How to Tag People on Facebook After Posting

Hit 'Publish' on a Facebook post only to realize you forgot to tag a key person or brand? It happens to everyone, and that moment of panic is all too familiar. The good news is that it’s an incredibly easy fix. This guide walks you through exactly how to tag people on Facebook after posting, covering everything from standard posts and photos to troubleshooting why a tag might not be working.

How to Tag People or Pages in a Facebook Post After Posting

Whether you're on a computer or your phone, editing a post to add a tag follows nearly the same process. It's a quick correction that ensures the right people see your content and get the notification they were meant to receive.

On a Desktop Computer (Web Browser)

Editing a published post from your desktop is straightforward. The interface is spacious, making it easy to spot the options you need.

Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:

1. Find Your Post: Go to your Facebook profile or Page and scroll to the post you want to edit.
2. Access the Edit Menu: In the top-right corner of the post box, you'll see three horizontal dots (...). Click on them. This opens a drop-down menu with several options.
3. Select "Edit post": From the menu, choose the "Edit post" (or "Edit caption" for photos/videos) option. This will reopen the composer window with your original text and media.
4. Add Your Tag: Place your cursor where you want to add the tag in the text. Type the "@" symbol, and immediately begin typing the name of the person or Page you want to tag. A list of suggestions will pop up.
5. Choose the Correct Profile/Page: Select the correct account from the list. The name will turn into a blue, clickable link, confirming the tag is active. You can add multiple tags in the same edit.
6. Save Your Changes: Once you've added all your tags, click the blue "Save" button. The post will update instantly, and the people or Pages you tagged will receive a notification. The post will also now show a small "Edited" note, which is visible to others.

On the Facebook Mobile App (iOS and Android)

Tagging someone from your phone is just as simple. The icons and menus are slightly different from the desktop version, but the core steps remain the same.

1. Find the Post: Open the Facebook app and navigate to your profile or Page. Find the post that needs the new tag.
2. Open the Menu: Tap the three horizontal dots (...) located in the top-right corner of the post.
3. Choose "Edit Post": A menu will appear from the bottom of the screen. Tap on "Edit Post" to open the editing view.
4. Type the Tag: In the text editor, find the spot for your tag. Type the "@" symbol followed by the name of the person or Page. As you type, a list of matching profiles will appear.
5. Select the Account: Tap on the correct person or Page from the list to insert the tag. It will become a blue link in the text.
6. Save: Tap the "Save" button in the top-right corner. The post is now updated, and the notifications have been sent.

Adding a tag after the fact is a valuable feature for giving credit, notifying partners of a new post, or simply looping a friend into a conversation you wanted them to see.

Tagging People in Photos After They've Been Posted

Sometimes you don't need to add a tag to the caption, but to the photo itself. This allows you to identify specific people within the image. This process is different from editing the post's text. You are editing the tags on the image itself, not the descriptive text accompanying it.

How to Tag a Photo After Posting:

1. Open the Photo: Find the post containing the photo and click on the image itself to open it in the full-screen photo viewer.
2. Find the "Tag Photo" Option: Look for the "Tag Photo" icon. On a desktop, it often looks like a small price tag icon and appears in the menu on the right or at the bottom of the photo. On mobile, you might need to tap the screen once to make the options appear, then tap the tag icon.
3. Click and Tag: Once you're in tagging mode, simply click on the face or part of the photo where you want to place the tag. A text box will appear.
4. Type the Name: Start typing the person's name. A drop-down menu with your friends list will appear. Select the correct person.
5. Finish Tagging: Repeat the process for anyone else in the photo. Once done, click "Done Tagging" or a similar confirmation button. The people tagged will get a notification that they've been tagged in your photo.

Note: Privacy settings apply here, too. If someone doesn't allow others to tag them in photos, you won't be able to add the tag.

Addressing Common Tagging Problems: "Why Can't I Tag Someone?"

Have you ever typed "@" followed by a name, only for the correct profile to never appear? It’s a common frustration, and there are usually a few clear reasons behind it.

1. Privacy Settings are Blocking You

This is the most common reason. Facebook gives users granular control over who can tag them. A person can set their privacy settings to review all tags before they appear on their profile, or even prevent people they aren't friends with from tagging them at all.

• The Fix: Unfortunately, there's no direct workaround for this. The user has intentionally set these preferences. If it's important for them to be tagged, you can send them a direct message asking them to either check their tag requests or temporarily adjust their settings.

2. You Aren't Connected to the Person

For personal profiles, you generally need to be friends with someone to tag them. If you're not, their name might not show up in the suggestion list, especially if they have stricter privacy settings.

• The Fix: If you know the person, send them a friend request. If not, this is another instance where you may not be able to tag them.

3. Account or Page Restrictions

Some Facebook Pages have restrictions based on age or location. If your profile or Page doesn't meet their criteria, you won't be able to see or interact with them, which includes tagging.

• The Fix: There is no fix for this, as these restrictions are set by the Page admin for specific reasons (e.g., alcohol brands are age-restricted).

4. Simple Spelling Mistakes

Sometimes the answer is the most obvious one. You might be misspelling the person’s or Page’s name. For Pages in particular, make sure you're typing their official Page name, not a common abbreviation or previous name.

• The Fix: Go to their profile or Page directly to confirm the exact spelling and name. Copy and paste it if necessary.

5. Using the "@" Mention in Comments as an Alternative

If you're unable to edit the post caption or are having trouble with the tag feature, a very effective alternative is to simply add a comment and tag the person there. Just type "@" followed by their name in the comment section. They will still receive a notification and be linked to the conversation.

Best Practices for Tagging on Facebook (Especially for Brands)

For brands, creators, and marketers, tagging is a strategic tool, not just a social feature. When used correctly, it can amplify reach, build relationships, and foster community. When used poorly, it can come across as spammy and hurt your brand image.

1. Always Prioritize Relevance

Only tag people or Pages that are directly relevant to your post. This includes:

• People in the photo or video.
• Collaborators, partners, or sponsors involved in the project or event.
• The author of an article you're sharing.
• A customer whose user-generated content (UGC) you're resharing (with their permission).

Never tag dozens of unrelated accounts just to grab their attention. It’s a surefire way to get yourself unfollowed, blocked, or even reported.

2. Get Permission When Promoting

If you're tagging a user, influencer, or partner in a heavily promotional post, it's always best practice to have their consent beforehand. An unexpected tag in an ad can feel disingenuous to their audience and can potentially damage your relationship with them.

3. Use Tagging to Give Credit and Build Community

Featuring UGC is one of the most powerful forms of social proof. When a customer posts about your product, ask for their permission to reshare it on your Page. When you do, tag their personal profile or business page in both the caption and the photo. This gives them a powerful shout-out and shows your audience that you value your community.

Example: A local coffee shop reposts a customer's photo of their latte art.
"Monday mornings just hit different with a beautiful view like this! 🤩 Thanks for sharing this amazing shot, @JaneSmithCreative! We love seeing our coffee out in the wild."

4. Amplify Event and Collaboration Reach

Tagging is essential when promoting events or collaborations. Make sure to tag all relevant partners:

• Guest speakers or performers.
• The event venue.
• Sponsors or participating brands.
• Media partners covering the event.

This encourages them to share the post with their own networks, instantly expanding your reach to a warm, relevant audience.

Final Thoughts

Adding a tag on Facebook after you've already published is a simple fix that only takes a moment, whether you're editing a caption, tagging a photo directly, or dropping a mention in the comments. Knowing these quick steps helps you ensure the right people see your content, get proper credit, and stay connected with your brand.

Planning content in advance is the best way to make sure these small but important details - like getting all the tags right the first time - don't slip through the cracks. We built Postbase with a visual calendar that helps us map out our entire content strategy. Being able to see everything laid out in one place prevents that last-minute rush and lets us double-check that every post is perfect before it goes live, avoiding the need for those post-publish edits altogether.