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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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.

Top Rated Comments

Jesse Waugh Avatar
73 months ago
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.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
elemenohme Avatar
73 months ago
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Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)