Hashtags in 2026: What Instagram’s New Limits Mean for Your Small Business

In this episode, Kat tackles one of the most misunderstood and ever-changing parts of social media: hashtags. With Instagram now testing new limits of just 3 to 5 hashtags per post, this episode unpacks what’s really happening, how it affects reach and discovery, and what local small business owners should do to stay strategic — and sane — on social media.What this episode covers 👀 Instagram is testing new hashtag limits: 3 or 5 instead of 30.Hashtags are no longer a major driver of reach — they’re now used more for search and categorization.The Instagram algorithm reads your entire post, not just hashtags: image, caption, text on screen.Relevance matters more than quantity: 3–5 strategic hashtags > 30 generic ones.Go local and specific: use location-based and niche keywords to improve discoverability.Focus on creating content that tells your story and centers your audience.Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave 5 stars!Sticker shoutout: https://www.instagram.com/justfollowyourartshop/ ☆ Join the Social with Kat Club: Fun & effective content prompts, coaching, and community for small business owners https://socialkatmedia.com/social-with-kat-club?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=social-goals ☺ Connect with Kat:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialkatmedia/* Threads: https://www.threads.net/@socialkatmedia* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kat-tepylo-murphy/ ☺ Free Resources to Help Your Small Business:https://socialkatmedia.com/resources?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=social-goals