On December 13, Instagram updated its platform to remove the ability to follow hashtags. This decision comes as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to combat spam and refine user experience, shaking up how content is discovered and consumed.
While this move signals a shift away from hashtags as a primary content discovery tool, it opens new opportunities for creators and users to engage more authentically.
Why Instagram is Removing Hashtag Follows
Over the years, trending hashtags have been a goldmine for spammers seeking visibility with irrelevant content. Despite Instagram’s advanced filtering tools, users have continued to report unwanted posts cluttering their main feeds. The platform’s decision to cut the option to follow hashtags aims to declutter these feeds and encourage users to engage directly with creators.
Yet, while hashtags will no longer impact your main feed, expect to find them in Explore and search results—though with a more refined algorithm that better understands content context and relevance.
The Implications for Content Discovery and Community Building
This change represents a fundamental shift in how we interact with Instagram content. Hashtags have long been a defining feature of social media, connecting users through shared interests. However, with algorithmic advances, content relevance no longer relies primarily on these tags. Algorithms can now understand the intrinsic nature of content, highlighting relevant posts regardless of specific tags.
For creators, this means producing content that directly engages audiences may become more critical than optimizing posts for hashtag discoverability. It’s an opportunity to focus on quality and creativity, ensuring every post holds genuine value for followers.
For users, the focus shifts from following trends via hashtags to cultivating more personal connections by following creators directly. This fosters a deeper, more authentic engagement model, aligning well with the trend towards personal branding and unique content creation.
The Shift Towards Personalized Engagement
Instagram’s evolving algorithm pushes forward personalized content recommendations, integrating user likes, shares, and interactions into a refined tailormade feed. This shift rewards authentic engagement, ensuring users see more of what genuinely interests them, even without the reliance on traditional hashtag systems.
Creators and brands are encouraged to leverage this update, exploring new strategies to engage their audiences directly. This could mean collaborations, interactive posts, and innovative content formats that promote active viewer participation.
A Step Toward Hashtags’ Decline?
While Instagram emphasizes hashtags for discovery, their role may diminish as platforms get smarter at identifying content specifics. However, hashtags aren’t dead; they still play a role in expanding reach and connecting niche audiences.
Adapting to the New Normal
Creators and brands should adapt their strategies, focusing on building loyal communities rather than simply maximizing reach through hashtags. Here are a few steps to consider:
Enhance Content Quality: Prioritize creating engaging, high-quality content that resonates with your audience’s interests.
Focus on Direct Engagement: Build meaningful connections through direct interactions and collaborations with followers and other creators.
Leverage Data Insights: Utilize available analytics tools to understand what content performs best and adapt accordingly.
Experiment with Formats: Utilize diverse content formats, like Reels or Stories, to maintain a dynamic presence.
The Future of Content Discovery on Instagram
Instagram’s overhaul is an exciting step towards a more innovative and personalized platform. It positions the company and its users to focus on quality interactions and engagement—critical elements in today’s digital age. Barriers between creators and their audiences are breaking down, heralding a new phase of content interaction where personalized engagement takes center stage.
Businesses and marketers should welcome this change as an opportunity to streamline their Instagram strategies, focusing on creating deeper connections and more significant engagement. By leveraging direct creator interactions powered by modern AI algorithms, the Instagram community can look forward to a richer, more rewarding experience that emphasizes human connection over algorithmic mechanics.
If you need help in navigating digital marketing, don’t hesitate to book a consultation with us by clicking here, or call 1-855-799-8590.
In October 2023, Google and Yahoo rolled out significant changes to their email deliverability protocols. These changes have caused quite a stir among small business owners, email marketers, and digital nomads, raising concerns that their emails might end up in spam folders or face delivery issues. This blog post aims to demystify these changes, explain key concepts like DMARC, DKIM, and SMTP, and provide actionable solutions to ensure your emails continue to reach their intended recipients.
Understanding Email Deliverability
Key Terms and Concepts
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance)
DMARC is an email authentication protocol that builds on the existing SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) protocols. It allows domain owners to specify how incoming emails should be handled if they fail SPF or DKIM checks. Essentially, it helps prevent email spoofing and phishing.
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
DKIM adds a digital signature to your outbound emails, allowing the receiving server to verify that the email has not been altered and truly comes from the claimed sender. It enhances email security and helps improve deliverability.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
SMTP is the protocol used to send emails across the internet. It ensures that your emails are properly routed from your email server to the recipient’s server.
How These Protocols Affect Deliverability and Security
Proper implementation of DMARC, DKIM, and SMTP ensures that your emails are authenticated and trusted by receiving mail servers, thereby reducing the chances of your emails ending up in spam folders. They enhance email security by making it difficult for malicious actors to spoof your domain and send fraudulent emails.
The Changes by Google and Yahoo
Google’s Updates
Google has tightened its email deliverability rules by enforcing stricter DMARC policies. This means that emails failing DMARC checks are more likely to be marked as spam or rejected. Additionally, Google has improved its machine learning algorithms to better detect and filter out spam and phishing emails.
Yahoo’s Updates
Yahoo has similarly updated its email deliverability protocols by enhancing DKIM and SPF checks. Yahoo’s new policies aim to improve user security and reduce the incidence of fraudulent emails. These changes also include more stringent checks on the alignment of sending domains with DKIM signatures.
Why These Changes Were Necessary
Both Google and Yahoo implemented these changes to enhance email security, protect users from phishing attacks, and improve the overall email experience. With the rise in cyber threats, these updates are crucial in maintaining a secure and trustworthy email ecosystem.
Impact on Your Emails
Potential Issues
With these new changes, you may encounter several issues, such as:
Emails are marked as spam or blocked.
Reduced email open rates.
Increased bounce rates.
These issues can significantly impact your email marketing campaigns and hinder your communication with clients and customers.
Solutions and Best Practices
Adapting to the Changes
To ensure your emails continue to reach their intended recipients, follow these best practices:
Implement DMARC, DKIM, and SPF
Ensure your domain is configured with DMARC, DKIM, and SPF records. These protocols must be correctly set up to pass the enhanced checks by Google and Yahoo.
Regularly Monitor Email Deliverability
Use email monitoring tools to track your deliverability rates and identify any issues promptly.
Maintain a Clean Email List
Regularly update and clean your email list to remove invalid or inactive addresses. This helps improve your sender’s reputation.
Authenticate Your Domain
Ensure your domain is authenticated with your email service provider. Authentication improves trust and deliverability.
Fixing MX Records with Google’s Tool
Google offers a tool to help you diagnose and fix issues with your MX records. This tool can be invaluable in ensuring that your email settings are configured correctly and comply with the new deliverability standards.
The changes by Google and Yahoo are part of a broader trend towards enhanced email security and deliverability. As cyber threats continue to evolve, it’s crucial for businesses to stay informed and adapt to new protocols and best practices. Future updates may bring further refinements to email deliverability standards, so proactive management and ongoing education are essential.
Understanding and adapting to Google and Yahoo’s recent changes in email deliverability is crucial for maintaining effective communication with your audience. By implementing DMARC, DKIM, and SPF, regularly monitoring your email performance, and using tools like Google’s MX record checker, you can ensure your emails continue to reach their intended recipients.
Don’t let these changes disrupt your email marketing efforts. Take the necessary steps now to secure your email deliverability and protect your business communications.
Call to Action: Assess your current email practices and make the necessary changes to comply with the new standards. For additional insights and tools to enhance your email deliverability, sign up for our newsletter and stay ahead of the curve.
