September 17, 2025
That’s why we’re setting the record straight on five common Instagram myths that are still floating around in 2025. Whether you’re a content creator trying to grow your audience, or a marketing team chasing better engagement and ROI, this myth-busting guide will help you focus on what actually works - no hacks, no hearsay.
From the truth about scheduling posts to whether hashtags still matter, we’re cutting through the noise with insights straight from Instagram’s own CEO, Adam Mosseri. No guesswork, no gimmicks, just clarity, so you can post with purpose, build your community, and grow your reach with confidence.
Let’s banish this myth to the shadow realm, shall we? Some folks still believe that using third-party schedulers like Planoly, Later, or Buffer will tank your post's performance. But Instagram itself has set the record straight: Scheduling does NOT affect reach.
So whether you’re posting live from your couch or scheduling from a café in Bali, your content will perform just the same. Save yourself the stress and plan ahead. Your mental health (and your metrics) will thank you.
Creator Tip:
Batch your content, schedule it, and take a break without stressing your reach. The algorithm won’t punish you, it might just reward your consistency.
Social Media Manager Tip:
Use scheduling tools to maintain a cohesive content calendar across multiple campaigns. It’s a smart way to scale output without sacrificing engagement.
Burnout is real. But unfortunately, so is the dip in reach when you go MIA for too long.
Instagram's CEO, Adam Mosseri, has said it’s not a punishment, just how the algorithm currently works. The platform prioritizes active, consistent accounts because, well, engagement drives the machine.
This doesn’t mean you need to post daily like it's your job (unless it is your job 👀), but ghosting for weeks might slow your momentum.
Creator Tip:
A brief pause won’t break your account, but ghosting your audience for too long might. Stay present by pre-scheduling posts, even when life gets busy.
Social Media Manager Tip:
Build in content buffers during off-peak or vacation periods to avoid performance drops. Sustained presence = stronger community retention.
Once upon a time, stuffing your post with 30 hashtags was the golden ticket to virality. Now? Not so much.
Instagram’s algorithm has evolved. Hashtags are more about categorization than discovery. If you’re hoping to reach new audiences, start thinking in keywords, not just #mood.
Instagram now relies heavily on AI to understand your content, which means your captions and on-screen text (especially in Reels) need to say what your post is actually about.
Creator Tip:
Think keywords over clutter. Write captions like you're explaining your video to a friend, that’s how Instagram understands your content now.
Social Media Manager Tip:
Audit your brand's hashtag strategy. Shift focus to SEO-friendly language in captions and overlay text to help Reels and posts surface in relevant searches.
Instagram has released the “Edits app” and early adopters are getting a little algorithmic love.
Reels created and published through Edits currently enjoy a slight reach boost. Why? Because Instagram wants you to use their tools.
Creator Tip:
Want a boost? Try editing your next Reel inside the Instagram Edits app. IG is nudging users that way, so ride the wave while it lasts.
Social Media Manager Tip:
Pilot the Edits app for upcoming campaigns and measure lift in Reels reach. Then decide if it's worth building into your workflow or testing with creators you manage.
Got a typo? Missed an emoji? Forgot to tag your collaborator? No need to worry, editing your caption after posting won’t doom your reach.
Mosseri confirmed it himself: tweaks to captions post-publishing don’t negatively affect performance. So go ahead and fix that “your” to “you’re” without fear of algorithmic revenge.
Creator Tip:
Fixed a typo or forgot a tag? No stress. Edit away, it won’t hurt your reach. Perfection isn't required, authenticity is.
Social Media Manager Tip:
Encourage your team to update captions when needed. Performance won’t suffer, and updated content can improve clarity and brand voice over time.
The Instagram algorithm might still hold some mysteries, but one thing’s clear, building reach and engagement isn’t about buying into myths, it’s about leaning into strategy. Whether you're a creator turning your passion into profit or a social media manager juggling brand voice and metrics, knowing what actually moves the needle is half the battle.
By staying informed, using the right tools, and focusing on consistency over guesswork, you’re setting yourself up for sustainable growth.
