How to Post a Location on Facebook

Adding a location tag to your Facebook post is one of the simplest and most effective ways to boost your content's reach, especially if you're a local business. This guide will walk you through exactly how to do it, whether you're posting from your phone or computer, editing an old post, or even creating a brand-new location for your business. We’ll also cover why this small action packs a big marketing punch.

Why Does Tagging Your Location on Facebook Even Matter?

You might see the location-tagging or "Check In" feature as just another field to fill out, but it’s a powerful tool with some serious benefits. Adding a location gives your posts context and makes them discoverable to a much wider audience beyond your immediate followers. For brands, creators, and businesses, it’s a non-negotiable part of a solid social media strategy.

Here’s the breakdown of why you should always be adding a location:

• Boosts Local Discovery: When you tag a specific place - whether it's your coffee shop, a local park, or an event venue - your post becomes searchable to anyone looking for content in that area. Someone searching Facebook for photos taken at "City Center Park" might discover your post and, by extension, your Page. It’s like free, hyper-targeted advertising.
• Increases Engagement: Posts with location tags tend to get more engagement. They feel more authentic and grounded in the real world, which prompts users to interact. It gives followers a tangible connection to what you're sharing, making them more likely to comment something like, “I love that place!” or “I’m right around the corner!”
• Encourages User-Generated Content (UGC): When your business has a check-in location, you make it easy for customers to tag you. A customer posting a photo of their lunch and tagging your cafe provides you with valuable UGC. This is authentic social proof from real people, which is far more convincing than a standard ad.
• Adds Context and Storytelling: A location tag helps tell a richer story. Sharing behind-the-scenes content from your office, photos from a community event, or a video from a pop-up shop are all enhanced by a location. It shows you're an active part of your community, not just a faceless online brand.

How to Tag a Location in a New Facebook Post (Step-by-Step)

The process is slightly different depending on whether you’re using your mobile device or a desktop computer. Here’s how to handle both scenarios for personal profiles and business pages.

On the Facebook Mobile App (iOS and Android)

Most content is posted from our phones, and thankfully, Facebook makes it incredibly straightforward to add a location on the go.

1. Open the Facebook app and start a new post. Go to your news feed, profile, or page and tap the "What's on your mind?" area to open the post composer.
2. Add your text, photos, or video. Write your caption and upload whatever media you want to share.
3. Tap the location icon or 'Check In'. Below the text box, you’ll see a row of icons for adding things to your post (like photos, tags, feelings, etc.). Look for the red map pin icon. Depending on your version of the app, it might be labeled or just shown as the icon. Tap it.
4. Select your location. Facebook will immediately suggest nearby locations based on your phone's GPS data. If you see the right one, just tap it. If not, start typing the name of the place in the search bar at the top. The list will update as you type.
5. Finish and share. Once you select a location, its name will appear in your post draft. All you have to do now is hit the "Post" button.

Pro Tip: Your phone’s location services need to be enabled for Facebook to suggest nearby places automatically. If the list is empty, check your phone's privacy settings to grant the Facebook app location access.

On a Desktop Computer

The process on a laptop or desktop computer is just as simple, though the interface looks a little different.

1. Go to Facebook.com and start a new post. Click the "What's on your mind?" box at the top of your news feed or on your page.
2. Write your post and add your media. Just like on mobile, create your content first.
3. Click the location icon. In the "Add to your post" pop-up window, you'll see several icons. Click the red map pin icon labeled "Check in."
4. Search for your location. A search box will appear with the prompt "Where are you?". Start typing the name of the business, landmark, city, or event. Facebook will suggest matching locations as you type.
5. Select it and post. Click on the correct location from the drop-down list. You'll see it added to your post. Now all you have to do is click the blue "Post" button.

How to Add or Change a Location on an Existing Facebook Post

Forgot to add a location? Don't worry, you can easily edit a post you've already published to add one in.

1. Find the post you want to edit. Go to your profile or page and scroll to the post.
2. Open the edit menu. Click or tap the three dots (...) in the top-right corner of the post.
3. Select "Edit Post". This will open the post editor, showing your original caption and media.
4. Add the location. In the editor, you will see the same location pin icon ("Check in") that you see when creating a new post. Click it, search for your location, and select it.
5. Save your changes. Once the location is added, click the "Save" button. The post will update instantly with the new location tag.

How to Create a Custom Location for Your Business

What if your location doesn't exist on Facebook yet? This is common for new businesses, pop-up events, or unique locations that haven't been created by another user. Creating a new place is simple, but it generally must be done from a mobile device while you are physically at or near the location.

This allows you to associate your Business Page with a brick-and-mortar address, making it "checkable" for you and your customers.

Why would a business need to do this?

• Your business is brand new and not yet listed.
• You're hosting an event at a temporary or unique venue (e.g., "Annual Company Picnic at the Lake").
• Your location appears incorrectly and you want to create a more accurate one.

Steps to Create a New Location:

1. First, ensure location services are ON for Facebook. Go to your phone’s settings, find the Facebook app, and make sure its location access is set to "While Using" or "Always". This is non-negotiable for this process to work.
2. Start a new post with 'Check In'. Open the Facebook app, start a new post, and tap the "Check In" button (the location pin icon).
3. Search for your new location's name. In the search bar at the top of the locations list, type the exact name of the business or place you want to create. Scroll through the results. If Facebook can't find a match, you'll see an option to create it.
4. Tap the "Add [Your New Location Name]" option. This button usually appears at the bottom of the search results with a gray plus icon next to it. Tapping this will take you to the "Create a Place" screen.
5. Choose a Category and Location. You'll be asked to pick the most relevant category for your place (e.g., 'Restaurant,' 'Store,' 'Home'). You'll then specify the location. If you are physically there, use the "I'm currently here" option for the most precise placement. You can also type in a specific address.
6. Tap "Save" or "Create". Once you fill out the details, tap the button at the top-right to create the new place. Your post will now use this brand-new location you just made. After a short review, it will become publicly available for other users to check in at as well.

Troubleshooting: Why Can't I Find My Location?

Sometimes things don't go as planned. If you're struggling to tag or create a location, here are a few common issues and their fixes.

• Location Not Showing Up in Search: Double-check the spelling. If it's your business page, confirm that you've added an accurate address in your Page's "About" section. Sometimes it takes a little while for a newly added Business Page to become searchable as a location.
• "Add a Place" Option is Missing: This function is primarily designed for mobile. If you're on a desktop, you won't see it. It also relies heavily on having location services enabled on your mobile device. If they're off, Facebook likely won't give you the ability to create a new place because it can't verify your coordinates.
• Vague or General Locations Don't Work for Check-Ins: Trying to check into "Downtown" is often difficult. Be more specific, like "City Hall" or "Grand Avenue." The more specific the search query, the better your results will be.

Final Thoughts

Tagging your location on Facebook is a straightforward tactic that gives your personal and business posts a huge lift. It’s an easy way to connect with a local audience, provide context to your followers, and boost your overall discoverability on the platform in a natural, authentic way.

At Postbase, we believe social media tasks shouldn't feel like a chore. After you've planned out all your location-specific content, our scheduling tools can help you publish it seamlessly across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and more, all from a single visual calendar. We focus on being the reliable backbone for your strategy, ensuring your accounts stay connected and your content goes live exactly when it should - so you can spend more time engaging with your community in those local spots you love.