#HashtagUpdate (Finally)

sweettalkmedia
Feb 22
2 min read

Now we know… we’re finally breaking up with 30 hashtags.

Let’s be real! Spending twenty minutes researching thirty different hashtags for a single post felt kinda… ew! It felt like clutter, it looked like spam, and honestly? It wasn't helping the algorithm find the right people anyway.

We finally have an official update! Straight from the Instagram Creators newsroom, we have new instructions for hashtags that allow you to focus more on content quality than tag quantity.

The New Standard: Why 3 to 5 is the Magic Number

Instagram has updated the platform to favour 3 to 5 highly targeted hashtags. Here is the breakdown of why this works better for your brand:

Precision over Noise: When you use 30 hashtags, the algorithm has to guess what your post is about. When you use 5, you are giving it a clear roadmap to your ideal client.
Cleaner Aesthetics: Your content should be the star of the show. Removing the "wall of blue text" keeps your brand looking high-end and professional.
Actual Performance: Instagram explicitly stated that using fewer, more intentional hashtags improves how your content performs in the feed and on the Explore page.

Tips for Optimal Hashtag Use

Since we only have five slots now, we have to be intentional. Here is how to pivot your strategy today:

Stay Relevant: Focus on tags that are specific to the content you're publishing. If you’re a beauty creator, use targeted tags like #SkincareRoutineTips to help the right people find you.
Stop the Spam: Avoid tags like #reels or #explore. Instagram confirmed these don’t actually help you get discovered and can, in fact, hurt your content's reach.
Think Like a Client: What is your dream customer typing into the search bar? Use your 5 slots to match those specific searches.

Pro Tip: Focus on moving your descriptive keywords into your actual caption sentences. Instagram's search tool now "reads" your captions to categorize your content, making your regular words just as searchable as a hashtag!

Let’s Get Your Time Back

Keeping up with every tiny platform update is exhausting, and you shouldn't have to do it. You should be focused on your business, not wondering if you’re using the "right" number of hashtags this week.

Our solution? Let’s set up a system that works so you don’t have to.

In our 1:1 coaching sessions, we cut through the noise. We’ll build a clear marketing plan tailored to your business, then show you how to use AI as your "social media intern." (JK, we still love humans—but let's use the tools!) We’ll teach you how to use AI to handle the heavy lifting without losing your unique voice. We’ll set up social media systems and scheduling tools so your content goes out consistently while you stay offline.

Book Your Consultation