TBT (Throwback Thursday) is a widely popular social media trend where users share nostalgic photos or memories every Thursday, primarily on Instagram but also on platforms like Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook. As the fourth most popular hashtag on Instagram, it helps users gain visibility and engagement, though overuse or unrelated posts can lead to negative exposure. Originating in 2003, #TBT gained momentum in 2011 and became a mainstream trend by 2012, deeply influencing Instagram culture. Common #TBT posts include childhood photos, old songs, or past social media posts, evoking nostalgia. Its popularity even led to the creation of #FlashbackFriday (#FBF), a similar trend observed on Fridays.
How Does TBT Work?
There are no strict rules for #TBT.
It takes place every Thursday (hence the name “Throwback Thursday”). Anyone can join—all you need is an old photo.
This could be:
- A past event or trip
- A photo with an old friend
- A nostalgic memory of yourself
While Instagram is the most popular platform for #TBT, users also share throwback posts on Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook.
At its core, #TBT encourages people to share more about themselves and their past experiences.
Various Forms of TBT
Throwback Thursday is incredibly popular on Instagram. It’s the fourth most popular hashtag on Instagram.
Users usually tag their pictures with #tbt tag every Thursday for this reason.
It’s very popular, there are incredible amounts of people sharing with the tag, and it’s a fun idea overall.
This particular hashtag has many forms, like #TBT, #ThrowbackThursday, or just #Throwback.
Using these hashtags every Thursday can help your exposure, make you more visible, and help you gain followers. A lot of people are browsing this hashtag once a week; anything can happen.
However, many users abuse this hashtag; they fill the posts with spam or unrelated content to gain more likes and followers.
Don’t be one of these people. If you post unrelated photos or captions under the #tbt tag or any tag for that matter, you will only get bad exposure.
Bad exposure is a thing and plays a big part in your exposure or SEO, so watch out for that.
How It All Started?
The “throwback” tradition is older than Instagram and many other social media platforms.
This hashtag first emerged in 2003 but remained inactive until the late 2010s. It started gaining traction on Instagram in November 2011 and went mainstream by 2012.
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The #Throwback tag played a significant role in Instagram’s content culture, becoming one of the most popular trends on the platform
What to Post on #TBT?
Anything from the past, really. But if we’ll specify some examples:
- Childhood pictures: Either you as a child or just an event with you as a kid in it. This represents fond memories of the past.
- Old songs: Songs from your past that you enjoyed. People love to share songs from the past to give that sense of nostalgia. Just post a screenshot of the song you’re listening to, and you’re set.
- Screenshots of old Facebook status’ or tweets: This is a new one. You can use apps to find any friend’s earlier posts or your own’s.
If you want to increase the interaction of your post shared with the #TBT tag and ensure that it attracts attention from your users, check out Buy Instagram Comments
What Is Flashback Friday: #FBF
TBT has a long-lost sibling—Flashback Friday (#FBF).
It works just like Throwback Thursday, but instead of Thursday, it’s on Friday. Many users participate in both hashtags.
TBT became so popular that it naturally led to a spin-off trend—because the internet moves fast!
1 Comment
Tbt on Instagram is my favorite trend activity since I’m nostalgic about my past.