Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), has announced plans to remove hashtags from the platform, a feature that has been integral to social media since its introduction in 2007.
On December 18, 2024, Musk stated, "Please stop using hashtags. The system doesn't need them anymore and they look ugly." His comments have ignited a mixed response from users, with some supporting the change, citing the effectiveness of algorithms in content discovery.
In a humorous twist, users initiated the hashtag #StopUsingHashtags to mock Musk's proposal. Meanwhile, the platform's AI, Grok, echoed Musk's sentiments, describing hashtags as "as useful as a screen door on a submarine." The AI suggested that hashtags lead to digital obscurity rather than visibility.
Hashtags were first proposed by Chris Messina in 2007 and have since become a staple of online communication, helping to categorize content and trends. Musk's initiative marks a significant shift in the platform's approach to user engagement.