Remember when hashtags actually meant something? Back in 2012, hashtags were the lifeblood of social media—a way to discover content, join conversations, and build communities around shared interests. Then algorithms took over, and hashtags became nearly useless on platforms like Twitter/X and Instagram.
Enter Bluesky, and hashtags are back with a vengeance. In 2026, Bluesky is making hashtags popular again, and savvy users, brands, and organizations are taking notice. Here's why hashtags matter on Bluesky and how you can follow, track, and monitor hashtags to never miss an important mention.
Why Hashtags Work on Bluesky
Bluesky's approach to social media is fundamentally different from algorithmic platforms:
- Chronological Feeds: Posts appear in order, so hashtagged content actually gets seen
- Custom Feeds: Users can create and subscribe to feeds based on specific hashtags
- No Algorithmic Suppression: Hashtags aren't deprioritized by engagement-farming algorithms
- Community-Driven Discovery: Hashtags help users find their communities naturally
- Trending Topics: Popular hashtags surface organically based on actual usage
This creates an environment where hashtags function like they did in social media's golden age—as genuine discovery and community-building tools.
How to Follow Hashtags on Bluesky
While Bluesky doesn't have a native "follow hashtag" feature like some platforms, you can track and monitor any hashtag using Skyscraper Tools:
- Visit api.getskyscraper.com/tools
- Create an account (takes 30 seconds)
- Add the hashtag you want to follow (e.g., #Bluesky, #NFL, #YourBrand)
- Choose your alert frequency—hourly or daily email digests
- Receive email notifications whenever that hashtag is used on Bluesky
It's that simple. Every time someone posts with your tracked hashtag, you'll know about it.
Why Brands Need Hashtag Monitoring on Bluesky
If you're a brand, sports team, politician, or organization, monitoring hashtags on Bluesky isn't optional—it's essential. Here's why:
Brand Reputation Management
- Know instantly when your brand is mentioned
- Respond quickly to customer feedback or complaints
- Track sentiment around your products or services
- Identify brand advocates and superfans
Sports Teams & Athletes
- Monitor team hashtags during games
- Track fan conversations and engagement
- Identify trending topics among your fanbase
- Spot opportunities for fan engagement
Politicians & Political Organizations
- Monitor campaign hashtags and slogans
- Track constituent conversations
- Identify emerging issues and concerns
- Respond to mentions in real-time
Media & Journalists
- Track breaking news hashtags
- Monitor story-specific tags
- Find sources and eyewitnesses
- Stay ahead of trending topics
The Return of Hashtag Culture
We're witnessing a genuine hashtag renaissance on Bluesky. Users are rediscovering the joy of hashtag-based discovery:
- #BlueskyCommunity connects new users with welcoming community members
- Event hashtags bring people together around live events
- Niche hashtags help small communities find each other
- Campaign hashtags drive organized movements and causes
This is reminiscent of hashtag culture in 2012, when a well-chosen hashtag could spark a movement or bring thousands of people together around a shared interest.
Skyscraper Tools: Your Hashtag Command Center
Skyscraper Tools provides everything you need to monitor hashtags on Bluesky:
Key Features
- Real-Time Monitoring: Posts are scanned as they're published across Bluesky
- Email Alerts: Receive hourly or daily digests of matching posts
- Multiple Terms: Track hashtags, keywords, brand names, or any phrase
- Affordable Pricing: Plans starting at just $5/month
Pricing
- Skyscraper Tools Basic: $5/month or $20/year – Track up to 5 terms
- Skyscraper Tools Premium: $20/month or $200/year – Expanded tracking capacity
Use Cases: How Organizations Are Using Hashtag Tracking
Example 1: Sports Team
An NFL team tracks #TeamName, #GameDay, and player names. During games, they receive real-time alerts of fan conversations, allowing their social media team to engage with fans, share user-generated content, and respond to concerns immediately.
Example 2: Consumer Brand
A retail brand monitors their brand name, product names, and campaign hashtags. When a customer posts about a problem, they're alerted within the hour and can respond before a small issue becomes a PR crisis.
Example 3: Political Campaign
A campaign tracks their candidate's name, opponent names, and key issue hashtags. This gives them real-time insight into public sentiment and emerging conversations they need to address.
Example 4: Journalist
A reporter covering tech tracks #AI, #Bluesky, #TechNews, and company names. This helps them spot breaking stories and find sources faster than relying on algorithmic feeds.
Tips for Effective Hashtag Tracking
To get the most out of Bluesky hashtag monitoring:
- Track variations: Include common misspellings and abbreviations
- Monitor competitors: Keep an eye on competitor brand mentions
- Use campaign-specific tags: Create unique hashtags for campaigns you can easily track
- Check trending hashtags: Visit our trending hashtags page to see what's popular
- Adjust frequency: Use hourly alerts for time-sensitive topics, daily for general monitoring
The Future of Hashtags on Bluesky
As Bluesky continues to grow in 2026, expect hashtags to become even more powerful:
- More sophisticated hashtag-based custom feeds
- Better hashtag discovery tools
- Integration with starter packs and community features
- Enhanced trending algorithms that reward organic growth
The platforms that killed hashtags did so by prioritizing engagement algorithms over genuine discovery. Bluesky is proving that hashtags work when you let them work.
Start Tracking Hashtags Today
Don't miss important mentions of your brand, team, campaign, or interests on Bluesky. Visit Skyscraper Tools and set up hashtag alerts in under a minute.
- Real-time monitoring of any hashtag or keyword
- Email alerts delivered hourly or daily
- Affordable plans starting at $5/month
- No technical skills required
Hashtags are back. Make sure you're tracking them.