How to Tag a Location on Facebook

Tagging your location on Facebook posts might seem like a minor detail, but it's one of the easiest ways to boost your content's visibility and connect with a local audience. This guide walks you through every method for adding a location - from standard posts and Reels to creating a new custom location for your business. We'll also cover why this simple step is a powerful tool for growing your brand or personal profile.

The Basics: How to Tag a Location in a New Facebook Post

This is the most common way to add a location, known as a "check-in." The process is slightly different depending on whether you're on a mobile device or a desktop computer.

On a Mobile Device (iOS & Android)

Most content is posted from phones, so let’s start here. The steps are nearly identical for iPhone and Android users on the Facebook app.

• Step 1: Open the Facebook app and tap "What's on your mind?" at the top of your News Feed to create a new post.
• Step 2: Write your caption, add your photo or video, and then look for the options at the bottom of the composer.
• Step 3: Tap the “Check in” button (it looks like a red map pin icon).
• Step 4: Facebook will suggest nearby locations based on your phone’s GPS. If you see the right one, just tap it. If not, start typing the name of the place in the search bar.
• Step 5: Select your desired location from the list that appears. You’ll be returned to your post composer, where you'll now see the location tag (e.g., “at Main Street Coffee”) added.
• Step 6: Finish your post and tap "Post."

On a Desktop Computer

Posting from your browser offers a similar, straightforward process.

• Step 1: Go to Facebook.com and click the "What's on your mind?" box at the top of your Feed.
• Step 2: In the "Create Post" pop-up window, add your text, photo, or video.
• Step 3: Click the gray map pin icon labeled "Check in."
• Step 4: Start typing the name of an establishment, landmark, or city in the search bar. A list of suggestions will appear.
• Step 5: Click on your chosen location to add it to your post.
• Step 6: Click "Post." Your update will now appear with the location tagged.

Leveling Up: Locations in Stories and Reels

Location tagging isn’t just for feed posts. It's a huge interactive element for modern content formats like Stories and Reels, making them more discoverable.

Adding a Location Sticker to Your Facebook Story

Stories are designed to be immediate and engaging, and a location sticker plays perfectly into that feel. It gives context and lets viewers explore other content from that same spot.

1. Create a Story by tapping the "+" button on the Stories section at the top of your feed and selecting "Story."
2. Take a photo, record a video, or upload one from your camera roll.
3. Once your media fills the screen, tap the Sticker icon (it looks like a square with a happy face) in the top-right corner.
4. From the sticker options, tap the "Location" sticker.
5. A list of nearby places will pop up. Select your location or search for it.
6. The sticker will be added to your Story. You can tap it to change its color style. You can also pinch to resize it and drag it anywhere on the screen.
7. Share your story! Viewers can now tap on that sticker to see a map and other public posts and Stories from that location.

Adding a Location to a Facebook Reel

Since Reels are Facebook’s answer to TikTok, discoverability is everything. Adding a location helps the algorithm show your Reel to people in and around that area, which is great for local businesses or travel content creators.

Unlike Stories, you don't add the location during the "editing" phase. It happens right before you hit publish.

1. Record or upload your video clips in the Facebook Reels creator.
2. Add your music, text, and other effects. Tap "Next" when you’re done editing.
3. You’ll land on the final "Share Reel" screen. Here, you’ll write your caption and choose your settings.
4. Below the caption box, you’ll see an option for "Location." Tap it.
5. Search for and select the location you want to tag.
6. The location will be added to your Reel. Now you can tap "Share now" to publish it.

The Fix-It Feature: Adding a Location to an Existing Post

Ever publish a post and realize you forgot to add the location? You don’t have to delete it and start over. You can easily edit it in afterwards.

• Step 1: Find the post on your profile or page that you want to edit.
• Step 2: Click the three-dot menu icon (...) in the top-right corner of the post.
• Step 3: From the dropdown menu, select "Edit post."
• Step 4: The post composer window will reappear. Below your text and media, click the "Check in" map pin icon (on desktop) or tap the "Check in" option (on mobile).
• Step 5: Search for and select your location.
• Step 6: Click "Save." Facebook will update your original post with the new location tag, leaving your likes and comments intact.

What if My Location Doesn't Exist? Creating a New Place

This is an incredibly valuable step for new businesses waiting to get their brick-and-mortar spot on the digital map. If you've been searching for your storefront, office, or event space and can't find it, you can create it yourself. Note: you must do this from the Facebook mobile app, as the ability to create locations has been largely removed from the desktop experience.

1. Open the Facebook app and start a new post with the "What's on your mind?" field.
2. Tap the "Check in" button.
3. In the location search bar, type the exact name of the custom location you want to create (e.g., "Sarah’s Seaside Art Studio").
4. Scroll to the very bottom of the search results. If the name is unique, you should see an option that says “Add [Your New Location Name].” Tap on it.
5. You’ll be taken to the "Create Place" page. Here you'll need to choose an accurate category for your location (e.g., "Art Gallery," "Restaurant," "Event Venue").
6. Next, you'll be prompted to input the physical address. Be as precise as possible.
7. After confirming the details, tap "Save" or "Done" to submit your new place.

Remember, this new location is now a user-generated place on Facebook. For a business, the next step is to search for it once it’s approved and then you can claim the location as your own, which merges it into an official Facebook Business Page.

Why Location Tagging is a Game-Changer for Visibility and Engagement

So, you’ve learned the "how," but the "why" is what turns this simple action into a smart marketing strategy. Adding a location isn’t just for telling people where you are - it’s a powerful tool with tangible benefits.

Boosts Your Discoverability

When you tag a location, your post becomes part of a larger, public-facing collection. Anyone who clicks on that location tag - from a friend’s post or a local search - will see a feed of all public content tagged there. If you're a cafe, an artist at a market, or a realtor showing a house, this places your content directly in front of an audience that's already interested in that specific place.

Encourages User-Generated Content (UGC)

For businesses, having a clear and correct location tag makes it easy for customers to check in. Every time a customer posts a glowing photo of your coffee, tagged at your location, they're creating powerful social proof for you. This UGC is incredibly authentic and builds trust with potential new customers who see their friends visiting your spot.

Builds Local Community and Authority

Consistently tagging your business location reinforces your connection to the local area. Over time, it helps establish you as a go-to spot in your neighborhood. When local users see you actively engaged in the community, whether at your own store or at a local farmers market, it strengthens your local brand presence.

Drives Real-World Foot Traffic

A location tag functions as a subtle call to action. It shows people that your online brand has a physical presence they can visit. When they see a product, a service, or an event a few miles away, they're much more likely to step away from their phone and walk through your door.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, tagging a location on Facebook is about much more than just sharing where you are. It’s an essential practice for increasing reach, engaging with local audiences, and making your content more discoverable across posts, Stories, and Reels. Whether for personal use or business growth, making location tagging a habit is a small effort that yields big results.

We know that getting your social media strategy right comes down to all these small, consistent details. That's why at Postbase, we built our visual calendar to give you a clear overview of your content plan, making sure important steps like location tagging on a new Reel never get missed. Since a lot happens on video these days, we designed our platform to handle modern formats like Reels and Shorts seamlessly, so you can manage a more connected marketing strategy all in one organized and stress-free place.