How to Post on LinkedIn and Tag Someone

Tagging someone on a LinkedIn post is more than just a digital nudge, it's a strategic move to magnify your reach, spark conversations, and build stronger professional connections. It bridges the gap between your network and theirs, turning a simple update into a community event. This guide will walk you through exactly how to post and tag on LinkedIn, the smart strategies behind it, and the common etiquette to follow so you get it right every time.

Why Tagging on LinkedIn is a Game-Changer

Before getting into the step-by-step mechanics, it’s worth understanding why this feature is so powerful. Using the "@" symbol isn't just for notifications. It's a fundamental part of the LinkedIn algorithm and the platform's networking culture.

• Instantly Expands Your Reach: When you tag a person or a company page, your post doesn't just show up in your feed. It becomes visible to some of the tagged accounts' connections as well. If that person engages with your post by liking or commenting, LinkedIn is even more likely to show it to their network, multiplying your potential impressions overnight.
• Drives Higher Engagement Rates: People are far more likely to engage with content they are a part of. A tag is a direct invitation to join the conversation. Tagged individuals often feel compelled to respond, comment, or share the post, which sends a powerful signal to LinkedIn's algorithm that your content is valuable and worth promoting.
• Builds and Strengthens Professional Relationships: Tagging is a form of professional recognition. Use it to give credit for a collaboration, share a powerful quote from a speaker, or thank a client. This simple act acknowledges their contribution and strengthens your relationship. It’s the digital equivalent of a public handshake or a 'thank you' on stage.
• Adds Credibility and Social Proof: Mentioning an expert, a respected colleague, or a well-known company lends authority to your message. When you post a key takeaway from a conference and tag the speaker, you’re not just sharing information - you're associating your insight with their expertise, which adds a layer of credibility.

How to Tag People and Companies on LinkedIn: A Step-by-Step Guide

The actual process of tagging is straightforward, whether you're on a computer or your phone. The key is knowing where and how to initiate the tag.

Tagging in a New Post (Desktop)

Creating a post and tagging someone from your computer gives you the most screen real estate and is the most common way to use LinkedIn. Here’s how it works:

1. Navigate to the LinkedIn homepage. At the top of your feed, you'll see a box that says "Start a post." Click on it.
2. Begin writing the text for your post in the pop-up window. Think about what message you want to convey before adding tags.
3. When you reach the part of your sentence where you want to mention someone or a company, type the "@" symbol.
4. As soon as you type "@", a drop-down menu will appear. Start typing the name of the person or company. LinkedIn will automatically suggest profiles based on your connections and the letters you type.
5. Click on the correct name from the list. Once selected, their name will appear in a bold, blue font inside the post editor. This confirms the tag is active.
6. Once your post is ready and all your tags are in place, add any relevant images, videos, or hashtags, and click the "Post" button.

Pro Tip: Sometimes, a person's name is very common. To ensure you tag the right person, you can add more information, like their company or title, after their name while typing (e.g., "@John Smith VMWare"). The search will narrow down the results.

Tagging in a Comment

Engaging in the comments is one of the most effective ways to network on LinkedIn. Bringing someone else into the conversation via a tag can add value and expand the discussion.

1. Find the post you want to comment on.
2. Click the "Comment" button.
3. Write your response, and when you want to mention someone, simply use the same "@" symbol mechanic from above.
4. Start typing their name, select the correct person from the drop-down list, finish your comment, and hit "Post."

This is especially useful for answering a question someone else in the comments asked or for looping in a colleague who has expertise on the topic being discussed. For example: "That's an excellent question. @JaneDoe, who is our team's lead on this, might have some valuable insights."

Tagging from the LinkedIn Mobile App

The process on mobile is virtually identical, just optimized for a smaller screen. The same principles apply, empowering you to network effectively from anywhere.

1. Open the LinkedIn app and tap the "Post" button floating at the bottom center of the screen.
2. Draft your update in the compose window.
3. Use the "@" symbol followed by the name of the person or company.
4. A list of suggested profiles will pop up right above your keyboard. Scroll through it or keep typing to refine the search.
5. Tap the correct profile to add the tag.
6. Finish your post and tap "Post" in the top right corner.

The Unwritten Rules of LinkedIn Tagging: Best Practices

Knowing how to tag is only half the battle. Knowing when and why to tag is what separates a networking pro from a spammer. Abusing the feature can harm your professional reputation, so follow these guidelines to get the most out of it.

The "Do's" of Smart Tagging

• Do Tag with Relevance: The golden rule of tagging is relevance. Only tag individuals or companies who are directly connected to the content of your post. Are you celebrating a project you worked on together? Are you sharing a quote from their article? Is the update about an event they hosted? If the connection is clear, the tag is appropriate.
• Do Give Credit and Appreciation: Use tagging as a tool for public praise. Acknowledge team members who contributed to a success, thank a speaker for an insightful presentation, or give a shout-out to a company whose product you love. It’s a positive, relationship-building act. Example: "So proud of what our team accomplished this quarter! A huge thank you to @PersonA, @PersonB, and @PersonC for their incredible dedication."
• Do Tag to Share Resources Authentically: If an article, report, or a tool from a specific company informed your post, tag them. It’s a great way to cite your sources and provide additional value to your audience. Example: "Our latest marketing strategy was heavily inspired by the annual report from @HubSpot. Their data on customer trends is a must-read."
• Do Tag to Start a Meaningful Conversation: It's okay to tag an industry leader or a respected connection to ask a relevant question, but do it thoughtfully. Don’t just ask them to share your post. Instead, invite their perspective on a topic where their expertise is well-known. Example: "Fascinating developments in AI-driven analytics. @ExpertInAI, I’d be curious to hear your take on what this means for small businesses."

The "Don'ts" to Avoid

• Don't "Tag Spam": This is the cardinal sin of LinkedIn tagging. Never tag a large, irrelevant list of influencers or connections in the hopes of getting more eyeballs on your post. It's transparent, annoying, and often backfires. The people you tag will feel used, and your audience will see it as a desperate plea for attention.
• Don't Tag Someone Repetitively: Even if your tags are relevant, avoid mentioning the same person in every single post you make. It can come across as overly dependent or even bothersome. Reserve tags for when they truly add value.
• Don't Tag for Negative Call-Outs: LinkedIn is a network for professional growth and support. Avoid tagging people or companies in posts with a negative, critical, or accusatory tone. It's inflammatory and unprofessional. Handle conflicts or criticism through private channels, not public tags.
• Don't Be Generic: When you tag someone, give it context. Don’t just post a link and tag a person with no explanation. Write a short intro explaining why you’re tagging them and why they or their work is relevant. This shows you're being intentional, not lazy.

What to Do After You've Been Tagged

At some point, you'll be on the receiving end of a tag. When this happens, you'll get a notification, and you have a couple of options. Engaging with the post is a great way to acknowledge the mention and continue building the relationship. A simple comment like "Thanks for the shout-out!" or a reshare can go a long way.

However, you always have control. If you've been tagged in something spammy, irrelevant, or something you simply don't want your name attached to, you can easily remove the tag. Just go to the post, click the three dots (...) in the top right corner, and select the option to "Remove tag." LinkedIn will remove the link to your profile without notifying the original poster that you did so.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the art of posting and tagging on LinkedIn comes down to understanding that it's a tool for community building, not just for a selfish visibility boost. When used with relevance, respect, and a clear purpose, it can significantly enhance your professional presence, open doors to new conversations, and strengthen your network one thoughtful mention at a time.

Effectively managing all your social media requires consistency and a solid plan, especially when incorporating strategic moves like tagging. At Postbase, we built our platform to make this process feel effortless. Our visual content calendar helps you strategically map out *when* and *who* to tag in your LinkedIn content weeks in advance, ensuring your networking efforts are thoughtful, not an afterthought. With our simple scheduler, you can plan all your content, customize captions for different platforms, and trust that it will go live without a hitch. If you're looking for a modern tool to manage your entire social media presence without the headache, check out Postbase.