22 Sept 2025
Instagram Hashtags: What London Businesses Need to Know (Latest Algorithm Update)
Instagram Hashtags: What London Businesses Need to Know (Latest Algorithm Update)
For years, hashtags were at the heart of Instagram marketing. Brands, influencers, and small businesses alike relied on them to drive reach and visibility. But Instagram’s CEO Adam Mosseri has now confirmed: hashtags are no longer the growth hack they once were.
So what does this mean for your brand? And how can London businesses stay ahead of the algorithm changes? As the best marketing agency in London, DAP Marketing UK helps companies adapt their social media strategy to match the latest updates.
Hashtags Are No Longer the Key to Growth
Mosseri has made it clear that hashtags don’t significantly increase reach or views. They still help categorise content and provide context, but simply adding #LondonBusiness or #MarketingTips won’t make your post go viral.
Instagram reinforced this by removing hashtag following in 2024, showing the platform is relying more on AI-powered recommendations and search than on tags.
What the Instagram Algorithm Values Now
If hashtags are no longer the star, what signals actually drive growth? At DAP Marketing UK, we focus on the factors Instagram now prioritises:
Keyword-rich captions and bios – Instagram is indexing text like a search engine. Using terms such as digital marketing London, social media marketing agency, and content marketing London can make your posts more discoverable.
Alt text and SEO optimisation – Writing strong alt text helps Instagram (and even Google) understand your content, boosting long-term visibility.
High-quality engagement – Saves, shares, and meaningful comments matter far more than likes. Content that inspires action is rewarded with greater reach.
AI-driven content recognition – Instagram can now “see” what’s in your photos and videos, categorising them automatically. Strong visuals are as important as strong copy.
Local relevance – Using location tags like London or Shoreditch ensures your content is more visible to local audiences. For businesses in the capital, local SEO is essential.
Why London Businesses Need to Adapt
If you’re still relying on hashtags alone, you’re missing out. Winning on Instagram today requires a London marketing agency that understands both the algorithm and the wider digital marketing landscape.
DAP Marketing UK helps businesses with:
Social media strategy and content creation
SEO-driven Instagram campaigns
Local SEO for London-based growth
Paid advertising and lead generation
For years, hashtags were at the heart of Instagram marketing. Brands, influencers, and small businesses alike relied on them to drive reach and visibility. But Instagram’s CEO Adam Mosseri has now confirmed: hashtags are no longer the growth hack they once were.
So what does this mean for your brand? And how can London businesses stay ahead of the algorithm changes? As the best marketing agency in London, DAP Marketing UK helps companies adapt their social media strategy to match the latest updates.
Hashtags Are No Longer the Key to Growth
Mosseri has made it clear that hashtags don’t significantly increase reach or views. They still help categorise content and provide context, but simply adding #LondonBusiness or #MarketingTips won’t make your post go viral.
Instagram reinforced this by removing hashtag following in 2024, showing the platform is relying more on AI-powered recommendations and search than on tags.
What the Instagram Algorithm Values Now
If hashtags are no longer the star, what signals actually drive growth? At DAP Marketing UK, we focus on the factors Instagram now prioritises:
Keyword-rich captions and bios – Instagram is indexing text like a search engine. Using terms such as digital marketing London, social media marketing agency, and content marketing London can make your posts more discoverable.
Alt text and SEO optimisation – Writing strong alt text helps Instagram (and even Google) understand your content, boosting long-term visibility.
High-quality engagement – Saves, shares, and meaningful comments matter far more than likes. Content that inspires action is rewarded with greater reach.
AI-driven content recognition – Instagram can now “see” what’s in your photos and videos, categorising them automatically. Strong visuals are as important as strong copy.
Local relevance – Using location tags like London or Shoreditch ensures your content is more visible to local audiences. For businesses in the capital, local SEO is essential.
Why London Businesses Need to Adapt
If you’re still relying on hashtags alone, you’re missing out. Winning on Instagram today requires a London marketing agency that understands both the algorithm and the wider digital marketing landscape.
DAP Marketing UK helps businesses with:
Social media strategy and content creation
SEO-driven Instagram campaigns
Local SEO for London-based growth
Paid advertising and lead generation