The Mesh Strategy - Online Ministry - April 2025
- Thaddeus Sieverding
- Apr 25
- 1 min read
Mastering Your Church’s Digital Presence
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Are Hashtags Still a Thing?
You’ve probably noticed: hashtags aren’t as hyped as they used to be. So, what changed?
Here’s the deal:
Instagram no longer lets users follow hashtags, and they’ve limited how you can sort hashtag results. That means your posts don’t get the same reach just by tagging popular terms.
Why it matters:
Instagram’s leaning more on its algorithm—recommending content based on what people like and watch rather than what’s hashtagged. It’s all about search and Explore now.
So, should you ditch hashtags?
Not quite. They still help the algorithm understand your content. Just be intentional. Stick to hashtags that are specific to your post—using spammy ones like #foryoupage can actually hurt your reach.
Think of hashtags less like billboards and more like keywords. Before posting, do a quick search on Instagram for a hashtag you're thinking about using. If the top posts don’t align with your content, skip it. You want to show up where your people are actually looking—not just where the crowd is loud.
May Content Calendar
Online Ministry Bonus Tip:
Hop into Meta Business Suite once a week and check your Insights. Look for which posts got the most reach, reactions, or shares—then ask yourself why. Was it the topic? The graphic? The timing? You don’t need to be a data nerd—just pay attention to patterns and let that shape what you create next.
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