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If you are attached to "explore," why not something like the old Google option: A click on "Explore" directly serves up a rotating curated blog post or a thread with LOTS of action. #suggestions

I like this suggestion

yup they just look like a thread

You must not have clicked on any of them

As an old usability geek, I'll just say that your navigation is your most valuable real estate. Leave "Home" as is, lose "Explore" and replace with "Blogs" lose the hashtag and replace a page type icon. Make it obvious.