How to Add Mentions on an Instagram Post

Tagging another account in an Instagram post is a straightforward way to build connections, share credit, and expand your audience. It turns your post from a simple broadcast into a direct conversation, linking your content to another person, brand, or creator in a visible and powerful way. This guide will walk you through exactly how to add mentions on any type of Instagram post and, more importantly, the strategy behind when and why you should do it to grow your brand.

The Ultimate Guide to Mentioning on Instagram

There are several places you can mention someone on Instagram: in a post's caption, directly on a photo or video, within an Instagram Story, or in a Reel. Each method serves a slightly different purpose and has a unique impact.

How to Add Mentions to a Standard Feed Post

When you share a photo or video to your main Instagram feed, you have two primary ways to tag another account: in the caption or on the visual media itself.

Method 1: The Caption Mention

The most common way to mention someone is right in the text accompanying your post. It's perfect for giving a quick shout-out, crediting a source, or drawing someone into the conversation.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Start creating your Instagram post as you normally would by selecting a photo or video.
2. After editing your visual, proceed to the final screen where you write your caption.
3. In the caption box, type the "@" symbol followed immediately (with no space) by the username of the account you want to mention. For example: So excited to partner with @localbakery!
4. As you type, a drop-down list of suggested accounts will appear. Tap the correct account from the list to finalize the mention. The text will turn into a blue, clickable link.
5. Finish writing your caption and publish your post.

When you mention someone in a caption, they receive a notification letting them know you've tagged them. Anyone viewing the post can tap on the blue username to go directly to that person's profile.

Method 2: Tagging on the Photo or Video

Tagging someone directly on a photo or video is a more official way to link them to the content. Not only do they get a notification, but the post will also appear on a special "Tagged Photos" tab on their profile, creating a lasting public connection between your accounts.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. After selecting your photo or video, proceed to the caption screen.
2. Tap the "Tag People" option, which is usually located right below the caption-writing area.
3. Tap anywhere on the photo or video. A search bar will appear.
4. Start typing the username of the account you want to tag. Select the correct user from the list that appears.
5. You can drag the tag to a specific spot on the visual - for instance, over the person or product you're mentioning. You can add multiple tags to a single post (up to 20).
6. Tap "Done" and publish your post.

When someone views the post, they can tap a small icon in the bottom-left corner to see who is tagged in the photo or video.

How to Add Mentions in Instagram Stories

Mentions in Stories are dynamic, engaging, and have a unique advantage: the person you tag can easily reshare your Story to their own audience. This is a massive driver for cross-promotion.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open the Instagram Story camera and create your Story by taking a photo, recording a video, or uploading media from your camera roll.
2. Once your visual is ready, you have two ways to add a mention:
   • The @Mention Sticker: Tap the sticker icon (the smiley face in a square) at the top of the screen. Select the "@MENTION" sticker. Start typing the username, select the correct account, and the sticker will appear on your Story. You can resize it, change its color, and drag it anywhere on the screen.
   • The Text Tool: Tap the "Aa" text icon. Type the "@" symbol followed by the username. Just like with caption mentions, select the user from the list that appears. This formats the username as a clickable tag.
3. Finish customizing your Story and share it.

When you tag someone in your Story, they get a notification in their DMs that includes a handy "Add this to your Story" button, allowing them to instantly repost it to their followers with just two taps.

How to Add Mentions in Instagram Reels

Reels are all about reach, and using mentions correctly can amplify that reach even further, especially when collaborating.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Record or upload your video clips in the Reels editor.
2. On the final sharing screen (similar to a regular post), you can add a mention in a few ways:
   • Reel Caption Mention: In the caption box, use the "@" symbol to mention accounts, just like you would for a standard feed post. This is great for giving credit or calling out other creators.
   • Tagging People: Tap on "Tag people" below the caption area. You can search for and select users to tag, making them formally associated with the Reel. This is essential for formal collaborations.
   • Invite Collaborator: If you created the Reel with someone else, you can use the "Invite collaborator" feature. This makes the Reel appear on both of your profiles, sharing likes, comments, and views. The other person must accept your collaborator invitation. This is the ultimate form of tagging for joint projects.
3. Share your Reel. All tagged accounts will receive a notification.

The Unwritten Rules: Using Mentions Strategically

Knowing how to mention someone is a technical skill. Knowing why and when is a marketing strategy. Using mentions effectively can build community, foster partnerships, and create a more dynamic brand presence.

1. To Give Credit and Build Relationships

This is the most fundamental reason to tag someone. Did a photographer take the stunning shot you're posting? Tag their profile in both the photo and the caption. Are you wearing a specific brand's clothing? Tag them. Did another creator inspire your Reel? Mention them. Giving credit is not only proper etiquette, it strengthens your professional network. People appreciate being recognized for their work and are more likely to engage with your content and collaborate in the future.

Example: A local restaurant posts a photo of a new dish and tags the local farm that supplied the fresh ingredients.

2. To Amplify Promotions with User-Generated Content (UGC)

Your customers are your best advocates. When a customer posts about your product or service, they are creating valuable UGC. Resharing their content to your feed or Stories and tagging them is a win-win. They feel recognized and appreciated by a brand they love, and you get authentic, relatable content for your feed.

Example: A skincare brand shares a customer's photo of their "shelfie" to their Stories and uses the @Mention sticker to tag the customer's account, saying, "We love seeing our products in your routine!"

3. For Collaborations and Partnerships

Mentions are the backbone of influencer marketing and brand collaborations. When you're working with another brand, influencer, or business, both parties should tag each other extensively. This leverages each other’s audiences. Use photo tags, caption mentions, collaborator invites - whatever makes the most sense for the campaign. This signals a formal partnership and encourages followers from both accounts to explore the other.

Example: A fitness influencer posts a workout Reel and uses the "Invite Collaborator" feature to tag the athletic apparel brand they partnered with for the video.

4. To Drive Engagement and Conversation

You can use mentions to spark conversation. Posing a question and tagging experts or other brands invites them to respond, boosting engagement on your post. Announcing a giveaway winner and tagging them in the post (or Story) makes them feel special and shows your followers that real people win.

Example: A marketing podcast posts about a new trend and tags a few well-known marketing experts in the caption, asking for their take on it.

Best Practices & Things to Avoid

• Do Double-Check the Handle: A typo can lead to tagging an inactive account or, worse, the wrong person entirely. Always double-check usernames before publishing.
• Don't Spam-Tag: Tagging dozens of irrelevant, high-profile accounts (like celebrities or giant brands) just to get their attention is considered spam. It makes your brand look desperate and can even get your post flagged. Only tag accounts that are genuinely relevant to your post.
• Do Get Permission (When Needed): When sharing personal photos or stories involving clients or customers, it's always a good idea to get their permission before tagging them publicly.
• Don't Forget the Tagged Tab: Remember that when you tag someone in a photo, it lives on their profile forever unless they remove it. Look at this as a shared digital billboard.

Final Thoughts

Adding mentions to your Instagram content is a simple action that delivers major results. It connects you to your community, partners, and customers in a public and authentic way, turning every post into an opportunity for growth and conversation. Using them thoughtfully is a key step in building a vibrant and interactive brand on the platform.

Planning a content calendar that includes strategic mentions - like customer spotlights or partner collaborations - can feel like a lot to juggle. We built Postbase to make this simple. Using our visual calendar, you can plan and schedule all your content ahead of time, ensuring you never miss a chance to tag a partner, credit a collaborator, or show some love to your community. It helps keep your mention strategy consistent and effortless, directly from a single dashboard.