Fobres: Instagram No Longer Supports Following Hashtags

While Instagram users can still search for hashtags to find relevant content, the platform recently removed the ability to follow hashtags, so users no longer see posts that include hashtags they have followed directly in their feed. Instagram’s move has shifted content discovery and led to a potential decline in reach for branded accounts that relied on hashtag followers. As hashtags become a less effective way of reaching interested audiences, genuine engagement is now more valuable than hashtag optimization for brands seeking to grow a strong presence on Instagram—meaning it’s crucial for marketers to create engaging, shareable content that encourages organic interaction. Forbes Agency Council explored how marketers can best adapt to this big change in how Instagram hashtags work and ensure their brands remain relevant and visible and Jordan Edelson, CEO of Appetizer Mobile had this to say on the matter, “Understand that you’ll need to shift your focus to the quality and keywording of your content in order to reach certain audiences rather than relying on hashtags. This will help build a stronger connection with your audience as they begin to follow you more for your channel’s content instead of the relatable content you post connected to a hashtag