> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.chrismessina.me/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Happy #HashtagDay! - URL: https://www.chrismessina.me/blog/happy-hashtagday/ - Published: 2018-08-23T20:22:25.000Z - Updated: 2026-03-23T03:27:07.000Z - Description: The 11th hashtagiversary, a quick favor, upcoming speaking events, and early access to a new project... - Author: Chris Messina - Tags: Newsletter, #Migrated-1774236383925, #Import 2026-03-22 20:26 Wow, so it’s been forever since I last wrote and there’s been a lot going on. You may or may not know, but I parted ways with Molly in April and now I’m on to new adventures. Here’s the latest from me: --- **Happy #HashtagDay!** Today marks the 11th anniversary of the [first ever use of a hashtag](https://twitter.com/chrismessina/status/223115412?ref=chrismessina.me): ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/9e/8a/9e8a2c1f-873d-44c9-8c06-57c515181f44/content/images/2026/03/1c127c87-473e-4e08-b4e9-ae45e3108f87_562x238-1.png) Of course, the origin story of the hashtag isn’t complete without referencing my [blog post](https://j.mp/tagchannels?ref=chrismessina.me) where I spelled out how “tag channels” should work, complete with mockups for trending topics! According to Twitter, [there are now over 125M hashtags shared ](https://twitter.com/Twitter/status/1032676609902428160?ref=chrismessina.me)[*every day*](https://twitter.com/Twitter/status/1032676609902428160?ref=chrismessina.me) — and that’s just on Twitter. As I’ve explained elsewhere, hashtags were never intended *just* for Twitter, even though that’s where they started. Instead, they were intended to be used as a means to unify conversations *across social media*, and indeed it turns out that they’re broadly used on nearly every platform that allows you to write your own text! If you want a deep dive on the origins of the hashtag, [check out this story](https://www.wired.com/2017/11/gadget-lab-podcast-336/?ref=chrismessina.me) that my friend Michael Calore published last year for Wired’s Gadget Lab. And if learning about esoteric typographic symbols is more your thing, Roman Mars recently [re-aired an interview](https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/octothorpe/?ref=chrismessina.me) I did for 99% Invisible on the origins of the *octothorpe* (the hashtag’s technical name) in their [episode on the interrorbang](https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/interrobang/?ref=chrismessina.me). --- **Relationship Design: the next frontier?** I’ve lately been exploring an expansion of *conversational commerce*, [the phrase I coined](http://j.mp/convcomm-2016?ref=chrismessina.me) to describe the rise of brands and software services that are delivered through 1:1 voice and messaging channels, with something I call [**Relationship Design**](http://relationship.design/?ref=chrismessina.me). It’s still early days and frankly, it’s currently a pretty high level framing, but there’s something important in it. I’ve recorded two podcasts on the topic and I’d love for you to take a listen and let me know what you think: - **Machine Yearning:** [(Episode 01) Chris Messina: Full Interview](https://www.breaker.audio/machine-yearning/e/34882767?ref=chrismessina.me) - **Local Maximum:** [(Episode 26) Chris Messina on Conversational Commerce, Relationship Design, and the Future of Brands](https://www.breaker.audio/the-local-maximum-expand-your-perspective/e/36544155?ref=chrismessina.me) **Can I ask for your vote?** If this topic interests you, I’d love to get your vote for [my SXSW 2019](https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/89732?ref=chrismessina.me) panel featuring [Andy Mauro](https://medium.com/@dandymauro?ref=chrismessina.me), [Shane Mac](https://medium.com/@shanemac?ref=chrismessina.me), and [Kathryn Hume](https://medium.com/@KHume?ref=chrismessina.me). **Voting ends August 30, so please do this ASAP!** [](https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/89732?ref=chrismessina.me)**Come see me speak IRL** In addition to podcasts, I’ve also got two speaking gigs lined up this fall where I’ll continue to explore the idea of Relationship Design and conversational brands. The first is the [Conversational Commerce Conference](http://opusresearch.cvent.com/events/conversational-commerce-conference-sf-2018/event-summary-afda05bd4bac46ee9dd83f5bbc9ad74a.aspx?ref=chrismessina.me) put on by Opus Research in San Francisco from September 12-13. The second is Forrester’s [CX SF 2018](https://events.forrester.com/ehome/cxsf18/652457/?ref=chrismessina.me) event in San Francisco from October 2-3\. I just recorded a podcast with the **What It Means** team this morning so [subscribe](https://go.forrester.com/what-it-means/?ref=chrismessina.me) so you don’t miss it! **Now for something totally new…!** Ok, here’s something you definitely don’t want to miss, because I’ve been keeping this under wraps… I’ve been working on something new with the [Facemoji](https://facemoji.co/?ref=chrismessina.me) team called **Fmoji (**pronounced *fuh-mo-gee* **)**. It’s not public yet but [I’m looking for early testers](https://www.producthunt.com/upcoming/fmoji?ref=chrismessina.me) to help us define the direction of this new concept. I won’t say much more, except to leave you with a teaser: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/9e/8a/9e8a2c1f-873d-44c9-8c06-57c515181f44/content/images/2026/03/f89f5c85-7e6a-49f1-8af2-89d635fdec0c_508x508.gif) [**Subscribe to get updates here.**](https://www.producthunt.com/upcoming/fmoji?ref=chrismessina.me) **Invites are limited.** Til next time! <3 [Chris](https://twitter.com/chrismessina?ref=chrismessina.me)