Elon Musk Bans Use of Hashtags on X, Sparking Debate on Platform’s Algorithms

SAN FRANCISCO:In a surprising move, Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), has banned the use of hashtags on the platform, sparking a fresh debate about social media trends and the platform’s algorithms. The ban followed a user’s comment on X’s AI tool, *Grok*, which provided feedback on hashtags.

In response to this post, Musk expressed strong disapproval of hashtags, calling them unnecessary and aesthetically unpleasant. He wrote: *”Please stop using hashtags. The system no longer needs them, and they look ugly.”*

Musk’s post has drawn mixed reactions from X users. Many have criticized the platform’s algorithms, questioning whether such a move would affect content visibility. One user humorously suggested, *”We should make #StopUsingHashtags trend.”*

Hashtags have been a core feature of Twitter (now X) long before Musk’s acquisition, but since taking over, he has implemented several changes, including altering the Blue Tick policy. Now, it seems Musk is shifting focus to minimize the use of hashtags, a staple of the platform’s interaction and content categorization.

This decision has triggered a wider conversation on social media about the evolving nature of platforms and the impact of algorithmic changes on user behavior and content engagement. As of now, it remains unclear how this new policy will reshape interactions on X.