It’s a Quality Audit, Not a Loss: Navigating the 2026 Instagram Bot Purge

Yesterday, May 6, 2026, the social media world woke up to a digital earthquake. From the sprawling feeds of global influencers to the local pages of Oakville businesses, follower counts didn’t just dip—they plummeted. At LM Marketing, we saw it firsthand: our own accounts were not immune, with my personal profile seeing a correction of 768…

Beyond the Likes: The Hidden Dangers of Following Every Social Media Trend

In our last post, we dove into the specific privacy risks of the “2016 throwback” trend. But that’s just one example of a much larger phenomenon. From the “Ice Bucket Challenge” to the latest TikTok dance or AI portrait generator, viral trends are the heartbeat of social media. They make us feel connected, entertained, and…

How Marketers Can Adapt Now That Hashtag Following Is Over

While Instagram users can still search for hashtags to find relevant content, the platform recently removed the ability to follow hashtags, so users no longer see posts that include hashtags they have followed directly in their feed. Instagram’s move has shifted content discovery and led to a potential decline in reach for branded accounts that relied on…

5 Mistakes Brands Make When Launching a New Product on Social Media (And How to Avoid Them)

Social media has become an indispensable tool for brands launching new products. With its vast reach and diverse audience, it offers a powerful platform to generate excitement, build anticipation, and drive sales. However, a successful social media product launch requires careful planning and execution. Many brands stumble by making avoidable mistakes that can hinder their…