Mastodon lets you follow hashtags just like you follow people. When you follow a hashtag, posts that use that tag appear directly in your Home timeline. This keeps you updated on topics you care about without manually searching each time. This article explains how to follow a hashtag on Mastodon from the web interface and the official mobile app.
Following a hashtag works differently than following an account. You do not send a follow request. Instead, Mastodon adds the tag to a list of followed tags on your profile. Posts tagged with that hashtag then appear mixed into your Home timeline alongside posts from people you follow. This is useful for tracking news, events, hobbies, or professional topics.
This guide covers the exact steps to follow a hashtag on both desktop and mobile. It also explains how to unfollow a hashtag and what happens when you follow multiple tags.
Key Takeaways: Following Hashtags in Mastodon
- Search for the hashtag: Use the search bar on Mastodon to find the tag you want to follow.
- Click or tap “Follow” on the hashtag page: The follow button appears on the hashtag’s dedicated page.
- Unfollow a hashtag: Go to your profile, open the “Hashtags” section, and click “Unfollow” next to the tag.
How Following a Hashtag Works in Mastodon
Mastodon treats hashtags as content streams. When you follow a hashtag, the server collects all public posts that include that tag from federated instances your server knows about. These posts appear in your Home timeline in reverse chronological order, just like posts from people you follow.
You can follow any hashtag that exists on your instance. The tag does not need to be trending or popular. If no one has used the tag yet, you can still follow it — posts will appear when someone uses it.
Each followed hashtag appears on your profile page under a “Hashtags” tab. Other users can see which hashtags you follow. This is public information unless you have a private profile.
Following a hashtag does not affect your notifications. You will not get alerts for new posts with that tag. The posts simply appear in your Home timeline.
Steps to Follow a Hashtag on Mastodon Desktop Web
The desktop web interface uses the same steps across all Mastodon versions. Follow these steps exactly.
- Open the search bar
Click the search icon or the search box at the top of the Mastodon interface. This is usually located in the left sidebar or top navigation bar. - Type the hashtag name
Type a hash symbol followed by the tag name. For example, type#photography. Do not include spaces. Mastodon will show search suggestions as you type. - Select the hashtag from the results
Click the hashtag result that appears in the dropdown. This opens the dedicated hashtag page showing all recent posts using that tag. - Click the “Follow” button
On the hashtag page, look for a button labeled “Follow” near the top of the page, next to the hashtag name. Click it. The button changes to “Unfollow” to confirm the action. - Check your Home timeline
Go back to your Home timeline. Posts with that hashtag should now appear among your regular feed. It may take a few seconds for new posts to show up.
Steps to Follow a Hashtag on Mastodon Mobile App
The official Mastodon app for iOS and Android follows the same logic. The button placement differs slightly.
- Tap the search icon
Tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the app screen. This opens the search view. - Enter the hashtag
Type the hashtag name with the hash symbol. For example,#technews. Tap the search button on your keyboard. - Tap the hashtag result
Tap the hashtag that appears in the search results. This opens the tag’s post feed. - Tap the “Follow” button
Look for a button labeled “Follow” near the top of the hashtag page. It is usually below the tag name or next to the post count. Tap it. The button changes to “Following” to confirm. - Return to your Home timeline
Swipe back to the Home tab. Posts with the hashtag will appear in your feed.
Common Mistakes and Limitations When Following Hashtags
Hashtag Follow Button Not Showing
If you do not see a Follow button on the hashtag page, you might be viewing a local-only tag or a tag that is not recognized by your instance. Try typing the tag exactly as it appears in other posts. Use only lowercase letters and no spaces. If the issue persists, log out and log back in.
Posts Not Appearing in Home Timeline
Posts with the followed hashtag may not appear immediately. Mastodon caches tag results. Wait a few minutes and refresh your Home timeline. Also verify that the posts are public. Private or unlisted posts with the tag do not appear in your Home timeline.
Following Too Many Hashtags Clutters Your Feed
Each followed hashtag adds posts to your Home timeline. If you follow many tags, your feed can become crowded with posts from people you do not follow. Consider following only a few key hashtags at a time. You can always unfollow tags later.
Unfollowing a Hashtag
To unfollow a hashtag, go to your profile page. On desktop, click your avatar in the top right and select “Profile.” On mobile, tap your avatar icon. Scroll down to the “Hashtags” section. Find the tag you want to remove and click or tap “Unfollow.” The tag stops appearing in your Home timeline within seconds.
Mastodon Hashtag Following vs Account Following
| Item | Following a Hashtag | Following an Account |
|---|---|---|
| Content source | Public posts from any instance using that tag | Public and unlisted posts from that specific account |
| Notifications | No notifications when new posts appear | Optional notifications for new posts |
| Visibility | Visible on your profile under Hashtags tab | Visible on your profile under Following tab |
| Unfollow method | Profile > Hashtags > Unfollow | Profile > Following > Unfollow |
| Effect on Home timeline | Posts mixed with account posts | Posts mixed with hashtag posts |
Following a hashtag is a lightweight way to monitor a topic without committing to an account. It is useful for temporary events or broad interests. Account following is better for consistent updates from a specific person or organization.
You can now follow any hashtag on Mastodon and see its posts in your Home timeline. Use the search bar to find tags and click Follow on the tag page. On mobile, the same steps apply through the search icon. To keep your feed manageable, review your followed hashtags regularly and unfollow tags that no longer interest you. For advanced control, create a list of hashtags and use the list view instead of the Home timeline.