If you want to pull content from a specific hashtag and add it into a feed on your website, you're going to need a hashtag aggregator tool.
Depending on the features you need and your website traffic, this tool could be totally free to use, or it will cost a low monthly fee.
In this guide, we're walking you through how hashtag aggregator software works, what you can do with it, and the best free and affordable tools to try.
What is a hashtag aggregator?
A hashtag aggregator tool pulls content from a specific hashtag and adds it to an embeddable social media feed that you can add to your website. The most common places to put aggregated content are in website footers and blog side bars, but you can create a dedicated landing page or blog post for the content too.
Here's an example of a local government website using posts from the hashtag #DiscoverAlbany:
Top uses cases for a hashtag aggregator tool
Curious why businesses, organizations, and individuals use hashtag aggregator tools? From our experience here at Curator the top use cases are showcasing content from your clients, customers, or event attendees.
This type of tool is useful anytime you want to collect content from other peoples' social media accounts, not just your own.
- User generated content - UGC is when your customers and followers create content of your brand. You can aggregate this content by encouraging customers to use a specific hashtag when posting. Then, all you have to do is pull content from that hashtag (and moderate it). To learn more check out these user generated content examples, and how UGC can foster a sense of community among your followers.
- Corporate events - Companies might want to aggregate content from their conferences, company retreats, or other events. They can later use this content on event registration landing pages or hiring pages for recruitment purposes.
- Weddings - Brides love hashtag aggregator tools! Without them, it's impossible to capture all of the great photos your guests will take. During events, you can even display content from a set hashtag live on a smart TV. (Just make sure to have someone moderate the incoming images.)
- Cities, tourist spots, and other cultural sites - Visitors are snapping amazing photos of your location. By sharing a branded hashtag with your visitors, you can make it easier to collect and aggregate their awesome content.
Top benefits of using a hashtag aggregator
There are so many smart reasons to use a hashtag aggregator tool.
Here are the top benefits:
- Easily collect content from customers, attendees, visitors, etc.
- Save money on content creation (photography and videography)
- Collect testimonials for your product or event
- Make your website more visually engaging
- Utilize the content again and again
How to use a hashtag aggregator
Using a social media aggregator is really easy, even if you have no technical expertise.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Choose your aggregator tool - The first step is to select a tool that offers the features you need at a price you can afford. Check out the free and affordable options below.
- Create a feed and set the moderation style to manual approval - The next step is to login to the software and create a feed. Make sure you select manual approval for the moderation style. Because you're collecting content from other social media users, you can't use automatic approval. Instead, login and approve content as frequently as you want.
- Choose your network - You can embed hashtag-driven content from Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
- Choose your hashtag - Next, you need to choose your hashtag. If you have more than one, you can add these hashtags to their own feed or add all of them to one feed.
- Stylize the feed - The next step is to pick a template for your feed and customize the text colors, background colors, etc. Many people choose to go for a simple grid style so the content can speak for itself.
- Copy the embed code and add it to your site - Finally, you'll embed the HTML code in your website where you want it to go.
For more details on these steps, check out our tutorial on how to embed Instagram content. Keep in mind that most aggregator tools are super easy to use and are self-explanatory. So be sure to check out the best tools below.
7 hashtag aggregator tools
1. Curator
Curator is an easy to use social media aggregator that lets you pull content from accounts, mentions, hashtags, and geo locations based on the specific social network. Curator is super easy to use for individuals and brands. On the free plan, there's no visible branding, unlike the other options on this list.
Top features:
- Hashtag aggregation
- Works with all major social media platforms
- Embeddable feeds
- Layouts and design options
- Moderation rules
- Edit and pin posts
- Add custom posts
- Reporting
- Notifications
Pricing:
Curator is free to use for 3 or fewer sources/feeds. The most affordable plan is the Professional plan, which costs $25 per month and allows up to 5 sources/feeds and no "Powered by Curator" link at the bottom.
2. Pixlee
Pixlee isn't a dedicated aggregator, but rather a tool for UGC and influencer marketing that also allows you to display content from these campaigns.
Top features:
- UGC collection, curation, permissions
- Ratings and reviews management and displays
- Influencer marketing discovery and management
Pricing:
Pixlee is an enterprise software tool that doesn't publish their pricing online, so you'll need to request a demo and talk to their sales team for a custom quote.
3. Tint
With Tint, you can manage user generated content and influencer marketing campaigns and display the aggregated content on your website.
Top features:
- Content aggregation
- AI-powered UGC management
- Social media contest management
Pricing:
Tint doesn't publish their pricing online. You'll need to get in contact with their sales team for a custom quote for your company or organization.
4. Juicer
Juicer is an aggregator tool that you can use to moderate and display content from social media. Unfortunately, we can't recommend it because of the massive Juicer branding it adds to feeds when on the free plan.
Top features:
- Content aggregation
- Content moderation
Pricing:
On the free plan, you can only have one feed and their branding is very noticeable. On their Large plan, you'll pay $99 per month and get 3 feeds with no Juicer branding placed on your website.
5. Social Blend
With Social Blend, you can create social media walls that feature content from specific hashtags.
Top features:
- Content aggregation
- Moderation options
- Reporting
Pricing:
On the free plan, you'll get one feed, or you can pay $25 per month for 3 feeds and no noticable Social Blend branding placed on your website.
6. Smash Balloon
Smash Balloon is an Instagram feed widget for WordPress.
Top features:
- Content curation
- Moderation options
- Layouts and design options
Pricing:
You'll pay $98 to $298 depending on the features you need.
7. StoryStream
StoryStream is a hashtag aggregator for UGC and a digital asset management tool. It's a fit for big brands looking to manage multiple types of content in one place.
Top features:
- UGC content curation
- Social commerce
- Digital asset management
- AI automation for content workflows
Pricing:
Pricing isn't publicly available, so contact their sales team for a custom quote.
The best hashtag aggregator
Which hashtag aggregator should you choose? Make sure it has the features and main use case that you're looking for. Some hashtag aggregator tools are intended for displaying content on a website or a TV. While others are intended for influencer and content management.
If you're looking for a beautiful and easy way to show off content from a hashtag, check out Curator's plans.