Why We’re No Longer Including Hashtags on Your Social Media Posts
You might’ve noticed we’ve stopped using hashtags on your Facebook and Instagram posts. That’s because Instagram is no longer prioritizing hashtags when deciding what content to show users. Instead, it’s focusing more on how people interact with posts.
So, what’s more important now?
Instagram’s algorithm now looks at how engaging your content is. In other words, posts that get more:
- Likes
- Comments
- Shares
- Saves
…are more likely to be pushed to a user’s suggested content or explore page by Instagram.
While we help you maintain a consistent online presence through monthly content, we wanted to share some tips you can use to help boost your content even more:
- Share High-Quality, Original Photos 🤳
Partners who send us original images usually have a more polished, professional-looking feed. Instagram tends to favor this type of content over stock photos.
Plus, showing off your original work helps customers connect with your brand and shop, and gives them a better sense of your style and creativity.
- Try Different Post Types: Photos, Carousels & Reels 📸 🎥
Don’t just post one photo at a time. Try sharing a carousel (a post with multiple images) or a short video (called a Reel) each week, two new features we’re now offering 😉. These types of posts are more engaging and reach more people.
💡Pro Tip 1: Have a new collection for the season, want to show off a wedding you just did, or just have a beautiful arrangement you want to highlight? Take a few photos from different angles and turn them into a carousel post!
💡Pro Tip 2: Try adding music to carousel and video content! Choose a favorite song of yours, or a trending sound to help boost visibility.
- Write Smarter Captions 💬
Because hashtags only help organize your posts into a category, try writing your captions to be search-friendly because Instagram is now looking at your captions to decide who to show your content to.
That means writing clear, keyword-rich captions (like “wedding flowers,” “seasonal bouquet,” or “local florist in [city]”) helps more people find you, without the need for hashtags.
- Be Active on Your Account 📲
Having consistent posts on your account isn’t the only solution to growing your audience and getting new customers. It knows when you:
-
Reply to comments
-
Like and comment on other posts
- Ex: engaging with who you’re following and your followers
- Ex: interacting with similar accounts as yours
-
Responding to DMs
Doing these few things tells Instagram you’re an active, engaged account, which can help get your account in front of more users, turning those into future customers!
- Location, Location, Location 📍
Users often search for things like “florists in [city]” or “flower shop near me.” By tagging your location in your posts, Instagram is more likely to show your content to those nearby users.
- Make Your Instagram Bio Work for You ✍️
Make sure your Instagram bio gives people everything they need to know about your shop at a glance:
- Your name and location (e.g, [BloomNation] | [Santa Monica, CA])
- Website and contact information
- Services you provide, such as delivery/pickups, events, or weddings
- A short description of who you are and your shop’s values
💡Pro Tip 1: Remember, you only get 150 characters, so keep it short and sweet!
💡Pro Tip 2: If your account is set up as a business profile, add a “Business Category” (like “Florist”) so users who visit your page and Instagram can easily understand what your business is.
Key Takeaway:
Hashtags used to be the best way for users to discover your content, but Instagram is changing. Now, it rewards content that people interact with organically. That’s why we’re shifting our strategy, because social media is always evolving, and we want to help your business grow and try to get your content the best results we can.