How to Add Location Tags to Your Instagram Photos and Videos
Location tagging on Instagram has become a popular feature for both casual users and businesses. Adding a location tag not only helps you inform your followers where you are but also increases the discoverability of your posts. By tagging locations, your photos and videos can appear in location-based searches, allowing more people to see your content, engage with it, and follow your account.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through how to add location tags to your Instagram photos and videos, the benefits of using location tags, and how they can boost your visibility on the platform.
What Are Location Tags on Instagram?
A location tag (or geotag) is a feature that allows users to tag the specific location where a photo or video was taken. When you add a location to a post, that post will be grouped with other photos and videos shared by other users in the same location, giving it more exposure.
For example, if you tag a popular location like “Eiffel Tower,” your photo will be added to the feed of other posts tagged with that location, which can help more users discover your content.
Why You Should Use Location Tags
Using location tags can benefit your Instagram posts in several ways:
- Increased Discoverability: Your post appears in the location’s search results, allowing users who are interested in that place to find your content.
- Boost Engagement: Posts with location tags often receive more likes, comments, and views, as they are more likely to be discovered by a wider audience.
- Building Local Connections: Location tags are especially useful for businesses or influencers who want to connect with local audiences or promote a specific area, event, or venue.
- Establishing Relevance: If you’re attending events, traveling, or promoting a business, adding a location tag makes your content more relevant to the occasion and helps your followers know where you are.
Now that you understand the importance of location tags, let’s get into the step-by-step process of adding them to your Instagram photos and videos.
How to Add Location Tags to Instagram Photos and Videos
There are multiple ways to add location tags on Instagram, depending on whether you’re posting a new photo or video or editing an existing post. We’ll cover both scenarios here.
Adding a Location Tag to a New Post
When creating a new Instagram post (either a photo or video), you can easily add a location tag during the publishing process. Here’s how:
- Open the Instagram App
Launch the Instagram app on your mobile device and log in to your account if you haven’t already. - Tap the Plus Icon to Create a Post
Tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom center of your screen. This will open the media library on your device. - Select a Photo or Video
Choose the photo or video you want to upload from your camera roll or media gallery. After selecting, tap Next. - Edit Your Post
Instagram will now prompt you to edit the photo or video. You can apply filters, crop the image, or adjust its brightness, contrast, and saturation. Once you’re satisfied, tap Next again. - Add a Caption and Location
After editing, you’ll reach the final screen before posting. Here, you’ll have several options, including adding a caption, tagging people, and adding a location.- Tap the “Add Location” option located just below the caption box.
- A search bar will appear, allowing you to type in the location you want to tag. You can choose from nearby places or manually search for a specific location.
- Select the correct location from the dropdown list that appears after typing.
- Publish Your Post
Once you’ve added the location tag, tap Share to post your photo or video to your feed. The location you tagged will now appear above your post’s image, right under your username.
Adding a Location Tag to an Existing Post
If you forgot to add a location tag when you originally posted your photo or video, don’t worry—you can still add one later by editing the post. Here’s how:
- Go to Your Profile
Open the Instagram app and navigate to your profile by tapping the profile icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. - Select the Post You Want to Edit
Scroll through your feed and select the photo or video to which you want to add a location tag. - Tap the Three Dots
In the top right corner of the post, tap the three dots (•••) icon to open a menu of options. - Select Edit
Tap the Edit option from the dropdown menu. - Add Location
Below your username, you’ll see the option to “Add Location”. Tap this to open the location search bar. - Search and Select a Location
Just like when adding a location to a new post, you can search for and select the location you want to tag. Once you’ve chosen your location, it will appear above the post. - Save Changes
After adding the location tag, tap the checkmark (✔) or Done (depending on your device) in the top right corner to save your changes. The location will now be visible on your post.
Adding Location Tags to Instagram Stories
In addition to posts, you can also add location tags to your Instagram Stories. This helps your Stories reach a broader audience and allows users interested in a specific location to discover your content.
Here’s how to add a location tag to your Instagram Story:
- Create a New Story
Open the Instagram app and swipe right to access the Story creation screen, or tap the Your Story icon at the top of your feed. - Capture or Upload a Photo/Video
Take a new photo or video using the Instagram camera, or swipe up to upload content from your gallery. - Tap the Sticker Icon
Once your content is ready, tap the Sticker icon (a smiley face with a corner peel) at the top of the screen. - Select the Location Sticker
In the stickers menu, tap the Location sticker. A search bar will appear where you can type in the location you want to tag. - Choose a Location
Select the correct location from the list of nearby places or search for a specific location. Once selected, the location tag will appear on your Story. - Customize the Location Tag
You can move the location sticker around by dragging it on the screen, resize it by pinching, or tap it to change its color and style. - Share Your Story
When you’re ready, tap Your Story or Close Friends to share the Story with your followers. The location tag will be visible, and users can tap it to see other Stories or posts tagged with the same location.
Removing or Changing a Location Tag
If you made a mistake or simply want to remove or change a location tag, you can do so easily by editing the post.
- For Photos or Videos in Your Feed: Go to your profile, select the post, tap the three dots, and choose Edit. You can tap on the location to remove it or change it by selecting a different one.
- For Instagram Stories: Unfortunately, once a Story is posted, you can’t edit or remove the location tag. However, the Story will disappear after 24 hours, and you can always create a new one without the location.
Best Practices for Using Location Tags on Instagram
Now that you know how to add location tags to your photos, videos, and Stories, let’s explore some best practices to help you get the most out of this feature.
1. Be Specific with Locations
When possible, tag the exact location where the photo or video was taken. For example, if you’re at a specific restaurant, tag the restaurant’s name rather than just the city or neighborhood. This will make your post more relevant to people searching for that specific spot.
2. Use Popular Locations
If you’re visiting a well-known landmark, event, or venue, tagging it can expose your content to a larger audience. Popular locations tend to have more people searching for them, so your post has a higher chance of being discovered by users who don’t follow you.
3. Combine Location Tags with Hashtags
To further increase the visibility of your posts, combine location tags with relevant hashtags. This will help your content appear in both location-based and hashtag-based searches, boosting your discoverability even more.
4. Location Tags for Business
If you’re using Instagram for business, consistently tagging your location can help you connect with a local audience. This is especially useful for brick-and-mortar businesses like restaurants, cafes, and retail stores. You can even create a custom location for your business so that customers can tag it in their own posts.
5. Don’t Overdo It
While location tags are beneficial, you don’t need to add them to every post or Story. Be strategic and only tag locations when it adds value to your content or helps you reach a specific audience.
How Location Tags Improve Engagement
Location tags significantly enhance the chances of your content being seen by people outside your follower base. When someone searches for or clicks on a location tag, they’re shown a collection of posts and Stories from that place. This increased visibility often leads to more engagement, including likes, comments, and follows.
For businesses, location tags can bring in local customers and travelers interested in your products or services. Influencers and content creators can also leverage location tags to get noticed by brands or other creators in the same area.
Conclusion
Adding location tags to your Instagram photos, videos, and Stories is a simple but effective way to enhance the visibility and engagement of your content. Whether you’re sharing a snapshot of your favorite café, documenting a vacation, or promoting your business, using location tags strategically can make a significant impact on your Instagram presence.
