Oh huh! I hadn't realised that it *IS* possible to have an additional hashtag search column without actually following it. (Following the tag would clutter your normal Home timeline.) Do not click Follow for the tag but instead open Settings for the column and Pin it, then Settings again to add other tags if you want. An example I recorded:
#hashtag #search #mastodon #timeline #tutorial #AdvancedView #MastodonSearch #HashtagSearch #HashtagFollow #ColumnView #PinColumns
#hashtag #search #mastodon #timeline #tutorial #advancedview #mastodonsearch #hashtagsearch #hashtagfollow #columnview #pincolumns
An experiment for someone who is investigating following hashtags on different clients. #HashtagFollow
This I sjust a test. This is only a test. #HashtagFollow
Changing the vase for the back row
#hashTagFollow
This is a #HashtagFollow test. It is only a test. If it had been a real toot, it would have had sparkling insights, deadly snark, and a cute picture of a baby capybara.
I just tried the feature with my account (the one I am also posting this from) and the hashtag: #HashtagFollow. Works as intended. In my home timeline on my home server I do see all new posts with this hashtag. This includes posts from users on remote instances whom I do not follow.
Just making a test with #HashtagFollow for fun... (no worries about this tooth).