In addition to people and companies, you can also follow hashtags on Instagram. This way you stay better informed about everything related to a specific topic. We explain how to do this.
Follow the Instagram hashtag: this is how you do it
In addition to people, you can also follow individual hashtags. Then Instagram’s algorithms get to work to find the best and most relevant photos and videos associated with that topic.
If you’re a big fan of cats, you can follow #catsofinstagram from now on, or stay up to date with all things Star Wars by following #StarWars. The function works as you are used to from Instagram.
Here’s how to follow a hashtag on Instagram:
- Open Instagram and tap the magnifying glass;
- Enter the hashtag you want to follow;
- Choose the correct search result;
- Press the follow button to start following the hashtag.
This ensures that the best results from a specific hashtag will appear in your timeline from now on. You will suddenly see photos of unknown people appear in your feed.
The fight with the spam
In general, these images and videos are actually about the subject, but sometimes ‘fake’ content comes through. For example, some companies and people unnecessarily use many popular hashtags to get noticed. However, Instagram’s algorithms usually cut through this.
According to co-founder Mike Krieger, the social platform uses a lot of data for this. Instagram therefore knows exactly which posts cause a lot of clicks, followers and viewers. These popular results are shown first, so you don’t get to see the ‘fakes’.