How to Navigate the Removal of Hashtag Follows on Instagram？

What Are Instagram Hashtag Follows

Instagram's hashtag following feature was first introduced in 2017, allowing users to follow hashtags like #outfitinspo (which has 18.9 million posts) just as they would follow a friend or user account.

Posts under those hashtags, even from accounts users didn’t follow, would appear in their feeds. This long-standing feature will be removed next month.

By following specific hashtags, users and creators could gain insights into what was popular and resonating with target audiences—for example, #TravelCouple, #travelgram, or #VacayGoals within the travel industry.

It also served as a way for both users and creators to stay updated on specific topics, whether general ones like #surfing or more niche (and smaller-reach) tags like #surfingphotography.

How To Find Your Hashtag Follows

Head to your profile and click on 'Following.' From there you'll see a list of all the accounts you follow.

Above that list is 'Categories.' One of the categories is 'Hashtags, creators and businesses." Click on that and you'll see a hashtag symbol (#) next to 'Hashtags.' Click that and a list of your followed hashtags will be laid out.

It may be worth reviewing accounts that you commonly see under your followed hashtags and ensuring that you directly follow the Instagram accounts.

This way, when Instagram hashtag follows are removed, you won't miss out on relevant content that you're used to seeing.

Are All Hashtags Being Removed

No, although hashtags won't be followable after Dec 13th, hashtags on Reels and posts will still be available as normal.

For content creators, this means it's still recommended to label your content with relevant hashtags for discoverability, branding, promotion, and tracking.

Stick to more popular or trending tags instead of obscure, highly specific names (#DIY1980sBathroomMirrorRetrofit is too long and niche — but within the DIY and retrofit community hashtags like #DIYbathroom or #bathroommakeover will connect you to others in the space).

Sure, you want to make things personal and custom to your brand or product, but that's what the post's content is for. Keep the hashtags more general and wide-reaching so interested viewers find you. Think of it as signage directing users to your content.

What the Hashtag Shakeup Means For Content Creators

For content creators, Instagram’s discontinuation of hashtag following may seem like a hurdle, particularly when it comes to building and sustaining community connections. Hashtag follows provided a straightforward way for users interested in specific industries, hobbies, or topics to discover and engage with relevant content. This feature enabled creators to reach audiences beyond their immediate follower base, promoting organic growth and visibility.

However, the relevance of hashtags has been declining across major platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Advanced algorithms now dominate the content discovery process, using user behavior, content context, and personalized recommendations to curate homepages and discovery feeds. In 2024, it’s fair to say that hashtags play only a minimal role in content discovery, engagement, and reach within the realm of "Instagram SEO."

Creators must adapt to a landscape where strategic planning and profile optimization hold greater importance than ever before.

To adapt to the changes, ensure your Instagram profile is optimized for clarity, relevance, and immediate impact. With the hashtag follow feature disappearing, users may shift to following individual creators directly. Your profile must instantly convey your brand and purpose.

Revamp Your Profile Intro: Update your bio text to be concise, compelling, and relevant to your industry or niche. Highlight your unique value or expertise.

Optimize Your Profile Image: Use a high-quality, recognizable image that aligns with your personal or business brand.

Leverage Instagram Stories: Between December 13th and 20th, capitalize on the transition by populating your Instagram Stories with fresh, branded content. This ensures that as users view your profile, they’ll see current and relevant material, making it more likely they’ll hit the follow button.

Your profile is now the first and possibly only chance to convert casual viewers into loyal followers, so make it count. You can use Kapwing's Instagram Video Editor to enhance Story videos and ensure they have the most professional finish before uploading.