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Instagram is currently testing a new feature that allows users to follow hashtags on the picture-sharing social platform, according to reports.

Currently, Instagram users must rely on individual accounts to keep up with content they want to engage with. However the added ability to follow hashtags, first spotted by Twitter user @Social_Pip and The Next Web, could make it much easier for users to find the content they're interested in.

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Ok this is new. What does this do @SimonSocialMM @BizPaul @NatalieTFG any ideas? I've followed 2 but can't find what that means!! pic.twitter.com/LlCBk4Wmfv - Pippa Akram (@Social_Pip) November 9, 2017

For example, users interested in Formula 1 racing could follow the hashtag #formula1 and see the relevant content in their feed without having to actually follow the account holders who post the content.

Understandably, this could quickly become overwhelming, so Instagram appears to be limiting current hashtag follows to "top posts and recent stories", as per the overlay description that hovers over the option.

So far there's no indication if or when Instagram will roll out the hashtag following ability to everyone, but the feature's usefulness suggests it could make the cut sooner rather than later.

Article Link: Instagram's Testing a Feature That Lets Users Follow Hashtags
 
This is good. I'm starting to focus on Instagram for promoting my art - more so than on Facebook, which has gotten stale because of the overly restrictive algorithms, and Facebook Pages becoming pay-to-play. Searchability of hashtags facilitates good discovery on Instagram, and being able to follow hashtags might make it even better.
 
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Long overdue; what’s the point of using a hashtag if one has to search for it to see its posts? I’ve been thinking this is needed for years. Twitter has never had “follow a hashtag” functionality but it should; again, hashtags are useless if you can’t follow them.
 
Long overdue; what’s the point of using a hashtag if one has to search for it to see its posts? I’ve been thinking this is needed for years. Twitter has never had “follow a hashtag” functionality but it should; again, hashtags are useless if you can’t follow them.

Actually back in the early days of Twitter you could follow a hashtag. It's how #PDXTST got started being popular in Portland, OR. It was text only at the time so it was before the app. I hope Instagram does allow you to follow a hashtag. But I hope even more that Twitter brings it back!
 
I really like this. With so much negativity in the world today, I’m spending less and less time on Facebook and Twitter. I’d rather just look through amazing pictures. Following a hashtag will yield far more reliable photography themed than just following people.
 
Long overdue; what’s the point of using a hashtag if one has to search for it to see its posts? I’ve been thinking this is needed for years. Twitter has never had “follow a hashtag” functionality but it should; again, hashtags are useless if you can’t follow them.

I never use the Twitter app. Don’t most third party apps support following tags?

Anyway, I wish all these apps would just hurry up and become identical clones, all stuffed with the exact same features. It’s becoming far too inefficient for me to consume my RDA of advertising.
 
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