Instagram to Remove Hashtag Following Feature
Instagram is removing the option to follow hashtags to counter the misuse done by hashtag spammers.
As seen in the below notification: (Threads: Matt Navarra)
So, Instagram is removing the option, but any topics that you already follow wont show posts and reels on your feed.
What are Hashtag Spammers?
Wondering why Instagram has taken this decision? Well, this decision sounds like a part of a broader strategy to improve content discovery and user experience but in a smaller sense they are trying to get rid of hashtag spammers.
Over the years, spammers have exploited trending hashtags, attaching irrelevant or low-quality content to popular tags to gain exposure.
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has previously addressed concerns about hashtags and their effectiveness. In a recent Q&A, he stated that while hashtags help categorize content, they do not significantly increase post visibility.
How is this going to affect Creators and Users?
Instagram has been shifting its focus towards more sophisticated algorithms that prioritize personalized content recommendations based on user behavior rather than manual methods like following hashtags.
For Creators: Creators will now have to rethink their strategies for engaging audiences. Without the option to follow hashtags, they may need to focus more on building direct follower relationships and increasing post visibility through other means, such as engaging content and collaborations. Creators will have to optimize their profiles and leverage Instagram's algorithm by creating engaging content rather than relying solely on hashtags.
For Users: The response from users has been mixed, with many expressing disappointment over the change. Some feel that it diminishes creativity and makes it harder to connect with niche communities on the platform. The ability to follow hashtags allowed users to curate their feeds with content aligned with their interests.
Final Views:
These days platform systems and algorithms are so advanced that it understands what’s in a video or image, and what users are engaging with, which then enables them to continue to show people more of what they like based on that understanding. That being said, the relevance of hashtag is decreasing in contributing to reach and engagement, however hashtags were once considered a fundamental of Social Media.
