news Instagram Will Remove Its 'Following Hashtags' Feature By Next Month

[Cpvr]

If you’re an avid user of Instagram then we’re sure you’re familiar with discovering new content with the help of the app's Following Hashtags feature.

So many of us can easily find what we’re looking for with hashtags as it saves time and effort and gives you just what you’re in search of. But wait, we may have spoken too soon as the app is getting rid of its Following Hashtags feature as early as December 17 this year.

The news was confirmed by several users on the platform. The post talks about how any user following a certain hashtag will no longer see it visible on the feed. You won’t also be able to follow any more hashtags either.

It’s not the best news for many Instagram fans who were quick to express their dismay on the matter, while others questioned the motive of doing so.

If you remember, Instagram also raised eyebrows last year in September when its chief Adam Mosseri went live to confirm that the app was testing removing the chance to see new posts published under hashtags for a year. The platform felt this would give users more access to content that was better suited to their liking. It also claimed that the move was done to remove spam and abuse that was growing on the platform.

For now, we’re not quite sure what the motive behind this new change could be but one thing is for sure. Seeing user feedback from now shows how upset they are about the change. Many feel it’s getting rid of creativity and a very useful endeavor. What do you think?

Source: https://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2024/11/instagram-will-remove-its-following.html

 

[Harsh World]

Following Hashtags was the best way you could find content for you. I don't know what they could replace this with.

The only thing that comes to mind could be saved searches.

 

[ActionAce]

This is not a good news for creators on Instagram. I’m a fan of the Following hashtags as it helps in boosting contents reach. I can say that more than 90% used it for their content to be discovered quickly by the right audience. Instagram need to weigh the consequences because users might seek alternative platforms sooner.

 

[NatureFreak]

Well that's a pain. They couldn't even give a convincing reason. So how are supposed to quickly search for a desired trend?

 

[MidnightMuse]

This is not a good news for creators on Instagram. I’m a fan of the Following hashtags as it helps in boosting contents reach. I can say that more than 90% used it for their content to be discovered quickly by the right audience. Instagram need to weigh the consequences because users might seek alternative platforms sooner.

This is exactly what I thought. I follow a few hashtags and related accounts for ideas and to know what is happening. I also use it to discover and be discovered by new audiences. I get the spam angle, but they should deal with that instead of taking away a feature loved by so many and useful for whole businesses.

 

[Shawn]

If you’re an avid user of Instagram then we’re sure you’re familiar with discovering new content with the help of the app's Following Hashtags feature.

So many of us can easily find what we’re looking for with hashtags as it saves time and effort and gives you just what you’re in search of. But wait, we may have spoken too soon as the app is getting rid of its Following Hashtags feature as early as December 17 this year.

The news was confirmed by several users on the platform. The post talks about how any user following a certain hashtag will no longer see it visible on the feed. You won’t also be able to follow any more hashtags either.

It’s not the best news for many Instagram fans who were quick to express their dismay on the matter, while others questioned the motive of doing so.

If you remember, Instagram also raised eyebrows last year in September when its chief Adam Mosseri went live to confirm that the app was testing removing the chance to see new posts published under hashtags for a year. The platform felt this would give users more access to content that was better suited to their liking. It also claimed that the move was done to remove spam and abuse that was growing on the platform.

For now, we’re not quite sure what the motive behind this new change could be but one thing is for sure. Seeing user feedback from now shows how upset they are about the change. Many feel it’s getting rid of creativity and a very useful endeavor. What do you think?

Source: https://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2024/11/instagram-will-remove-its-following.html

I foresee IG essentially getting rid of hashtags at some point.

They've been wanting to for a while, even if they don't admit it.

Who uses them anymore? I don't ever search for hashtags or go to the ones I follow. I haven't for years.

I've gone ahead and stopped using hashtags on my reels and posts. In all honesty, nothing has changed.

Personally, I don't see the big deal about it.

 

[Immortal]

Looks like the platform is trying to feed to user with content that it thinks is right rather than the content users actually want to follow. Social media platforms are eventually becoming fascists.

 

[Reelz]

For me, I don't think it's a good idea at all. I’ve always used the hashtags to boost my content on the platform. It's definitely going to make me miss out on certain things. If it impact how new content can be discovered in the Instagram platform, then it would be just fine.

 

[gwolf666]

I don't think it's a wise decision since many people found content that interested them this way, but hey, what can we do about it? absolutely nothing, just adapt

 

[ActionAce]

I don't think it's a wise decision since many people found content that interested them this way, but hey, what can we do about it? absolutely nothing, just adapt

By replacing “Following Hashtags” it might just reduce the visibility of content to the users. However, I still think that there will be some changes to Instagram’s algorithm and it may favor new posts.