in the section, “Alt Text for Images” Section.

Color Contrast and Readability

Why Contrast Matters

Color contrast impacts readability for individuals with visual impairments, including color blindness. For additional information on accessibility standards for print and digital assets please contact UMC by emailing umc@mtu.edu.

Best Practices for Contrast

  • Ensure high contrast between text and background colors (e.g., dark text on a light background).
  • Always be sure there is sufficient contrast between colors and type. For black and white type, use the following combinations below as a guide.
  • Avoid relying on color alone to convey meaning (e.g., don’t use red to indicate importance without additional indicators).
  • When in doubt regarding proper color contrast, reach out to UMC or utilize a free color contrast analyzing tool. 

Recommended Free Color Contrast Analyzing Tools

Primary Brand Color Palette

See Michigan Tech’s Full Style Guide for more information about our brand. 

The official colors of Michigan Tech are black and gold.
gold swatch

PMS 116
CMYK: 0/18/100/0
RGB: 255/206/0
HEX: #ffcd00
black swatch

Black
CMYK: 40/40/40/100
RGB: 0/0/0
HEX: #000000

Secondary Brand Color Palette

The secondary color palette provides additional options when working on publications. These colors ensure University publications share a cohesive and unified theme.
PMS 7549 C deep gold color swatch.

Orange, PMS 7549 C
CMYK: 0/36/100/0
RGB: 251/173/24
HEX: #fbad18
PMS 423 gray color swatch.

Grey, PMS 423
CMYK: 48/39/39/4
RGB: 138/140/140
HEX: #8a8c8c
PMS 310 C teal color swatch.

Oxidized Copper, PMS 310 C
CMYK: 66/0/26/0
RGB: 62/192/197
HEX: #3ec0c5
PMS 717 C copper color swatch.

Copper, PMS 717 C
CMYK: 0/70/90/10
RGB: 220/102/45
HEX: #dc662d

Accessible Color Combinations for Large Type Above 18pt Yellow: Black text is accessible when placed on a yellow background. Black: White, gold, orange, oxidized copper, and copper text are accessible when placed on a black background. Orange:  Black text is accessible when overlaid onto an orange background. Oxidized Copper: Black text is accessible when overlaid onto an oxidized copper background. Copper: Black and white text are accessible when overlaid onto a copper background. Grey: Black and white text are accessible when overlaid onto a grey background. Accessible Color Combinations for Small Type Below 18 pt Yellow: Black text is accessible when overlaid onto a yellow background. Black: White, gold, orange and oxidized copper text are accessible when overlaid onto a black background. Orange: Black text is accessible when overlaid onto an orange background.  Oxidized Copper: Black text is accessible when overlaid onto an oxidized copper background.  Copper: Black text is accessible when overlaid onto a copper background.  Grey: Black text is accessible when overlaid onto a grey background.
Accessible Color Combinations for Large Type Above 18pt
Yellow: Black text is accessible when placed on a yellow background.
Black: White, gold, orange, oxidized copper, and copper text are accessible when placed on a black background.
Orange:  Black text is accessible when overlaid onto an orange background.
Oxidized Copper: Black text is accessible when overlaid onto an oxidized copper background.
Copper: Black and white text are accessible when overlaid onto a copper background.
Grey: Black and white text are accessible when overlaid onto a grey background.

Accessible Color Combinations for Small Type Below 18 pt
Yellow: Black text is accessible when overlaid onto a yellow background.
Black: White, gold, orange and oxidized copper text are accessible when overlaid onto a black background.
Orange: Black text is accessible when overlaid onto an orange background. 
Oxidized Copper: Black text is accessible when overlaid onto an oxidized copper background. 
Copper: Black text is accessible when overlaid onto a copper background. 
Grey: Black text is accessible when overlaid onto a grey background.

Plain Language

What Is Plain Language?

Using simple, direct language makes your content easier for all users to understand, including those with cognitive disabilities.

Best Practices for Plain Language

  • Use short sentences and common words.
  • Avoid jargon, or define technical terms when necessary.

Use of Emojis

Why Be Cautious with Emojis?

Screen readers will read out the name of each emoji, which can disrupt the flow for those using assistive technology.

Best Practices for Emojis

  • Use emojis sparingly.
  • Place them at the end of sentences rather than mid-sentence.
  • Avoid using strings of emojis that could be read aloud unnecessarily.

Emojis and Evolving Meanings with Screen Readers

Emojis often carry emotional or cultural meanings that can evolve over time, depending on how society uses them. This variability makes it challenging for screen readers to accurately convey the intended tone, especially if the emoji’s meaning shifts.
For instance, the nail polish emoji (:nail_care:) might be used to express relaxation, sassiness, or nonchalance depending on the context. However, a screen reader will simply read this emoji as “nail care” without interpreting its implied meaning.

Because emojis can hold multiple interpretations, especially across different generations or platforms (like Instagram), their meaning may not always be clear to all audiences. What might signal confidence or nonchalance in one group could be misunderstood by others, leading to confusion for screen reader users. It’s important to be mindful of how emojis are used and consider their evolving meanings to ensure your content is inclusive and clear for all users.

Emojipedia Unicode Descriptions 

Emojipedia is the world’s No. 1 emoji reference site providing up-to-date and well-researched information. They are also a member of the Unicode Consortium. The UMC Social media team will often refer to Emojipedia’s emoji descriptions to learn more about emoji meaning and cultural context surrounding an emoji. 

When in doubt of what you think the meaning of an emoji may be, err on the side of caution. Do you need to be posting the emoji that is in question and is there another emoji that fits better in this situation?  

Test Your Content for Accessibility

Why Testing Is Important

Testing your content ensures it meets accessibility standards before publishing.

Tools for Testing Accessibility

  • WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool): Useful for testing contrast and alt text.
  • Screen Readers: Use built-in screen readers like VoiceOver (iOS) or TalkBack (Android) to review posts.
  • Social Media Platform Tools: Use built-in accessibility features (e.g., Facebook’s Accessibility feature).

Continuous Learning and Improvement

Stay Updated

Social media accessibility standards are continually evolving, and Michigan Tech is committed to staying compliant and inclusive.

Resources for Continued Learning

Making social media content accessible is a shared responsibility. By following these best practices, Michigan Tech’s SMAs can help ensure all individuals have an equitable experience, regardless of their abilities.

If you have questions regarding social media accessibility please reach out to social@mtu.edu.

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Artificial Intelligence AI: Social Media Trends in 2024

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The MTU Social team knows how difficult it is to keep up with the ever changing landscape of social media. We’re here to help! In this article series we’re going to touch on what is trending and declining in the social media space. We’re also going to answer, “Where are your various audiences in 2024?”, “What social platforms are on the way out?”, and “What kinds of content should I consider spending time to create?”. In this first article we are going to touch on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for social media content creation, customer support and editing in 2024.

The Future of Social Media: Hootsuite 2024 Trends Report

One of the MTU Social teams’ favorite places to go for updates in the social media space is Hootsuite. Being both a tool for social media managers and a source of reliable and data based social media tips, we can’t say enough good things about the company. Each year Hootsuite does a “Social Media Trends Report” based on data collected from their various surveys throughout the year. For the 2024 Trends Report, they made a fun video recapping their findings. We’re only going to cover the use of artificial intelligence being a trend in 2024 but their report is worth a read. Check out their video below.

Play Social Trends 2024: A Glimpse into the Future video
Preview image for Social Trends 2024: A Glimpse into the Future video

Social Trends 2024: A Glimpse into the Future

Hootsuite’s Youtube video “Social Trends 2024: A Glimpse into the Future”

The Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

From an editing, content generation and customer support standpoint, the use of AI has increased exponentially among social media marketers. Although most marketing professionals are excited to adapt with AI, the various audiences they’re marketing to are not without hesitation. According to Hootsuite’s 2024 Social Media Consumer survey, 62% of consumers are less likely to engage with and trust content if they know it was generated by AI. From the MTU social team vantage point, this distrust rings true across our platforms. For the first time ever on MTU social, we have received comments asking if social media captions were generated by AI. Although the captions our audience was commenting on weren’t generated by AI, this distrust has been an interesting concept to observe.

Hootsuite's 2024 Social Media Consumer survey graphic. AI: Social Media Trends in 2024
Hootsuite’s 2024 Social Media Consumer survey graphic. AI: Social Media Trends in 2024

Trust Issues with AI Generated Content

Something else to note on this ever changing content creation journey is that there are varying levels of trust in AI based on age demographic. For example, one of our primary audiences is Gen Z and they are more likely to engage and trust AI content as opposed to Baby Boomers. Since MTU social has a younger age demographic on student centered platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, that allows us more flexibility in experimenting with AI content on those channels.


MTU’s AI Generated Content

On MTU’s social accounts we have posted content using AI and there have been mixed reviews–but the feeling of audience distrust with AI can lurk in the comment section. We generated and disclosed that we used Chat GPT to create a poem about Bridge Fest, and then posted it on Instagram. We then received a comment that said,

“Wow, definitely better than a poem written by a human person with emotions and feelings about the natural beauty of a landmark, or better yet one of your students.”

MTU Instagram Commenter

Ouch, right? But, this comment really does communicate a lot of feelings in a few words. Although we now have AI as a tool in our marketing tool belts, there are mixed feelings on how and when it’s appropriate to use it. It’s important to know how your audiences feel about AI across social platforms when posting content.

Here are some more examples for how MTU Social has used generative AI on social media content with Instagram and TikTok.

A man created with generative AI tool DALL•E stands wearing an orange shirt, pumpkins for hands and is holding a pink broomstick. The social media caption for the image states, "What's spookier than an AI-generated image depicting a 'broomball Halloween costume'? Nothing. There's nothing more spooky than pumpkins for hands."
Instagram post on Michigan Tech’s account. A man created with generative AI tool DALL•E stands wearing an orange shirt, pumpkins for hands and is holding a pink broomstick. The social media caption for the image states, “What’s spookier than an AI-generated image depicting a ‘broomball Halloween costume’? Nothing. There’s nothing more spooky than pumpkins for hands.” AI: Social Media Trends in 2024 Series
@michigantech

#duet with @Sophia Lada #Duet

♬ original sound – Ian Asher
@michigantech

What do you think, Huskies? #artificialintelligence #michigantech #mtuhuskies #college ItsGreatOutdoors

♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show

Chat GPT, an Affordable Virtual Assistant

Now that we’ve covered a bit of using AI for content creation, we’re going to quickly touch on using AI for strategy and content ideas. We like to think of Chat GPT as a virtual assistant. It can be there to help but will not generate final copy or replace the nuance of writing for Michigan Tech’s brand. Some ways to use Chat GPT as an assistant would be brainstorming content ideas, helping simplify your thoughts, writing first drafts for captions, or suggesting content ideas. Leave the final editing and social media strategy up to humans.

Artificial intelligence is already broadly found across social media platforms in 2024–it’s up to brands to use the tool with intention and ethics. It’s safe to say using AI for social media content is here to stay.

Additional Resources on AI:

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MTU Social Media Channels Ranked No. 3 Overall for 2023 Higher Ed Engagement Report

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According to Rival IQ’s 2023 Higher Education Social Media Engagement Report, Michigan Tech’s social media was ranked No. 3 overall for the Top D2 Overall Higher Education Institutions on Social category. This is Tech’s first time making it on the Rival IQ report.

Rival IQ’s Michigan Tech section in the “Higher Education Social Media Engagement Report 2023“

The report assesses colleges and universities based on their overall engagement and engagement rates. The criteria for engagement on social media involves quantifiable interactions such as likes, comments, favorites, saves, retweets, shares, and reactions. To calculate engagement rate, divide the total engagement by the number of followers. High engagement rates, coupled with average or better-than-average audience size and posting volumes, are the key factors that distinguish the best-performing colleges and universities on social media.

Collaborations across teams within Michigan Tech’s University Marketing and Communications department has played a key role in our high engagement on social media platforms. Working together, teams shared their expertise and knowledge to create better campaigns, content, and strategies.

For example, the social media team worked closely with the content team to develop compelling stories that resonated with the audience. The studio team provided visually appealing graphics, photos, and video that grabbed attention. Similarly, the data gathered using analytics provided valuable insights into what type of content resonated with the audience and what didn’t. Tech’s social media team has been putting an increased effort on using engagement rate to decipher content direction. Utilizing insights gathered from engagement rate helps with understanding the relationship between our brand and our audience.

The report touted Michigan Tech’s social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. “The Huskies love science, and are proud to show it through their social media content, featuring everything from research to science-related student activities to faculty achievements,” it stated.

You can follow Tech on social media @michigantech.
Take a look at some of MTU’s most engaged posts from the past year.

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Faculty on Social Media: Best Practices for Growing a Following

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Graphic that states "Faculty on Social Media: Best Practices for Growing a Following" the image behind the text shows Michigan Tech's campus from above in the summer time. The Portage Canal and Mont Ripley are in the background.
Faculty on Social Media: Best Practices for Growing a Following

Let’s take a quick glimpse at best practices for Michigan Tech faculty to follow when trying to grow a following on social media. These insights are geared toward faculty members using their using personal social media accounts to share research and thought leader content.

Growing Your Following

There are many ways to grow your following on social media platforms but we are going to focus on three digestible tactics– being a genuine follower, engaging with your followers, and sharing content.

1. Be a genuine follower

An important part of growing a following is following other accounts. A good place to start with following other accounts is taking a look at the Michigan Tech Social Media Directory. We have compiled list of active social media accounts that are related to Michigan Tech. For example, if you are a faculty member in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, it makes sense for your personal account to give the CFRES social media accounts a follow.

After you’ve assessed which Michigan Tech accounts you want to follow, think about your field of interest. Look for other social media accounts that interest you and that you want to engage with. A popular account that many faculty members follow for the latest news, discoveries, and funding opportunities is the National Science Foundation. Think about the communities you are part of and follow them on social media. Some other ideas for social media accounts to follow could include any local community groups, advisory boards, councils, academic societies, government agencies you are part of. It’s possible that these groups listed have a social media presence– it could be a great fit for you to follow them.

2. Engaging with your followers

Part of creating a presence on social media includes engaging with other accounts. Don’t be afraid to start a conversation and establish connections with your audience. It’s not necessary to engage with everyone, but liking and commenting on others posts is a great way to show your personality and expertise. Engaging with your followers and other users helps to boost your content and expands your profiles reach. The algorithm on most social media platforms rewards engagement (i.e. commenting, liking, sharing content).

3. Sharing Content

When thinking about creating content it helps to take a step back and ask yourself a couple of questions.

1. Who, what, when, where, why?
2. What is one main key takeaway I want my followers to gain from this content?

Once you’ve answered those questions, then think about the type of post it is going to be. Also, take a look at our social media field guide. This is a great place to gather more platform specific information.

Types of Posts:

News:

Sharing news on campus/departmental events along with articles from reliable sources is one way to add value to your following. This is especially key if you are sharing content that is related to your area of expertise. Let’s say a researcher at another institution publishes a paper related to your field. Don’t hesitate to share it, tag the researcher, and add your thoughts or praise as an expert.

Data:

Data being communicated and partnered with a compelling narrative is where Michigan Tech faculty can truly shine. If applicable and allowable, share your own insights from data you’ve acquired in research. Share data that other faculty members in your college and at Michigan Tech have gathered. What does the data you are sharing mean? Think about the best way to simplify and communicate your data. Sharing accurate and reliable data from trusted sources adds to your presence as a thought leader and combats the problem of mis information online.

Lighthearted Content:

We’ve all seen the memes about Dogecoin or an adorable kitten. Social media is also a place to have some fun, entertain and even inspire your followers. If most of your content online is related to your area of expertise, that’s okay! If most of your social media content is photos of your dog, that’s okay, too! Think about what you want your accounts to be and how you want to use them. In our experience, adding personality and backstory to a post boosts engagement. It’s okay to share a tasteful and funny meme or a Buzzfeed quiz where you learned which Disney character you are. Just know that your followers want to get to know you. You can be positioned as a thought leader in your field on social media while also being a huge fan of cross country skiing and cat memes.

Opinion Piece:

While this opinion posts can gain a lot of engagement, it can also be risky to share strong and controversial opinions. Tread lightly around sensitive topics and share opinions with evidence to support your thoughts. One thing that MTU social suggests doing on a personal account is placing something like “Opinions are my own” in your profile bio. This way your opinions are separate from the institution you work for. Find an example below.

Twitter account bio for @EAHarter says, "Digital Media Specialist & Social Media autodidact. #HESM @notredame Opinions are my own." Faculty on Social Media Series: Best Practices
Twitter account bio for @EAHarter says, “Digital Media Specialist & Social Media autodidact. #HESM @notredame Opinions are my own.”

Notes for the Road:

Here are a few more pointers to think about related to your social media accounts.

  • Check for spelling, grammatical and factual errors. In this case, do think twice, it’s alright. (Bob Dylan reference anyone?)
  • Before pressing post, take a moment to think. Use your best judgement and think about how you want to be perceived as a professional online.
  • Post, engage and share content frequently but also sustainably. What is sustainable for you when posting online is the most important when trying to grow a following.
  • Identify influencers in your field and study how they engage with their audience and content.
  • Pay attention to your top performing posts and think about why they were successful. Try similar content to what has worked for you in the past while also paying attention to new social media tactics.
  • Reach out to MTU social if you have questions. We love being a helping hand with social media related questions. Email us at social@mtu.edu.
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Artificial Intelligence on Social Media in 2023: Takeaways and Observations by the MTU Social Media Team

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Image of three snow statues created by Artificial Intelligence DALL·E Mini

Takeaways and Observations from the Social Media Today article, “AI Creation Tools Will Change the Way We Create, Engage and Interact in 2023”

It’s official, we’ve made it to the point in human history where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a main topic of conversation in the marketing space. For better or for worse AI technology, such as DALL·E or Canva’s newest AI image generator to name a couple, are gaining in popularity. Social Media Today‘s article highlights four main topics centered around AI and social media marketing – content creation, image production, AI Tweets, and AI generated 3D models. Don’t be mistaken, we didn’t copy and paste part of the “Back to the Future” script hoping to fool you. Each topic reviewed by Social Media Today brought to the surface some thoughts from the MTU social media team – we’d love to share.

Content Creation & Image Production:

If you haven’t used any AI tools before reading this, I’d recommend checking out the free AI image generator tool DALL·E Mini. It really is incredible how specific you can get with generating an image (peep the header image for this article – it was created with AI image tech). On Michigan Tech’s social media accounts we have played around with using AI image generators for mostly humorous content.

(MTU TikTok AI Image Generator – MTU Instagram AI Image generated post)

@michigantech

What do you think, Huskies? #artificialintelligence #michigantech #mtuhuskies #college ItsGreatOutdoors

♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show

AI Copywriting

Continued growth of AI copywriting technology could be an advantage for content creators. More mundane content online could help brands stand out on the copywriting front if they have a dedicated crew of writers.

AI SEO Writing

AI copywriting could be a useful tool for SEO content. Using AI copywriting to help with cutting down on writing time is something that seems to be a bonus for SEO marketers.

“But if SEO is your goal, and you want to cut down on time, then this [Artificial Intelligence] could be an option.”

Andrew Hutchinson, Head of Content and Social Media at Social Media Today

Copyright Concerns

As of now, the copyright remains in the creator’s hands (i.e. the user, who prompted the creation of the AI images or writing). Copyright with AI images does however, seem to be a slippery slope pertaining to artists’ work. Individuals can prompt AI to create a piece of work that looks like it was made by a famous or well known artist. An example of an image prompt for AI would be, “create a painting of a dog eating an ice cream cone in the style of Banksy”.

As AI technology advances and learns more, it may be harder for content writers to stand out. It’ll be interesting to see how usage with AI technology evolves in the social media space. 

:robot_face:

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Introducing MTU Social Media Admins Group

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MTU Social Media Admins is an internal Google Group run by university marketing and communications (UMC) that is dedicated to collaboration, social media education and providing resources for social media managers around Michigan Tech’s campus. 

We are looking for the individuals on campus who run social media accounts pertaining to Michigan Tech including faculty, staff and students. The group will act as a sounding board or place to ask for feedback on social media posts. It will also act as a place for UMC to provide various resources including helpful articles on social media platform updates and best practices.

How to join MTU Social Admins

If you are interested in joining this Google Group please email social@mtu.edu asking to be added. Keep an eye out for an email invite!


How to find MTU Social Admins Once a Member

You won’t need to go far to find the MTU Social Admins Google Group. Look no further than your Gmail. In the sidebar where you find the Gmail Inbox tab, you will see a tab section below the Gmail Inbox Tab called “Spaces” open up that tab by pressing the plus sign to the right. Then look for “MTU Social Media Admins”. Boom, you are in!


Image of where to find MTU Social Media Admins Google Group Chat in Gmail


Run an MTU social media account and need some guidance? Email @social@mtu.edu to get in touch with Michigan Tech’s social media team.

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Usage Differences in Hashtags on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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We’ve all seen the notorious hashtag symbol appear in many different ways across social media, but how can it be used effectively? We hope to answer this question by shedding light on the most frequently used platforms for MTU social media accounts: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

What is a hashtag? 

A hashtag is a keyword or phrase begun by a hash symbol (#) (i.e., #MichiganTech #ThisIsTech #TomorrowNeeds). On social media, hashtags allow users to find posts relating to the specific hashtag. 

How are hashtags used?

Hashtags are also used to draw attention to a social media post. On both Instagram and Twitter, it is not uncommon for users to follow a specific hashtag. An example would be how the main Michigan Tech Instagram account follows #MichiganTech because we want to be able to see posts relating to the University. We also follow #UpperPeninsula and #MTUBound.

When in doubt trying to decide on a hashtag, check out our MTU Hashtag list.

All in all, hashtags are necessary because they help people find your social media content.

Twitter: 

Twitter has a limited character amount per tweet; therefore, when using hashtags on this platform, it is important to be succinct. 

Hashtag Recommendations for Twitter:

  • We recommend using one or two hashtags on a single tweet.
  • Only use hashtags when they are relevant to your tweet.
  • Look at the trending hashtags and if it makes sense to join in on the conversation, don’t hesitate to use the hashtag in a tweet!

Facebook:

Facebook has grown and shifted—and hashtag usage on the platform has, too. There are key factors and best practices to consider when using hashtags in Facebook posts. 

Users Cannot Follow a Hashtag on Facebook

Not being able to follow a hashtag on Facebook is one large reason why usage has gone down. On other platforms, such as Twitter and Instagram, a hashtag that a user follows will show up directly in their feed, giving them an incentive to follow hashtags. Facebook does not have this feature.

Limit Hashtag Usage

Research from the Pew Research Institute indicates that the fewer hashtags you use, the higher engagement you will receive on a post. Sticking to relevant hashtags can improve your content engagement. 

Hashtag Consistency + Primary Hashtags Usage Across Social Platforms

Remaining consistent in hashtag usage across various social media platforms helps emphasize your brand’s overall voice. Followers will become familiar with your hashtags and may be more likely to engage with your post. Choose two or three hashtags to be your primary hashtags and use those on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to create a clearer brand voice. 

An example of primary hashtags for MTU’s official accounts would be #MichiganTech, #TomorrowNeeds and #ThisIsTech. 

Hashtag Recommendations for Facebook:

  • Don’t use too many hashtags (one to five).
  • Practice quality over quantity.
  • Consider primary hashtag use on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Instagram:

Think of hashtags on Instagram as tools that provide information about your post and support its content. You want your topic’s audience to be able to find your content.

“The highest average engagement rate by impressions (3.41%) is generated by posts with 3-4 hashtags.” (Social Insider, 2022)

Hashtag Recommendations for Instagram:

  • Limit your number of hashtags to three or four.
  • Use hashtags that are relevant to the theme of your content.
  • Use hashtags your target audience already uses.
  • Mix well-known and primary hashtags to broaden your discoverability.

Run an MTU social media account and need some guidance? Email @social@mtu.edu to get in touch with Michigan Tech’s social media team. 

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Instagram Live 101

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Person smiling while holding their phone vertically with their hand up as if saying hello to someone.

Instagram Lives allow you to share the excitement of important events in real time. If you don’t delete it, it stays up for 24 hours.

The ideal duration of an Instagram Live depends on the event. You can broadcast for up to an hour, but typically viewership falls off after the first 10 minutes.

Why Use Instagram Live

  • Capture the excitement of “being there.”
  • Reach current and prospective students.
  • Interact with existing followers and grow your audience.

What Makes This Platform

  • Include plenty of faces.
  • Keep it short and fun.
  • Share instantly to Facebook Stories.
  • Monitor comments in real time.

What Breaks This Platform

  • It will go away unless you save it to your camera roll to repost.
  • Typically low engagement for new accounts with few followers.
  • Bad internet connection.
  • Background distractions.

Pro Tip

Search for helpful blogs and videos to learn new techniques that make posting easier and more effective, like this Instagram expert. Also, learn from the app itself — Instagram Live instructions from Instagram.

Examples

  • Human ice bowling
  • Broomball drop
  • Campus life
  • Career Services Q&A

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Live Tweeting 101

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Share presentations and conversations during workshops, keynotes, and presentations to pull in the audience who couldn’t be there and connect to individuals and groups elsewhere interested in the subject matter with Live Tweets. Science and Research Twitter are huge!

Plan for five to 10 tweets per event.

Why Live Tweet

  • Feature events and show spaces, people, or equipment.
  • Connect with scientific and government communities, who tend to prefer Twitter.
  • Build up your Twitter following.
  • Embed videos on department and project websites.

What Makes This Platform

  • Engage with a live audience interested in your topic.
  • Spread information beyond the single event.
  • Connect with niche audiences through hashtags and tagging.
  • Retweet interesting comments from your followers to keep the conversation going.

What Breaks This Platform

  • Can be boring. Use images, memes, and jokes when appropriate to keep attention level high.
  • Snark and rudeness are part of the Twitterverse. Monitoring required.
  • Multitasking a must (simultaneously type fast and pay attention).
  • Algorithm doesn’t favor accounts who don’t have thousands of followers.

Pro Tips

Pre-load intro and conclusion posts, and have applicable links, handles, and hashtags ready to copy, paste, and post on your device. Also, check out live Tweeting tips from the platform itself — Live Tweeting Tips from Twitter.

Examples

Questions?

Feel free to direct any questions you may have about Live Tweeting or social media in general to University Marketing and Communications social media staff at social@mtu.edu. We are happy to help!

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The (Linked)Ins and Outs of Posting Jobs on Social Media

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Students in this 2018 Career Fair photo are able to go straight to employers to talk about job listings. University positions, however, follow a format outlined by our HR department.

Michigan Tech’s main social media platforms are used for marketing, public relations, and communications for prospective and current students and alumni as well as partnering funding agencies, governments, and industries who support our research mission. 

Individual departments and other campus units have listed/advertised open positions on LinkedIn Jobs previously with permission through Human Resources. Job listings are an entirely separate function from what our social media team does and more like using Indeed or other digital job listing services.

Here’s an article about the job listing and recruiting functionality LinkedIn offers on its platform. Our Michigan Tech Alumni LinkedIn group frequently posts jobs and other opportunities, as do Alumni networks on Facebook — most of those options are private groups and you need permission to join. You can check with them to see how the groups are administrated and moderated.

We have seen many folks post the links from Human Resources job listings on their personal or departmental accounts to help get the word out to quality candidates about job openings. Sharing the HR link is a solid idea because it ensures the listing is in compliance with legal requirements and University hiring procedures.

Keep the social media questions coming to the University Marketing and Communications editorial team at social@mtu.edu. We’ll get to as many as we can as fast as we can.

For more tips, check out our social media field guide.

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