Elon Musk calls hashtags “unnecessary and ugly.” Here’s how users react

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has sparked a lively debate about the relevance of hashtags on the platform. In a recent post, Musk criticized hashtags, describing them as “unnecessary” and “ugly,” sparking a flood of reactions from users.

The controversy began when Musk responded to feedback from an X user and referenced “Grok,” the platform’s AI tool. Musk commented: “Please stop using hashtags. The system no longer needs them and they look ugly.”

His comments sparked a range of reactions and divided opinions among users of the social media platform. While some sided with Musk and argued that hashtags had lost their relevance in the age of advanced algorithms, others strongly defended their importance in organizing content and driving discoverability.

One user jokingly remarked, “Please Mr. Musk, can I keep using #TwoTierKeir?” I heard he doesn’t like it! It’s really a shame; Keir Starmer is the name that keeps coming up in rhyming slang.”

Criticism of Musk’s stance was also widespread, with some users questioning the broader implications for the way content is viewed. We should see everything posted by accounts we follow, with the option to search for hashtags, and not be force-fed the content the app wants us to see from accounts we don’t follow.”

Others responded with sarcasm, with one user suggesting: “We should make #StopUsingHashtags trend,” summing up the irony of the situation.

The debate highlights the evolving role of hashtags in social media. Once a cornerstone of platforms like Twitter, hashtags have traditionally been a powerful tool for grouping content, driving community engagement, and amplifying conversations around trending topics. Their loss of prominence could signal a shift in the way platforms manage content visibility and user engagement.