What is Throwback Thursday (#TBT)?

Throwback Thursday, often abbreviated as #TBT, is a popular social media trend where individuals post nostalgic content, notably photographs or memories from the past, on Thursdays.

This trend encourages users to reminisce and share moments from their lives that evoke a sense of nostalgia or capture significant milestones. It has become a way for people to connect over shared histories and personal achievements, building community through shared experiences.

Most often, you will see #TBT on Instagram, but you can find it as a very popular hashtag on many other social media platforms, from Twitter (X) to LinkedIn and Facebook. It has become a social media phenomenon where companies share nostalgic moments on social platforms to get audience engagement.

The history of TBT 

We don't know where the #TBT photo trend began. Some say it originated with series of photos of old basketball shoes, posted on a blog called Nice Kicks, starting in 2006.

However, the Kardashians started using it in 2012, and it quickly gained traction from there, spreading across different social media platforms. From then on, it became a weekly ritual for many social media users to scroll through their old photos, choose the best one, and share it with the world.

Over time, #TBT has evolved into more than just posting old photos. It has become one of the most popular hashtags: an opportunity to reflect on personal growth, celebrate achievements, and add a touch of nostalgia to social media accounts (both personal and company pages.)

Pro tip: want to nail TBT? Talk to one of our vetted social media managers today!

Other internet trends based on weekdays 

Throwback Thursday is not the only weekday-related internet trend. Some of the other, more notable ones, include:

• Motivation Monday: A day dedicated to sharing motivational quotes, stories, and personal successes to inspire others at the start of the week.
• Transformation Tuesday: Users post before-and-after photos showcasing transformations, whether they be in physical fitness, personal hobbies, or life-changing events.
• Wellness Wednesday: This trend focuses on health, wellness, and self-care tips, encouraging followers to stay healthy and mindful.
• Flashback Friday: Similar to #TBT, Flashback Friday is another opportunity for users to post nostalgic content, but as the name suggests, this happens on Fridays.
• Selfie Sunday: A day reserved for personal posts, mainly selfies, where users share their current mood or activity, offering a more personal insight into their lives.

Ideas for your next TBT 

There are a lot of ways to bring a throwback photo into your social media strategy, even as a business. Some of the best ideas to inspire you include:

• Highlight past events that your business participated in or hosted, showcasing community involvement, key industry gatherings, or special events you had with the team.
• Feature previous versions of your products or services (or your office space) to show how much has changed and improved over time.
• Repost customer testimonials or reviews from years past to show the long-standing quality and impact of your offerings.
• Share historical milestones of your company or industry, such as photos from the day you opened, launched a new product, or hit a significant milestone.

• Recall memorable campaigns that had a significant impact on your brand's growth or visibility.
• Share personal photos of you when you were first building the business. This works especially well with older, more established businesses, as they might have access to vintage photos with a lot of nostalgia to them.
• Celebrate former employees who made a significant contribution to the company, sharing where they are now.
• Share childhood photos of your team. It's a nice way to celebrate the people behind your business and to humanize your presence online. Nothing works best than a nostalgic photo so many people in your audience will likely relate to! Just avoid the awkward baby pictures.
• Dig into the archives for old logos, branding materials, or even the drafting table sketches of your very first product design.

TBT best practices to remember

If you want your TBT content to be successful, you need to understand the "rules" by which this trend plays out. Here are some of the best practices to keep in mind:

Share old photos or memories

When participating in Throwback Thursday by sharing old photos or childhood memories, you're engaging in a social exchange that values nostalgia and personal history. It's an opportunity to connect with your audience on a more personal level by showcasing moments from the past that are meaningful or significant.

Use the #TBT hashtag 

To effectively engage in the #TBT trend, including the hashtag in your post is crucial. This simple act ensures your content is discoverable by those specifically interested in this nostalgic practice, thus increasing its visibility and potential for interaction.

Add context 

Adding context to your Throwback Thursday posts enriches them by providing background information or stories behind the photos or memories shared. This enhances the engagement with your audience but also gives depth to the nostalgic experience, making it more relatable and meaningful.

Make it creative and personal 

Making your #TBT posts creative and personal can significantly increase their appeal and engagement. By infusing your unique style and personal anecdotes, you transform a simple throwback into a compelling story that resonates with your audience, fostering a deeper connection.

Don’t spam 

While Throwback Thursday is a chance to share and reminisce about the past, it's essential to maintain balance and not overwhelm your audience's feed. Spamming can detract from the nostalgic value of the posts and potentially lead to unfollows or disengagement. Make sure you build your content calendar in a way that includes some TBT posts, but not too many.

Use TBT to your advantage 

Using #TBT effectively can serve as a powerful tool to bridge generational gaps and connect with a wider audience by sharing universal experiences and favorite moments that transcend age. It invites engagement by sparking conversations and shared stories, reinforcing community bonds and human connections through the universal language of nostalgia.

Have fun with it

Ultimately, #TBT is more than just a weekly social media trend; it's a strategic tool that can deepen connections with your audience by sharing moments that matter and stories that resonate. It encourages businesses and content creators to reflect on their journeys, celebrate progress, and engage in a communal nostalgia that strengthens social bonds. In the end, that is precisely what makes #TBT such captivating content: it opens a time machine and connects