Are these two things in some way redundant or each of them have a specific use?
Both of them have the same function in my opinion, that function is to classify and categorize content.
For example when you write a post here at Steemit you can use the tags row to enter one or many tags, in order to classify your content, but also you can write some hashtags in the content area in order to group or classify the same content.
The question is: Is it enough just using the tag box when submitting a new story?
or does it help to add hashtags in the content? if so what's the difference and the advantages?
Something I have noticed is that when you create a story, your first tag that you type in the tag box is the one that is taken to create your URL link for that post. But all the other tags are also used, for example if you enter 5 different tags, is like creating 5 different URL for the same post.
In this example we can see the tag: beginner whichwas used for this post: https://steemit.com/beginner/@pedro-rios/how-to-start-with-steemit-and-bitcoin
But the same post has also this other different URL: https://steemit.com/trading/@pedro-rios/how-to-start-with-steemit-and-bitcoin
But these days who cares about URL's, right?
However you can use shortlinks and make a long URL into a n short one, if you need to share an important URL over and over again, for that you can use bit.ly
And here is how a URL with a content using the hashtag cryptocurrencies looks like: https://steemit.com/trending/cryptocurrencies
or this one using the hashtag beginners in the same post: https://steemit.com/trending/beginners
Using hashtags you get shorter URL's.
Also using hashtags is a practical way to group topics and get more exposure.
Which one you use more and why?...