Let’s begin this post with a disclaimer: I, too, am as guilty as the next person in regards to what I’m about to write. But, as much as I add fuel to this fire, it’s beginning it’s already begun to spiral out of control. Thus, I am begging you to PLEASE STOP! I’ll hold myself accountable as well.

We’ve all done it. We’re all guilty. We’ve come up with a great tweet, we’ve experienced something that NEEDS to go noticed. So what do we do? We tweet it and throw a funny little hashtag behind it. As I mentioned above, I’m just as guilty as the next person (my guilty pleasure #signsineedanewcar). However, the more think about it, the more I get annoyed. Every damn tweet now has some stupid little hashtag behind it. Remember a few years ago when Dave Chappelle came out with a Lil’ Jon skit saying “yeeeeaaah” and “what” and “ok”? Then everyone in their mother started screaming it on the street. Yeah, remember how that was cool for a while, then shifted toward the annoying stage, and now if you repeat it, you’re a douche bag? That’s what is happening with hashtags.

Don’t get me wrong, I do believe there is a place and time for hashtags. I think they are incredibly useful for businesses and brands to monitor conversation. I also think they are great to follow conversations around sports (i.e. #Vikings) and certain conventions (i.e. #CES). Those, I can handle those. As I mentioned, they provide a great resource to follow intelligent (not all the time) conversations and ideas. They also allow consumers the ability to give their input – i.e. #NexusOne. I can even see some value in the ever-so-popular #fail tag. I think it’s our responsibility to ensure brands are being held accountable for their actions, and those who don’t, get called out. This is where is stops, however.

So stand up with me, hold your right hand up and make this pledge:  I _____, promise to not abuse hashtags. I understand that if I’m in line at Wal-Mart, I will not tweet about the “interesting” person in front of me and tag it with #youwontbelievethepersonstandinginfrontofmeandwhatsheiswearingyouneedtoseeittobelieveit.

#OMGwhatamIgoingtotweetaboutnow

Look, it’s not a difficult pledge. Twitter is about quality, not quantity. If you really feel the need to hashtag something, why don’t you pick up your phone and text it to the stranger you’ve never met in person but feel is your #bff. #OMG.

Again, I readily admit that I abused the hashtag as much as anyone, but I am taking a stand. Please hold me accountable, I will do the same. In the meantime, let’s leave the hashtag to the big boys (i.e. something useful, brands, business purposes)!