How to Tag in a LinkedIn Post

Tagging people or companies on LinkedIn is one of the simplest ways to expand your post's reach and spark a real conversation. This guide will walk you through exactly how to tag on LinkedIn, share best practices for doing it strategically, and highlight common mistakes to avoid so you can use this feature like a pro.

Why Tagging on LinkedIn Matters So Much

You might think of tagging as just a casual way to mention someone, but on LinkedIn, it’s a powerful tool for professional networking and content strategy. When used correctly, tagging does more than just link a name, it activates a series of positive effects that amplify your content and strengthen your professional circle.

• It Instantly Expands Your Reach: When you tag a person or a company page, your post doesn't just show up in your own network's feed. It also has the chance to appear in the feeds of people connected to the person or page you tagged. It’s like getting a direct introduction to a whole new audience.
• It Boosts Engagement: Tagging someone directly invites them into the conversation. The person or page you tag gets a notification, making them far more likely to see your post, comment on it, or share it with their own network. This initial engagement sends positive signals to the LinkedIn algorithm, which can then show your post to even more people.
• It Builds Relationships and Gives Credit: A tag can be a virtual high-five. It’s a great way to give credit to a collaborator, thank a mentor for their advice, praise a team member for their hard work, or highlight a company doing innovative things. This act of public recognition strengthens professional bonds and builds a reputation for being a supportive and collaborative member of the community.
• It Adds Credibility: Mentioning an industry expert or a well-regarded company in your post adds a layer of authority and context. It shows you're engaged with the key players and conversations happening in your field, which enhances your own professional standing.

How to Tag a Person in a LinkedIn Post (Step-by-Step)

Tagging an individual connection or another professional on LinkedIn is straightforward whether you’re on a computer or your phone. Here’s how to do it.

On Desktop:

1. Start creating a new post from your LinkedIn homepage.
2. In the text editor, type the "@" symbol.
3. Immediately after the "@" symbol, begin typing the person's name without a space. For example, "@JaneDoe".
4. As you type, a dropdown menu will appear with a list of suggestions from your network and beyond.
5. Find the correct person in the list and click their name to select them. Their name will appear in bold blue text in your post, confirming the tag is active.
6. If you tag the wrong person, simply use the backspace key to delete their name and start over with the "@" symbol.

On the Mobile App (iOS and Android):

1. Tap the "Post" button at the bottom of the screen.
2. In the compose box, type the "@" symbol.
3. Begin typing the name of the person you want to tag.
4. A list of suggested connections will pop up from the bottom of the screen.
5. Scroll through the list or continue typing to narrow down the options. Tap the correct name to add the tag to your post.
6. Just like on desktop, the name will be highlighted in bold, solidifying the tag.

How to Tag a Company Page in a LinkedIn Post

Tagging a company page follows the exact same process as tagging a person. It’s an excellent way to mention your employer, a client, a partner company, or a business you admire.

1. From the post editor on desktop or mobile, type the "@" symbol.
2. Start typing the company's name. Remember to be specific, as many companies have similar names.
3. A list of company pages matching what you've typed will appear in the dropdown menu.
4. Look for the correct company page – it will usually have its logo next to the name – and select it.
5. The company's name will appear bolded in your post, indicating a successful tag. This allows your audience to click directly through to that company’s LinkedIn page.

Pro Tip: Sometimes a common name can pull up lots of profiles. If you’re struggling to find the right person or company, try typing a more unique part of their name or title. Typing their full name usually works best.

The Art of Strategic Tagging: Best Practices to Follow

Knowing how to tag is only half the battle. Knowing when and why to tag is what separates spam from savvy social media marketing. Using tags thoughtfully can elevate your content, while using them poorly can damage your reputation.

Only Tag People Who Are Relevant

This is the golden rule of tagging. A tag is a direct notification, an electronic tap on the shoulder. Don’t tag people just to get their attention if they have nothing to do with your post. Ask yourself:

• Is this person mentioned in the article I’m sharing?
• Did I quote this person or use their idea?
• Were they at the event I'm posting about?
• Is this post a direct response to a question they asked?

If the answer is yes, tag away! If not, reconsider. Tagging a list of popular influencers in a post about your new product launch just because you want them to see it is considered spammy and is a quick way to get ignored or even blocked.

Give Credit and Show Appreciation

One of the best uses of tagging is to publicly acknowledge others.

• For Collaborators: If you worked on a project with a team, tag every team member and their company. It’s a great way to share the spotlight. Example: "Thrilled to launch our new report on Q4 marketing trends! This was a massive team effort, thanks to the incredible insights from @JaneDoe, @JohnSmith, and the whole team at @CompanyName."
• For Inspiration: If an author's post or a speaker's presentation inspired your thinking, let them know! Example: "Just read a fantastic article by @ExpertName that breaks down the new AI regulations. It got me thinking about the impact on small businesses..."

Tag to Ask a Question or Prompt a Discussion

If you genuinely want someone's opinion on a topic, tagging can be a great way to invite them into a relevant discussion. This works best when you already have some form of connection with the person.

Example: "We're debating the best approach for customer retention in 2024. I know @IndustryLeader has shared some amazing thoughts on this. Curious to know your take on prioritizing personalization vs. speed of service."

This approach feels authentic because it's specific and respectful. You're showing you value their expertise, not just trying to ride their coattails.

Don't Go Overboard: The Right Number of Tags

While there isn’t a strict limit on the number of tags you can use, a post full of highlighted names looks crowded and can feel desperate. The algorithm – and human readers – can interpret it as spam.

A good rule of thumb is to limit your tags to 3–5 highly relevant people or companies per post. If you feel the need to tag more, ask yourself if each one is truly essential to the post. Sometimes, you can achieve the same goal by mentioning groups or teams generally. For example, instead of tagging 20 people from an event, tag the key speakers and the event host's company page.

Consider Tagging in the Comments

Here’s a popular strategy if you want to involve more people without cluttering your main post. Publish your post with one or two essential tags (or none at all). Then, be the first person to comment on your post and add more tags there.

Example Comment: "Tagging a few people who might find this debate on remote work trends interesting: @ManagerName, @FormerColleague, what are your thoughts?"

This keeps the main post clean and focuses the notifications on a specific follow-up question. It feels more like continuing a conversation than making a broadcast announcement.

Common Tagging Mistakes to Avoid

Learning what not to do is just as important as the best practices. Avoid these missteps to keep your professional reputation intact.

1. Tagging People You Don't Know

Tagging high-profile figures like Bill Gates or Richard Branson in your posts is almost always a wasted effort. They receive thousands of notifications and won't see yours. More importantly, it looks like you're trying to game the system for reach, which can devalue your message with your actual audience.

2. Irrelevant Bulk Tagging

This is the most common and damaging mistake. Creating a beautiful post about your company's culture and then tagging a random list of 50 connections just to get views is a fast track to being unfollowed. People notice when a tag isn’t relevant, and it’s a violation of professional etiquette. Focus on relevance, not volume.

3. Tagging Without Context

Don't just add a person's tag to your post without explaining why they're there. Give them a reason for being included. Instead of just "@JaneDoe," try "Great insight from @JaneDoe on this topic." Context makes the tag feel meaningful instead of random.

4. Not Verifying the Tag

John Smith is a common name. Before you hit "post," double-check that you've selected the right John Smith from the dropdown list. Tagging the wrong person is embarrassing for you and annoying for them. Click the tag to make sure it leads to the correct profile before finalizing your post.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the art of tagging on LinkedIn is about understanding that it's a tool for community building, not just for visibility. Used with relevance, respect, and clear purpose, it can transform a simple post into a networking opportunity that strengthens relationships and amplifies your voice.

Managing a consistent posting schedule that incorporates thoughtful strategies like tagging is so much simpler with the right foundation. At Postbase, we designed our platform to remove the friction from social media management. With our visual content calendar, you can plan and lay out your LinkedIn posts weeks in advance, making it easy to see where you can strategically tag collaborators, give shout-outs, and start conversations. It's built for how marketing actually works today – simply, visually, and without the headaches.