How to Track Hashtags on Instagram

See fresh posts for all your favorite search terms

By
Elise Moreau
Elise Moreau
Elise Moreau
Freelance Contributor
  • University of Ontario
  • George Brown College
Elise Moreau is a writer that has covered social media, texting, messaging, and streaming for Lifewire. Her work has appeared on Techvibes, SlashGear, Lifehack and others.
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Updated on November 21, 2021

What to Know

  • Tap magnifying glass > Search > Tags, enter the hashtag to track, select the hashtag from the results, and view posts.
  • Hashtags you search for appear and are saved in your recent searches.
  • View posts with specific hashtags in your feed by tapping the Follow button next to the hashtag.

One of the best ways to find relevant posts and people to follow on Instagram is by scoping out what's been tagged with keywords or phrases that interest you. Instagrammers use hashtags to categorize their posts, so you can search hashtags you like to find content you'll enjoy. If you want to track that hashtag, follow it just as you would an Instagram account.

How to Search for a Hashtag

It's quick and easy to head to the Instagram Explore page to find new content featuring your favorite hashtags.

  1. Open the Instagram app and select the magnifying glass from the bottom menu.

  2. Tap Search at the top of the Explore page.

  3. Tap Tags from the top menu.

    Search for hashtags on Instagram's Explore page

  4. Enter the hashtag or keyword you want to track, and then select it when you see it in the search results.

    You don't have to add the # symbol in the search term.

  5. You'll see recent posts that include the tag you searched for.

  6. Select a post to view it. The search term remains in your Recent Searches, so you don't have to type it in every time you search.

    Search a hashtag to follow those posts

If you're drawn to a particular hashtag, follow it like you would an Instagram account so that you can see all the posts that feature the tag. Tap any hashtag and then select the blue Follow button. Instagram curates posts that use the hashtag and adds those posts to your feed.

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