How to Add Tags to an Instagram Post

Tagging on Instagram is your backstage pass to more reach, engagement, and genuine connection, but it goes way beyond just sprinkling a few hashtags in your caption. To truly stand out, you need to understand the different types of tags and how to use them strategically. This guide breaks down exactly how to tag people, locations, and products, along with a deep dive into finding and using the right hashtags to get your content seen.

Why Tagging on Instagram Matters More Than You Think

Before getting into the how-to, it’s worth understanding why you should bother mastering tagging. Done right, tagging transforms your post from a simple image or video into a hub of discoverability and connection. Think of it less as a feature and more as a strategy:

• Boosts Discoverability: Properly used hashtags and location tags put your content in front of people actively searching for your niche, product, or location. They’re like signposts that lead new audiences directly to you.
• Builds Community & Collaboration: Tagging other accounts - whether they’re customers, collaborators, or brands you admire - creates connections. It notifies them of your post, encourages sharing, and shows you’re an active participant in your community, not just a broadcaster.
• Adds Context and Credibility: A location tag tells a story about where you are. Tagging a photographer gives them proper credit. Product tags show an item is authentic and shoppable. Each tag adds a layer of information that builds trust with your audience.
• Increases Engagement: Ultimately, all of this leads to higher engagement. When the right people find your content through tags, they’re more likely to like, comment, save, and follow.

The Three Main Types of Instagram Tags (And How to Use Them)

Let's get into the specifics of each tag type, covering how to add them and best practices for making them work for you.

1. Tagging People and Brands (@Mentions)

Tagging another account is the most direct way to connect with them on Instagram. It shows up on their profile in the "Tagged Photos" tab and sends them a notification, making it a powerful networking tool.

How to Tag an Account in a New Photo or Video Post

This is the classic way to credit someone or feature them in your visual content. Tagged accounts appear when a user taps the photo.

1. Create a new post by tapping the + icon at the bottom of your screen.
2. Select your photo or video and move through the editing steps.
3. On the final screen before publishing (where you write your caption), tap "Tag People."
4. Tap anywhere on the photo where you'd like the tag to appear.
5. Start typing the username you want to tag. A list of accounts will appear - select the correct one.
6. Repeat for up to 20 different accounts. Tap "Done" when you're finished.

For Reels, you'll find the "Tag People" option in the same final sharing screen before you hit "Share."

How to Tag an Account in Your Caption or Comments (@mention)

You can also "mention" an account directly in your text. This is great for shouting out a brand, asking a question, or referencing someone in conversation.

1. In your post caption or in a comment, type the @ symbol.
2. Immediately start typing the username of the account you want to mention, with no space after the @.
3. As you type, a list of suggested accounts will pop up. Tap the correct one to complete the tag.

How to Add or Edit Tags on an Existing Post

Did you forget to tag someone? No problem. You can easily add tags to a post you've already published.

1. Go to the post you want to edit and tap the three-dot menu (...) in the top-right corner.
2. Select "Edit."
3. On a photo post, you'll see a "Tag People" icon in the bottom-left corner of the image. Tap it.
4. From here, you can tap the photo to add new tags or tap existing tags to remove them.

Tag Responsibly: Best Practices

• Be Relevant: Only tag accounts that are actually in the photo or are directly relevant to the content. Tagging celebrities or big brands just for attention is spammy and can get your post reported.
• Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC): Ask your followers to tag your brand in their photos for a chance to be featured. This is a brilliant way to source authentic content and build a strong community.
• Credit Your Sources: Always tag photographers, stylists, artists, and anyone else who contributed to creating your content. It’s professional courtesy and helps build valuable industry relationships.

2. Using Hashtags for Reach (#YourTopicHere)

Hashtags are Instagram’s filing system. They group your post with other content about the same topic, making it discoverable to users who follow or search for those specific tags.

How to Add Hashtags to a Post

You can add up to 30 hashtags to a regular post or Reel. While there’s ongoing debate about where they should go, you have two main options:

• In the Caption: The easiest method is to place them directly at the end of your caption. For a cleaner look, you can add 3-5 line breaks (by typing a period or emoji then hitting "return") to push the hashtag block down so it's less visible on the main feed.
• In the First Comment: Immediately after posting, you can paste your block of hashtags into the first comment. This keeps your caption perfectly clean. The functionality is identical in terms of search - Instagram will still index your post for those tags. The only downside is a slight delay between posting and adding the hashtags.

Which is better? It’s purely an aesthetic choice. Test both and see what you prefer.

Finding Hashtags That Actually Work

Using 30 random, super-popular hashtags is a recipe for getting lost in the noise. A strategic approach is much more effective. Your goal should be a mix of tag types:

• Broad Hashtags (1-2): These are tags with millions of posts (e.g., #interiordesign, #digitalmarketing). It's tough to rank high, but they provide some initial visibility.
• Niche Hashtags (10-15): This is your sweet spot. These tags are more specific and have fewer posts (e.g., #midcenturymodernlivingroom, #socialmediamanagerforstartups). Your ideal customer is more likely to be searching here, and you have a better chance of appearing in the "Top" posts.
• Community or Branded Hashtags (2-5): Use your own unique hashtag (e.g., #YourBrandGoesHere) and encourage your followers to use it. You can also use tags related to your specific community or industry event (e.g., #yourlocalbusinessgroup).
• Geo-Specific Hashtags (1-3): If you're a local business, this is a must. Tags like #nyccoffeeshop or #londonpersonalstylist target users in a specific area.

To find these, use Instagram's search bar. Type in a keyword, tap "Tags," and Instagram will show you a list of related hashtags along with their post count. Look at what your competitors and industry leaders are using - what niche tags are they consistently ranking for?

Common Hashtag Mistakes to Avoid

• Using Banned Hashtags: Some seemingly innocent hashtags are banned by Instagram because they've been associated with inappropriate content. Using one can "shadowban" your post, preventing it from appearing in any hashtag searches. Do a quick search of your tags before using them - if no "Top" or "Recent" sections appear, the tag is likely banned.
• Using the Same Block Every Time: Copying and pasting the exact same 30 hashtags on every post can look spammy to the algorithm. Create 3-4 different "sets" of relevant hashtags and rotate them based on what your specific post is about.
• Being Irrelevant: Don't use a hashtag just because it's popular. Clogging up a search for #travelphotography with a picture of a selfie will only annoy users and signal to the algorithm that your content isn't a good match for that tag.

3. Adding Location Tags (Geotags)

A location tag, or geotag, physically grounds your post on the map. Users can click on it to see other photos and videos taken in the same spot, and your post will appear on that location’s feed. This is incredibly valuable for local businesses and travel content.

How to Add a Location Tag

1. On the final screen before publishing, look for the "Add Location" option right below "Tag People."
2. Tap it, and Instagram will suggest nearby locations based on your phone’s GPS. You can also use the search bar to find any location in the world.
3. Select the most accurate location. For a physical store, you should use your own specific business's location. For content creation, you might use a more general neighborhood, park, or city.

When and Why You Should Use a Geotag

• Local Businesses: If you are a coffee shop, retail store, or service provider with a physical address, you should be geotagging every single post with your specific location. This helps you get discovered by local customers.
• Travel Creators: Tagging the exact beach, monument, or restaurant you’re visiting creates a visual diary and helps other travelers find inspiration and plan their trips.
• Event Marketing: Hosting or attending a market, conference, or workshop? Use the specific event venue's location tag so other attendees can find your content.

Bonus: Mastering Product Tags for E-commerce

If you're selling products, Instagram Product Tags are a game-changer. They allow you to tag items directly in your photos, videos, and Reels. When a user taps the tag, they see the product name and price, and can tap again to visit your website and purchase it.

To use this feature, you first need to be approved for Instagram Shopping by setting up a Commerce account and linking an e-commerce catalog through Facebook Business Manager. Once approved, the ability to tag products will appear alongside the "Tag People" option in your post creator, transforming your Instagram feed into a visually rich, interactive storefront.

Final Thoughts

Tagging on Instagram is far more than an afterthought, it's a core mechanic for growth. By thoughtfully using a combination of people tags, targeted hashtags, location tags, and, if applicable, product tags, you build a network of discoverability that draws the right audience to your content.

We know that managing different sets of hashtags, planning collaborations that require proper tagging, and tracking what's actually working can become a lot to handle. We built Postbase to simplify exactly that. Our visual calendar lets you plan all your content - tags included - in one clear view, and our analytics help you quickly see which posts and tags are driving real engagement, so you can stop guessing and start creating smarter content.