Instagram, the popular photo-sharing app, has been experimenting with a new feature. A handful of users were given the ability to follow hashtags, not just other users, as part of a limited test. At the moment, it seems that this feature does not include all content under certain hashtags but will only show trending and more recent posts.
@Social_Pip seems to be the first user to notice Instagram’s newest experiment, and it’s safe to say that it would be a useful one. This feature, if it is officially brought on, would allow users to follow certain topics or events thus bringing much more content into their personal feed. Instead of surfing your way through waves of hashtags and profiles for your preferred content, it would be delivered to you from both ends. Sounds pretty convenient to me!
Ok this is new. What does this do @SimonSocialMM @BizPaul @NatalieTFG any ideas? I've followed 2 but can't find what that means!! pic.twitter.com/LlCBk4Wmfv
— Pippa Akram (@Social_Pip) November 9, 2017
Apps and sites are constantly rolling out experiments like this, so there is no telling if the hashtag follow will stay or not. There also isn’t a clear number of how many users are currently testing the new feature either. Instagram is a rapidly growing app, and this feature would definitely help keep their numbers. When you’re looking for something specific, sometimes it’s hard to find just the right user or ones who post regularly enough. This would also help smaller Instagram pages that are just starting out. So, everyone is happy!
Instagram has not commented on the test as of yet, but it is garnering plenty of attention. It is an interesting concept, and one that I’m surprised hasn’t been thought of already. But all we can do for now is wait until Instagram finishes their experiment.
First Twitter and now Instagram! What do you think of all the changes being implemented by social media? Let us know in the comments below, and come back to The Nerd Stash for all of your tech and social media news!
