Instagram is Removing the Ability to Follow Hashtags

Big news does NOT mean big changes. Hashtags are still critical to your strategy on Instagram.

Yes, Instagram has said we won't be able to follow hashtags anymore. Following a hashtag simply means SOME posts on that hashtag appear in your home feed. This going away is not a big deal. This is something we used to have when we didn’t have other search options and didn’t have a lot of recommended content. But then any posts from hashtags we were following stopped showing up a while ago, until very recently, and then, boom, Instagram says we won’t be able to use this feature any more.

Instead, Instagram is showing you suggested posts based on multiple criteria, including hashtags or topics you tend to search. So, taking away a limiting search feature in lieu of better results is EXPECTED.

Most users will never notice an impact from this change.

Following hashtags is a user experience, not a brand strategy.

Hashtags indicate to Instagram how and where to put your content for search, Explore, and suggested posts.

So. You. Need. Them!

They ensure your content appears where it needs to be, in front of the audiences you're targeting.

Keep using hashtags.

Keep focusing on strategy (not news that doesn't actually affect you).