How to Tag a Photo on Instagram

Tagging a photo on Instagram is one of the most powerful ways to connect with other users, boost your post's visibility, and build a stronger community on the platform. This guide will walk you through exactly how to tag people, locations, and products in your posts, both new and old. We'll also cover some simple best practices so you can get the most out of every tag.

So, Why Should You Bother Tagging on Instagram?

Before jumping into the "how," it's helpful to understand the "why." Every tag you add to a photo serves a purpose beyond just labeling who's in the picture. When used thoughtfully, tagging is a core strategy for organic growth and engagement.

Here's what a simple tag can do for you:

• Boosts Reach and Discoverability: When you tag another user's account, your photo doesn't just show up in your followers' feeds - it also appears in the "Tagged Photos" section of the tagged person's profile. This means their entire audience now has a direct path to discover your content and profile. Similarly, location tags add your post to that location's specific page, making it visible to anyone exploring that area on Instagram.
• Builds Community and Relationships: Tagging is the social part of "social media." Giving credit to a photographer, shouting out a friend, or highlighting a brand you love is a digital high-five. It shows appreciation, fosters goodwill, and encourages others to engage with you. For brands and creators, it's a non-negotiable part of building mutually beneficial relationships with collaborators, brand ambassadors, and loyal customers.
• Drives Sales and Traffic: For businesses with Instagram Shopping set up, product tags act as direct links to your store. You can tag a specific item in your photo, and users can tap it to see the price and click through to purchase - all without leaving the app. It transforms an inspiration post into a seamless shopping experience, shortening the path from discovery to conversion.
• Adds Context and Storytelling: A location tag does more than just pin your photo on a map, it adds a layer to your story. It tells your audience where you were, whether it's a popular cafe, a remote hiking trail, or a local business you support. This context makes your content more relatable and interesting.

How to Tag Someone in a New Instagram Post

Tagging is easiest when you're creating a new post. Both a standard photo tag and an @mention in the caption accomplish slightly different things, and it's good practice to know the difference.

1. Tagging Directly on the Photo (The Best Method)

This is the standard way to tag accounts. It adds a clickable link directly on your image and notifies the person you've tagged them. Most importantly, it adds your post to their profile's "Tagged" tab.

Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Create a New Post: Open Instagram and tap the + icon at the bottom of the screen. Select the photo or video you want to post and tap "Next."
2. Edit (Optional): Apply any filters or edits you want, then tap "Next" again.
3. Find the "Tag People" Option: You're now on the final screen before publishing. You'll see the space for your caption, location, and other options. Tap on "Tag People."
4. Tap the Photo to Add Tags: Your photo will appear. Tap anywhere on the picture where you'd like to place the tag. A search bar will appear inviting you to "Search for a user."
5. Search and Select the User: Start typing the username of the person or brand you want to tag. A list of accounts will populate. Tap the correct one from the list. The tag will now appear on your photo.
6. Repeat as Needed: You can add multiple tags to one photo - Instagram allows up to 20. Just tap on a different spot on the photo and search for the next user. You can also drag the tags around to reposition them if they're covering something important.
7. Confirm and Finish: Once you've added all your tags, tap "Done" in the top right corner. You'll return to the caption screen. Add your caption, location, and hashtags, then tap "Share" to publish your post.

Voila! Your post is live, and everyone you tagged has been notified.

2. Tagging in the Caption (The @Mention)

You can also tag a user by typing the "@" symbol followed by their username directly in your post's caption (e.g., "Great day exploring with @username."). This is called a "mention."

While an @mention will also send a notification to the user and create a clickable link to their profile, it has one key difference: it does *not* add the photo to their profile's "Tagged" tab. Because of this, it's generally considered less powerful for discoverability. An @mention is great for giving a casual shout-out or referencing someone conversationally within your caption.

Oops, Forgot a Tag? How to Add Tags to an Existing Post

Posted a photo and then realized you forgot to tag your friend or the cafe you were visiting? No problem. You can easily edit a post to add tags after it's already live.

Here's how:

1. Go to Your Post: Find the photo on your profile grid that you want to edit.
2. Tap the Three-Dot Menu: Tap the three dots (...) in the top-right corner of your post.
3. Select "Edit": A menu will pop up. Choose the "Edit" option.
4. Tag People: Look for the "Tag People" icon, which is usually a small person silhouette in the bottom-left corner of your photo. Tap it.
5. Add Your Tags: From here, the process is the same as creating a new post. Tap the photo, search for the user, and select their account. Repeat for anyone else you want to tag.
6. Tap "Done": Once you're finished, tap "Done" (or the checkmark, depending on your device) to save your changes.

The users you just tagged will receive a notification, and the post will now appear on their tagged photos tab, just as if you'd tagged them from the start.

For Shoppers and Brands: How to Use Product and Location Tags

Tagging isn't just for people. Tapping into product and location tags opens up powerful new ways for your content to be discovered.

Adding a Location Tag

Adding a location creates a clickable link at the top of your post that leads to a discover page for that specific place. It helps users exploring that location find you.

• During the pre-publishing stage (where you write your caption), simply tap "Add Location".
• A list of nearby or suggested places will appear. If you don't see the one you want, use the search bar to find a specific restaurant, city, park, or landmark.
• Select the correct location, and it will be added to your post.

Tagging Products (For Business/Creator Accounts)

If you have an Instagram Shop set up with a product catalog, you can tag products in your photos, turning your content into a checkout opportunity.

1. On the final pre-publish screen, tap "Tag Products". (Note: This option only appears if you have a Business or Creator account connected to a Facebook Commerce catalog).
2. Tap on the photo where the product appears.
3. Search for the specific item from your product catalog and select it.
4. You can add up to five product tags per photo. Once finished, tap "Done" and share your post. The photo will now have a small shopping bag icon, indicating that it features shoppable products.

Tagging Etiquette: A Few Simple Best Practices

Knowing how to tag is half the battle, knowing when and why makes all the difference. Keep these guidelines in mind to build trust and avoid looking spammy.

• Keep it Relevant: Only tag people or brands who are actually in the photo or directly related to the content. Tagging 50 popular accounts just to get their attention is considered spam and can get your account flagged.
• Don't Be Shy with Credits: If a photographer took the shot, a friend did your makeup, or a local shop designed your outfit, tag them! It's a great way to give credit and strengthen your professional network.
• Be Mindful of How Others Perceive It: Just because you *can* tag someone doesn't always mean you *should*. If a photo is potentially unflattering or private, consider sending it to them in a DM first before posting it publicly in their tagged folder.
• Engage with Tagged Accounts: If a brand you've tagged leaves a comment on your post, reply to it! This acknowledges their engagement and helps build a relationship. Good engagement can even lead to being reposted on their account, further expanding your reach.

Controlling Your Own Tags: How to Manage Photos You're Tagged In

You also have control over the photos that show up on your profile's "Tagged" tab. If someone tags you in a post you'd rather not be associated with, you have a few options.

Hiding a Photo from Your Profile

This keeps you tagged in the photo, but it removes the post from the "Tagged Photos" section of your profile.

1. Go to the photo you're tagged in.
2. Tap on the photo once to make the tags appear.
3. Tap on your username.
4. A menu will pop up. Select "Hide from My Profile".

Removing the Tag Completely

This removes the tag from the photo altogether. The photo will no longer be linked to your profile in any way.

1. Follow the same steps above (tap the photo, then your username).
2. From the menu, select "Remove Me from Post". Then confirm.

Manually Approving Tags

If you want total control, you can enable a setting that requires you to manually approve every photo you're tagged in before it appears on your profile.

To enable this, go to Settings and privacy >, Tags and mentions, and then toggle on "Manually approve tags".

Final Thoughts

Tagging on Instagram is a simple technical skill, but a powerful social strategy. By thoughtfully tagging users, brands, locations, and products, you can significantly increase your reach, build authentic relationships, and open up new avenues for growth and visibility for your profile or brand.

Planning out which collaborators to tag and when can quickly become a full-time job. With our straightforward content calendar at Postbase, we make it easy to see your entire content plan at a glance. You can schedule tagged collaborations and product posts weeks ahead, drag and drop them to reschedule, and get a clear bird's-eye view of your strategy without juggling chaotic spreadsheets. It simplifies the planning so you have more time to focus on creating great content and engaging with your community.