How to Turn On Tags on Instagram

Getting your content seen and shared on Instagram often comes down to one powerful tool: tags. But turning on tags isn't just a single setting, it's about understanding how to use, manage, and approve different types of tags to boost your reach and build your community. This guide will walk you through exactly how to control your tagging settings, properly tag others, and even unlock advanced features like product tags to grow your brand.

First Things First: What Are Instagram Tags?

Before we get into the "how-to," it’s important to know the different kinds of tags you'll encounter on Instagram. Each serves a unique purpose for discoverability and connection.

• @Mentions (People Tags): This is the most common type. When you tag a user's handle (e.g., @postbase) in a photo, video, Reel, Story, or caption, you create a direct link to their profile, and they receive a notification. The tagged content also appears in the "Tagged" section of their profile unless they hide it.
• Product Tags: A game-changer for e-commerce brands and creators. These tags allow you to add a clickable shopping link directly onto your posts for products in your catalog, creating a seamless path to purchase.
• Collaboration Tags: When you co-author a post with another account, you can use the "Invite Collaborator" feature. The post will appear on both of your profiles simultaneously, sharing the likes, comments, and engagement.
• Location Tags: By geotagging your post, you connect it to a physical place. This helps users searching for that location discover your content, making it great for local businesses and travel content.

How to Control Who Can Tag You (The Real "On" Switch)

If you're looking for the setting that gives you full control over what appears on your profile, it’s the Manually Approve Tags feature. This is essentially the master "on switch" for managing your public presence. When this is enabled, tagged photos and videos won't appear on your profile until you personally approve them.

Here’s how to turn it on:

1. Navigate to your Instagram profile and tap the three horizontal lines (the "hamburger menu") in the top right corner.
2. Select Settings and privacy.
3. Scroll down to the "How others can interact with you" section and tap on Tags and mentions.
4. Under the "How you manage tags" section, tap on Manually approve tags.
5. Toggle the switch for Manually approve tags to the "on" position (it will turn blue).

Once enabled, you’ll find a "Pending tags" section where you can review any content you've been tagged in before it goes public on your profile. This is the best way to prevent spam or unwanted content from being associated with your brand.

The Basics: How to Tag People in Your Instagram Content

Now that you know how to control the tags on your own profile, let's look at how to properly tag other accounts in your content to foster collaboration and increase visibility.

Tagging in a New Feed Post (Photo, Video, or Reel)

You can tag accounts either directly on the media or in the caption.

• Tagging on the Media: This is best for directly calling out people or brands featured in the visual content.
  1. Create your post as you normally would, choosing your photo or video and applying filters.
  2. On the final screen before publishing (where you write your caption), tap Tag people.
  3. Tap anywhere on the photo or video and begin typing the username of the account you wish to tag. Select it from the list that appears.
  4. Repeat for up to 20 accounts, then tap Done.
• Tagging in the Caption (@mention): This is a more conversational way to tag. Simply type the "@" symbol followed by the username in your caption. The user will still get a notification.

Tagging Someone in an Existing Post

Forgot to tag someone? No problem. You can easily add tags after a post has been published.

1. Go to the post you want to edit.
2. Tap the three dots (...) in the top right corner of your post.
3. Select Edit.
4. You'll see a Tag people icon (usually a small silhouette icon) on the bottom left of your photo or video. Tap it.
5. Tap the screen to add new tags, and then tap Done to save.

Pro Tip: This is also where you can remove a tag if you tagged the wrong account. Simply tap a tag and tap the 'X' to delete it.

Using @mentions in Instagram Stories

Tagging in Stories is an excellent engagement tactic. It encourages the tagged user to re-share your Story to their own audience, instantly amplifying your reach.

1. Create a new Story by selecting a photo, video, or using the "Create" mode.
2. Tap the Sticker icon at the top of the screen.
3. Select the @MENTION sticker.
4. Start typing the username and select the correct account.
5. You can then drag, resize, and rotate the sticker or tap it to cycle through different color styles.

Level Up: How to Turn On & Use Product Tags

For brands and creators with products to sell, enabling product tags is a must. It transforms your Instagram profile into a virtual storefront. To do this, you need to set up Instagram Shopping.

Eligibility and Setup Requirements

Before you can begin, your account must meet a few criteria:

• Be a professional account (Business or Creator).
• Have a connected Facebook Page.
• Primarily sell physical goods.
• Be located in a supported market.
• Adhere to Meta’s Commerce Policies.

Steps to Enable Product Tagging

1. Set up Your Catalog: You need a product catalog connected to your account. You can create one through Facebook Business Manager's Commerce Manager or integrate with a certified e-commerce platform partner like Shopify or BigCommerce.
2. Submit for Review: Once your catalog is connected, you can submit your account for review. Go to your Professional dashboard, tap on Set Up Instagram Shopping, and follow the prompts. The review process can take a few days.
3. Turn On Shopping: After your account is approved, you'll receive a notification. Go to Settings and privacy -> Creator tools and controls (or Business tools and controls) -> Shopping. Select the product catalog you want to connect to your profile.

How to Tag Products in a Post

Once you’re approved, a new option will appear when you create a post.

1. On the final Edit screen (where you write your caption), tap Tag products.
2. Tap the photo where you want the tag to appear.
3. Search for the product from your catalog and select it.
4. Tap Done and share your post. Your photo will now have a small shopping bag icon, and users can tap it to see pricing and purchase.

Smart and Strategic Tagging Best Practices

Knowing how to tag is only half the battle. Knowing why and when is what makes it a powerful growth tool.

1. Tag with Intention and Relevance

Avoid spam tagging. Only tag accounts that are directly featured in your photo, involved in the content's creation, or genuinely relevant to the post. Tagging big, irrelevant accounts in the hopes of being seen is a poor practice that can get you flagged.

2. Amplify User-Generated Content (UGC)

When a happy customer posts about your product or service, share it! Reposting their content to your Feed or Stories and tagging them is a fantastic way to build social proof and show appreciation for your community.

3. Credit and Collaborate

Always tag photographers, makeup artists, brands you’re wearing, or collaborators involved in creating your post. Not only is it good etiquette, but it expands your reach to their audiences and strengthens your industry relationships. Using the "Invite Collaborator" feature is even better for true partnerships.

4. Use Location Tags for Hyper-Local Discovery

Don't forget about geotags! If you run a coffee shop, restaurant, local boutique, or service-based business, tagging your location on every post is an easy win. Users exploring your city can discover your business through the location page.

Final Thoughts

Mastering Instagram tags is about taking control of your online presence - from deciding what appears on your profile to leveraging every post as a tool for connection and growth. By implementing manual approvals, using product tags properly, and following best practices, you can turn a simple @mention into a powerful asset for your brand.

Putting together a thoughtful content strategy - complete with the right captions, tags, and scheduling times - can feel like a full-time job. At Postbase, we built our tool to solve that exact problem. By streamlining everything into a visual calendar, from short-form videos to photo carousels, we make planning and scheduling your content simple. It lets you focus on creating great stuff and making those connections, knowing your content will go live exactly as planned, tags and all.