Mastodon’s web client allows you to follow hashtags, but the timeline for a hashtag disappears when you navigate away or refresh the page. Pinning a hashtag search tab keeps that timeline permanently accessible as a column in your main interface. This article explains how to locate the pin feature, set up a persistent hashtag column, and manage pinned tabs for quick access to your favorite topics.
Key Takeaways: Pinning a Hashtag Search Tab in Mastodon Web
- Search field in the left sidebar: Enter a hashtag to open its timeline, then pin it from the column header menu.
- Column header pin icon or menu: Click the pin icon or the three-dot menu in the hashtag column header to select Pin.
- Pinned columns list in settings: Go to Preferences > Appearance > Pinned columns to rearrange or remove pinned tabs.
What the Hashtag Pin Feature Does and What You Need
The hashtag pin feature in the Mastodon web client turns a temporary search result into a permanent column. When you search for a hashtag, Mastodon displays a timeline of public posts containing that tag. Without pinning, this timeline disappears if you click a post, switch columns, or reload the page. Pinning adds the hashtag timeline as a fixed column next to your Home, Notifications, and Local timelines. The pinned column stays visible across sessions and page refreshes until you remove it.
To use this feature, you need a Mastodon account on any instance that runs the standard web interface. The pin option appears only after you perform a hashtag search. The feature works on both the single-column view and the advanced multi-column view. In the advanced view, pinned columns appear as separate resizable panes. In the single-column view, pinned hashtag tabs appear as additional tabs in the top navigation bar.
Steps to Pin a Hashtag Search Tab in the Web Client
These steps work in the standard Mastodon web interface, including both the single-column and advanced column layouts. You must be logged into your Mastodon account to follow these steps.
- Open the search field
Click the magnifying glass icon in the left sidebar or press the forward slash key on your keyboard. The search field opens at the top of the sidebar. - Type the hashtag you want to pin
Enter the hashtag including the hash symbol. For example, type #photography or #mastoadmin. As you type, Mastodon shows suggestions. Click the hashtag result or press Enter to open its timeline. - Locate the column header
The hashtag timeline opens as a new column. Look at the top of this column. You will see the hashtag name, a three-dot icon on the right, and optionally a pin icon if your version of Mastodon shows it directly. - Pin the hashtag column
Click the three-dot icon in the column header. A dropdown menu appears. Select Pin from that menu. If you see a pin icon directly in the header, click it instead. The column remains visible after you click this option. - Confirm the column is pinned
After pinning, the column stays in place even if you navigate to other columns or refresh the page. In the single-column view, the hashtag appears as a new tab in the top navigation bar. In the advanced view, the column remains as a resizable pane.
How to Pin in the Advanced Multi-Column View
If you use the advanced web interface with multiple columns, the steps are identical. The advanced view shows all columns side by side by default. After you pin a hashtag column, it remains in its position. You can drag the column header to reorder pinned columns. The advanced view is enabled in Preferences > Appearance > Enable advanced web interface.
How to Rearrange or Remove Pinned Hashtag Columns
- Open Preferences
Click the gear icon in the left sidebar and select Preferences from the menu. - Go to Appearance
In the left navigation of the Preferences page, click Appearance. - Scroll to Pinned columns
In the Appearance section, find the heading Pinned columns. You will see a list of all pinned columns with a remove button next to each one. - Remove a pinned column
Click the Remove button next to the hashtag you want to unpin. The column disappears from your interface immediately. You can also rearrange columns by dragging them in this list if your browser supports drag and drop.
Common Mistakes and Limitations When Pinning Hashtag Tabs
Pin Option Does Not Appear in the Column Header
The pin option may be missing if you are not on the hashtag timeline itself. Ensure you have performed a search for the hashtag and are viewing its timeline. Also verify that you are using the official Mastodon web client, not a third-party app or a custom theme that removes the pin feature. Some Mastodon instances run modified interfaces. If the pin option is absent, try the default Mastodon interface by appending /web to your instance URL.
Pinned Hashtag Column Shows No Posts
A pinned hashtag column may display an empty timeline if the hashtag has no recent public posts. Mastodon only shows posts that the instance has federated. If your instance has not seen any posts with that hashtag, the column remains blank. Try a more popular hashtag to confirm the feature works. You can also force a refresh by clicking the column header and selecting Refresh from the three-dot menu.
Pinned Columns Reset After Logout or Browser Clear
Pinned columns are stored in your Mastodon account settings, not in browser cookies. They should persist across logouts and browser restarts. If pinned columns disappear, check that you are logged into the correct account. Also verify that your instance has not reset your preferences due to a server-side error. If the issue persists, re-pin the hashtag column using the steps above.
Mastodon Web Client Views: Single-Column vs Advanced Multi-Column
| Item | Single-Column View | Advanced Multi-Column View |
|---|---|---|
| Column layout | One column at a time with tabs at top | Multiple resizable columns side by side |
| Pinned hashtag behavior | Appears as a tab in the navigation bar | Appears as a permanent column pane |
| Column reordering | Not available in single-column view | Drag column headers to reorder |
| Enable location | Default view for all users | Preferences > Appearance > Enable advanced web interface |
Pinning a hashtag search tab in the Mastodon web client gives you a permanent window into any topic you follow. You can now open a hashtag timeline and lock it in place with the pin option in the column header menu. To manage your pinned tabs, visit Preferences > Appearance > Pinned columns. For a more flexible layout, enable the advanced multi-column view to see several pinned hashtag columns at once.