The # typographic character is one of the most influential symbols in contemporary communication today, and perhaps for the next decade. The logo was selected for social media use as it creates metadata when placed in front of words and numbers. The developed metadata creates awareness to the search engines of the content of the tag. In the process, people searching for the # tag find the necessary information. In websites, the symbol assists in creating a definition of the amount availed. In this way, the symbol establishes a connection between the user and the owner of the data (Houston, 2015). In essence, when the symbol is placed in front words and creates metadata, it leads to a form of a summary that makes the search the relevant data easy.
Chris Messina suggested the usage of the symbol # in 2007. Social media such as twitter opposed its use but were later overwhelmed by its popularity. However, it took the concerted effort of several social media sites to increase its usage. Interestingly, Messina never laid copyright claims on the hash tag and created an impression that it was bound to come to existence at some point. Messina, therefore, gave the use of the symbol as a hash tag as a gift to the internet community (Krause, 2013). He is consequently regarded as a godfather in the world of social media sites. The popularity of the hash tag became extremely popular that it was acknowledged that is 2014 it was put as a word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Save your time!
We can take care of your essay
- Proper editing and formatting
- Free revision, title page, and bibliography
- Flexible prices and money-back guarantee
The hash tag is quite recent and has been in existence since 2007. However, its popularity has dramatically risen in the last seven years (Cohen, 2014). The fact that it is applicable in all social media sites makes it attractive to corporations, individuals, politicians, and even celebrities. Notably, in sites such as Instagram put a limit as the number of hash tags one can place in a single post. The site set a limit on fifty hash tags; unfortunately, the users have found a way around it by making several posts of the same thing. In the process, the hash tags have become popular marketing strategies that have brought traffic to websites and organizations information. The celebrities and politicians introduce their lives to the world through hash tags and provide details about their lives.
The symbol is used the same in other languages. Since its usage on social media sites has similar effects, the emblem has uniform utilization. The universality of the # tag symbol has played a significant role in bringing the world together. People from different parts of the world are brought closer by the tags (Weinmann & Lourekas, 2014). Additionally, it has become of the source of information irrespective of the language used. The metadata contains a large amount of data that informs the user on the contents of the websites or the poster. The primary aim of the hash tag is to collect a certain amount of data and present in a single statement making it easy for the users to find the information.
The qwerty keyboard is universal and to find the symbol # the user presses shift key on their keyboard and the number three to produce the sign (Krysinski, 2017). Therefore, irrespective of the language the users have to use the short cut to type the symbol. Typographically, the sign is close in resemblance with the dollar sign; however, its effect when placed in front of numbers or words creates the difference. There are instances where the user might follow the long route to find the symbol which is finding symbols available on the computer. Fortunately, the popularity of the tag has made it possible for developers to create a way in which the users can have easy access. In the end, the universality of the qwerty keyboard makes it easy for all users irrespective of the region to have access to the symbol.
The symbol looks like two short slanting lines crossed by two more slanting lines. Numerous things are associated with the # tag. The most common resemblance is that of the dollar sign. More so, the proximity between the # tag and the $ on the keyboard might have created the confusion. Additionally, to get the dollar sign, the user has to use the shift key and press number four; the short cut might also create the resemblance. In other languages, the symbol is compared to the railway due to its parallel lines. Introducing the logo in other languages creates universal signage as people acknowledge the tags have more information. In the process, there is the creation of awareness on issues affecting society. The existence of the symbol has played a significant role in improving the educational aspect of the internet as well as its ability of bringing the world together.
References
- Cohen, S. (2014). InDesign CC: Visual QuickStart (2014 release). Peachpit Press.
- Houston, K. (2015). Shady Characters: The Secret Life of Punctuation and Symbols. W. W. Norton & Company.
- Krause, J. (2013). Visual Design: Ninety-five things you need know. New Riders.
- Krysinski, J. M. (2017). The Art of Type and Typography: Explorations in Use and Practice. Taylor & Francis.
- Weinmann, E. & Lourekas, P. (2014). Illustrator CC: Visual QuickStart Guide (2014 release) Peachpit Press.
Stuck on your essay?
