You want to keep a Mastodon hashtag feed handy so you can check it quickly without typing the search term each time. Mastodon does not have a dedicated bookmark button for hashtags, but you can pin a hashtag column in the web interface or save the search URL in your browser. This article explains how to save a hashtag feed using the built-in column pinning feature and the browser bookmark method.
Key Takeaways: How to Save a Mastodon Hashtag Feed
- Column pinning in Mastodon web interface: Right-click a hashtag column header and select Pin to keep the feed visible across sessions.
- Browser bookmark for any Mastodon instance: Bookmark the URL
https://INSTANCE/tags/HASHTAGto open the feed directly. - Third-party app support: Apps like Tusky and Fedilab let you save hashtag feeds as columns or favorites.
How Mastodon Hashtag Feeds Work
Mastodon organizes public posts around hashtags. When you click or search a hashtag, the server returns a feed of recent public posts that include that tag. This feed is not a permanent list — it updates in real time as new posts appear. Mastodon does not store personal hashtag collections on the server side. Instead, the web interface and mobile apps offer client-side ways to keep a hashtag feed accessible.
The web interface includes a multi-column layout. Each column can show a different timeline: Home, Local, Federated, Notifications, or a specific hashtag. You can pin a hashtag column so it reappears every time you open the web app. On mobile, third-party apps provide similar column or list functionality. The browser bookmark method works on any device because it relies only on the URL.
Steps to Save a Hashtag Feed in the Mastodon Web Interface
These steps work in the official Mastodon web interface on a desktop or laptop browser. The multi-column view must be enabled — most instances use it by default.
- Open the hashtag feed
Type or paste the URLhttps://YOUR-INSTANCE/tags/YOUR-HASHTAGinto the browser address bar. Replace YOUR-INSTANCE with your instance domain and YOUR-HASHTAG with the tag name (no hash symbol). Press Enter. - Switch to the multi-column view if needed
If only one column appears, click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) at the top left and select Advanced view. The layout changes to multiple columns. - Right-click the hashtag column header
The column header shows the hashtag name and a gear icon. Right-click anywhere on that header area. - Select Pin from the context menu
A small pop-up menu appears. Click Pin. The column header now shows a pin icon. - Verify the column persists
Refresh the page or close and reopen the browser tab. The pinned hashtag column appears in its original position alongside your other timelines.
To unpin, right-click the column header again and select Unpin. The column disappears after refresh.
How to Save a Hashtag Feed Using a Browser Bookmark
This method works on any Mastodon instance and any device with a browser. It does not require the multi-column view or an app.
- Navigate to the hashtag feed
Open your browser and go tohttps://YOUR-INSTANCE/tags/YOUR-HASHTAG. Replace the placeholders with your instance and tag. - Bookmark the page
Press Ctrl+D (Windows) or Cmd+D (Mac). A dialog appears. Edit the bookmark name and folder location. Click Done or Save. - Access the bookmark later
Open the bookmark from your browser bookmarks bar or menu. The hashtag feed loads immediately.
The URL format works for any public hashtag. Replace HASHTAG with any tag, including multi-word tags like photography or mastoadmin.
How to Save a Hashtag Feed in Third-Party Mastodon Apps
Third-party apps often provide native ways to save hashtag feeds. The exact steps vary by app, but the general approach is similar.
Tusky (Android)
- Search for the hashtag
Tap the search icon and type the hashtag including the hash symbol. For example,#photography. - Open the hashtag feed
Tap the hashtag result. The feed displays. - Add the feed as a tab
Tap the three-dot menu at the top right and select Add tab. The hashtag appears as a new tab in the main timeline view.
Fedilab (Android)
- Search for the hashtag
Tap the search button and enter the tag without the hash symbol. - Open the hashtag feed
Select the hashtag from the results. - Save as a favorite
Tap the star icon at the top of the feed. The hashtag is saved in the Favorites section of the app.
Ice Cubes (iOS)
- Search for the hashtag
Tap the magnifying glass icon and type the hashtag with the hash symbol. - Open the feed
Tap the hashtag entry. - Pin the feed
Tap the three-dot menu and select Pin. The feed appears in the sidebar under Pinned.
Common Issues and Things to Avoid
Pinned Column Disappears After Refresh
This happens when the browser blocks local storage or cookies for the Mastodon instance. Check your browser settings. Allow storage for the instance domain. Also ensure you are using the official web interface, not a third-party wrapper.
Bookmark URL Shows an Error Page
The most common cause is a typo in the URL. The format is https://INSTANCE/tags/HASHTAG. Use lowercase for the hashtag name. Mastodon hashtags are case-sensitive, but the server converts them to lowercase internally. If the tag contains special characters, try the URL-encoded version (for example, %23 for the hash symbol is not needed because the tag is in the path, not the query string).
Hashtag Feed Shows No Posts
The feed only shows public posts from federated instances. If the hashtag is new or used only in private posts, the feed may appear empty. Try a more popular tag to confirm the feature works. Also check that your instance is not blocking the remote instances where the posts originate.
Third-Party App Does Not Save the Feed
Some apps lack a save or pin feature for hashtags. Use the browser bookmark method as a fallback. You can also copy the feed URL and paste it into the app search bar each time.
Comparison: Pin Column vs Browser Bookmark vs Third-Party App
| Item | Pin Column (Web) | Browser Bookmark | Third-Party App |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup effort | Low — a few clicks | Low — one bookmark action | Medium — depends on app features |
| Persistence across sessions | Yes, until unpinned | Yes, permanent | Varies by app |
| Works on mobile browser | No — requires multi-column view | Yes | Yes |
| Requires instance login | Yes | No (feed is public) | Yes |
| Real-time updates | Yes, auto-refresh | Manual refresh | Usually auto-refresh |
Choose the pin column method if you use the web interface daily and want the feed to update automatically. Use a browser bookmark if you need a quick link from any device. Third-party apps are best if you prefer a mobile-native experience with column management.
You now know three ways to save a Mastodon hashtag feed: pinning a column in the web interface, creating a browser bookmark, and using a third-party app. The pin column method is the most convenient for desktop users because the feed updates automatically. Try pinning a hashtag column for a topic you follow regularly, such as technews or art. For a more organized approach, consider using Mastodon lists alongside pinned hashtag columns to separate topics.