Index: wp-admin/edit-tags.php
===================================================================
--- wp-admin/edit-tags.php	(revision 38348)
+++ wp-admin/edit-tags.php	(working copy)
@@ -542,7 +542,26 @@
 </form></div>
 <?php }
 
-if ( ! is_null( $tax->labels->popular_items ) ) {
+/**
+ * Filters whether to display a tag cloud of the popular items in the taxonomy edit
+ * screen.
+ *
+ * The tag cloud is a feature of non-hierarchy taxonomies. Until WordPress 4.7, the
+ * tag cloud was visible. Since WordPress 4.7 it is hidden.
+ * 
+ * Using this filter you can control the visibility of the tag cloud in your custom
+ * taxonomies. You can display the tag cloud using `__return_true`.
+ *
+ * @since 4.7.0
+ *
+ * @param bool   $display_tag_cloud Whether to display the popular items tag cloud.
+ *                                  Default is false, don't display the tag cloud.
+ * @param object $tax               The taxonomy object.
+ */
+$tag_cloud_visibility = apply_filters( 'display_admin_popular_items_tag_cloud', false, $tax );
+
+if ( ! is_null( $tax->labels->popular_items ) && true === $tag_cloud_visibility ) {
+
 	if ( current_user_can( $tax->cap->edit_terms ) ) {
 		$tag_cloud = wp_tag_cloud( array( 'taxonomy' => $taxonomy, 'post_type' => $post_type, 'echo' => false, 'link' => 'edit' ) );
 	} else {