Throwback Thursday is a social media trend where brands and content creators share a past photo of themselves or other nostalgic content on Thursday. Throwback Thursday content is usually accompanied by #TBT or #ThrowbackThursday.

TBT meaning

TBT stands for Throwback Thursday. TBT has become one of the most popular hashtags across social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

TBT history

It’s difficult to determine the exact origin of Throwback Thursday. According to Google search trend history, interest in Throwback Thursday took off in 2012. Depending on where you look, you’ll get a different explanation of how Throwback Thursday got started. What we do know for sure is that brands and individual content creators leverage TBT to increase engagement, grow their audience and boost brand awareness.

Throwback Thursday ideas 

Businesses have used TBT to leverage the emotional connection between a brand and its audience. Here are just a couple of ways brands have leveraged Throwback Thursday:

Xbox showed that #TBT can also be a charming way to show how far you’ve come. TBTs can be a way for both individuals and brands to demonstrate growth or change.

Best practices for creating TBT content

TBT content is an excellent way to highlight your brand’s personality and further enhance its image. To make sure that you’re getting the best results from TBT remember the following:

  • Make sure your content is old. There is no set rule for how old your Throwback Thursday content should be, but make sure your post meets your brand’s criteria for throwback content. If your brand is 100 years old, content from three months ago probably won’t cut it.
  • Don’t spam TBT content. You might be tempted to join in on Wayback Wednesday or Flashback Friday but keep your Throwback Thursday for well, Thursday. If you spam your nostalgic content, throwback posts will become less memorable and your audience will start to tune out.
  • Look back but think forward. Create TBT content that will not only resonate with your current audience but can also get your brand and legacy in front of new audiences.
  • Have fun. TBT content is a great opportunity to flex your creative muscle. Think of fun ways to connect with your audience and look back on your brand’s history.