Instagram thinks you might want to follow hashtags just like you do people

Wouldn't it be nice if you could follow a hashtag on Instagram?

It would, wouldn't it? We're glad you think so, because the Facebook-owned app is reportedly testing a new feature that'll let you do just that.

Twitter user Pippa Akram first spotted the unannounced Instagram feature and posted it on Twitter, according to The Next Web.

As shown in her screenshot embedded below, when you click on hashtags, there's an option to follow it to "see top posts and recent stories."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Currently, Instagram only lets you follow people. It's a system that works, but doesn't help you stay on top of trending hashtags or custom-made hashtags.

With Twitter, you can use apps like TweetDeck or Hootsuite to follow and keep tabs on specific hashtags instead of manually searching for them each and every time.

The ability to follow hashtags on Instagram looks like it would work the same way. It would also change the way we use Instagram. Users would be able to keep better tabs on topics that matter to them and it could also be very useful for keeping tabs on breaking news.

Mashable has reached out to Instagram for comment on the feature, which appears to be available in limited capacity for select users in certain regions. Instagram frequently tests new features, which may or may not be released publicly, on a small pool of users.

Instagram's looking a little bloated these days, but this is one feature many would welcome.