How to Give Photo Credit on Instagram

Giving photo credit on Instagram seems simple, but getting it right is about more than just a quick tag. Properly acknowledging a creator protects you, respects their work, and helps you build a more authentic community online. This guide will walk you through exactly how and why to credit photos correctly, covering everything from feed posts and Stories to what to do when you can't find the original source.

Why Photo Credit Matters (More Than Just Good Manners)

In the fast-paced world of social media, it’s easy to see sharing a great image as a compliment. But using someone else's work without permission and proper credit is a big deal for a few important reasons.

• It’s About Copyright Law: Just because a photo is online doesn’t mean it’s free to use. The moment a photographer or artist creates an image, they own the copyright to it. Using it without their permission can be copyright infringement, which can lead to legal complications you definitely want to avoid.
• It's Ethical and Respectful: Behind every great photo is a person who invested time, skill, and resources to create it. Crediting them is a fundamental sign of respect for their craft. It acknowledges their effort and prevents you from passing their work off as your own, even unintentionally.
• It Builds Community and Relationships: When you properly credit artists, you open the door to collaboration. Creators notice who shares their work correctly. It can lead to them engaging with your posts, sharing your profile with their audience, or even partnering with you in the future. It’s a powerful way to network and build genuine connections.
• It Adds Credibility to Your Brand: A feed full of properly attributed, high-quality content shows that your brand is professional, trustworthy, and connected to the creative community. On the flip side, getting called out for not crediting someone can damage your reputation quickly.

The Right Way vs. The Wrong Way to Give Credit

Before we get into the step-by-step, let's clear up some common mistakes. Not all credit is created equal.

Common Mistakes (The Wrong Way):

• Vague Phrases: Using captions like "Credit to owner," "Photo credit: Pinterest," or "Found on Google" is not proper credit. It’s a dead end that helps no one find the original creator.
• Hiding the Tag: Tagging the creator in a crowded corner of the photo with 20 other accounts makes the tag functional but practically invisible. The intent of crediting is to direct viewers to the artist.
• No Caption Mention: Just tagging the photo isn’t always enough, especially since not everyone taps on a photo to see the tags. Mentioning the user in the caption is a clearer and more transparent method.

Best Practices (The Right Way):

• Get Permission First: The absolute best-case scenario is asking the creator for permission before you post. We'll touch on this more below.
• Tag and Mention: For maximum visibility, tag the creator's account in the photo and @mention them clearly in the caption.
• Make it Clear: A simple "Photo by @[creator's handle]" or "📷: @[creator's handle]" at the beginning or end of your caption works perfectly.

How to Properly Give Photo Credit on Instagram: A Step-by-Step Guide

The golden rule that applies to everything below is this: always ask for permission before using someone else's content. A quick DM saying, "Hi! I absolutely love this photo and I think my audience would, too. Would it be okay if I shared it on my feed with full credit to you?" goes a long way. Most creators will be happy to let you share, as long as they’re properly credited. Once you have permission, here's how to post.

For Feed Posts (Photos & Carousels)

Feed posts are the most common place for sharing user-generated content (UGC), and getting the credit right here sets the standard for your account.

Step 1: Tag the Creator in the Photo

When you’re uploading your image, you'll see a "Tag People" option. Use this to tag the creator’s Instagram handle directly on the image. When someone taps the photo, a clickable tag will pop up with their username, leading people directly to their profile.

• How to do it: Start creating a new post > After editing, on the final screen before sharing, tap "Tag People" > Tap on the photo where you want the tag to appear > Search for and select the username.

Step 2: Mention the Creator in the Caption

This is the most visible and widely accepted method for giving credit. At either the very beginning or the very end of your caption, include a clear shout-out to the creator using their @handle. This makes it impossible to miss.

• Good Example: "Golden hour hitting just right. ✨
  
  📷: @janedoephotography"
• Another Good Example: "Photo by the talented @janedoephotography! We love how she captured this amazing light."

Putting it at the beginning makes the credit prominent, while putting it at the end keeps your main message front and center. Either approach is great.

For Instagram Stories

Stories disappear after 24 hours, but the rules of proper credit still apply. Because Stories are more interactive, there's a specific feature made just for this purpose.

Use the @Mention Sticker

Instead of just typing out their handle as plain text, using the "@Mention" sticker is much more effective. It creates a clean, clickable sticker that makes it easy for your viewers to visit the creator's profile.

• How to do it: Upload your photo or video to your Story > Tap the sticker icon (the smiley face in a square) at the top of the screen > Select the "@MENTION" sticker > Type in the username and select the correct account.
• Pro Tip: You can tap the sticker to cycle through different color and style options to make sure it matches your Story's aesthetic while remaining clear and legible. Don’t shrink it down so small that it’s impossible to read or tap.

For Instagram Reels

Reels are all about sharing, but since they're often pushed to a wider audience via the Explore page, clear credit is even more important.

Step 1: Mention in the Reel Caption

Just like with a feed post, the caption is prime real estate. Add "Credit: @[creator's handle]" or "Video via @[creator's handle]" so anyone reading the description can find the source.

Step 2: Use the "Tag People" Feature

Reels also have a tagging feature, similar to feed posts. You can tag the original creator's account, and their username will be shown above the caption, usually alongside collaborators or tagged products.

• How to do it: On the final screen before publishing your Reel, find the "Tag people" option > search for and select their username.

What If I Can't Find the Original Creator?

This happens all the time. You find an amazing image on Pinterest or a blog that doesn't list the original source. What should you do?

The simple answer is: if you can't identify the original creator to ask for permission and give proper credit, you shouldn't use the photo. Posting it anyway with a vague "credit to photographer" tag isn't good enough and opens you up to potential copyright issues down the line.

However, before giving up, you can try to find the source with a reverse image search. Tools like Google Images allow you to upload a photo and search for other places it's been posted online. This can often lead you back to the photographer's portfolio or social media profile, where you can then reach out for permission.

But What About Stock or Royalty-Free Images?

Platforms like Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay are fantastic sources for high-quality, free-to-use images. But "free" doesn't always mean "no credit required." While these platforms typically allow commercial use without explicit permission, many still have licensing terms that encourage or prefer attribution.

It's always a good idea to check the specific license for each photo. For example, Unsplash states while credit isn't required, "it is appreciated as it provides exposure to creators’ work and encourages them to continue sharing."

Giving credit in this case is a small gesture that supports the creative community. You can do it the same way you would any other photo: "Photo via @[creator's handle] on Unsplash."

Final Thoughts

Giving photo credit isn't just about following rules, it's about being a good digital citizen. Taking a few extra seconds to find the creator, ask for permission, and credit them properly builds trust with your audience and respect within your community.

We know that planning social content - especially a schedule filled with curated posts from other creators - is a lot to manage. That's why a visual planner can be a real time-saver. With a tool like Postbase, you can use our visual calendar to get a clear overview of your schedule, making it simple to keep track of where your content came from and who to credit. This keeps everything organized, freeing you up to focus on what matters most: creating great content and engaging with your community.