What is a pound key?

A pound key, also known as a hashtag or octothorpe, is a symbol that consists of two horizontal lines intersecting two vertical lines to create a square shape. It is typically used on telephone keypads to indicate the number key or as a symbol to categorize or tag content on social media platforms.

The pound key gained popularity with the rise of social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram, where it is used to categorize posts and make them more discoverable to a wider audience. Users can click on a hashtag to see other posts related to the same topic.

In addition to its use in social media, the pound key is also used in telephone systems for functions such as entering a passcode, selecting an option in an automated menu, or accessing voicemail.

Overall, the pound key is a versatile symbol that is widely recognized and used in various contexts in modern communication.