What Does Tagged Mean on Instagram?

Quick Answer

Tagged on Instagram means someone has linked your account to their content. When you're tagged in a post, your username appears on the image, and the post shows up in the "Tagged" tab on your profile. It's how people identify and credit others in their content.

Types of Tags on Instagram

1. Photo/Video Tags (People Tags)

The most common type. Someone taps on their photo, selects your username, and places a tag on you.

• Appears as a small label when you tap the photo
• Shows up in your profile's "Tagged" tab
• You get a notification when tagged
• Post appears in your Activity feed

For a full breakdown of Instagram post elements, see our anatomy of an Instagram post.

2. Mention Tags (@mentions)

Using @username in captions, comments, or stories.

• Creates a clickable link to your profile
• You receive a notification
• Does NOT add the post to your Tagged tab
• Works in captions, comments, stories, and Reels

3. Story Tags

Tagging someone in an Instagram Story using the @mention sticker or typing @username.

• Tagged person gets a notification
• They can reshare the story to their own story
• Tag disappears when the story expires (24 hours)

4. Product Tags

Business accounts can tag products from their Instagram Shop directly on posts.

• Shows product name and price
• Users can tap to view or buy the product
• Available for business and creator accounts

5. Location Tags (Geotags)

Tagging a geographic location on your post or story. See our full guide on geotags on Instagram.

Tag Types at a Glance

How to Tag Someone on Instagram

In a Post

1. Create your post as normal
2. On the sharing screen, tap Tag People
3. Tap on the photo where you want to place the tag
4. Search for and select the account
5. Tap Done and share

In a Story

1. Open the story creator
2. Tap the sticker icon
3. Select the @mention sticker
4. Type the username
5. Position the sticker

In a Caption or Comment

Simply type @ followed by the username. Instagram will suggest matching accounts as you type.

Managing Your Tagged Photos

View Your Tagged Photos

Go to your profile → tap the person icon tab (Tagged tab) → see all posts you're tagged in.

Remove a Tag

1. Open the tagged post
2. Tap your tag on the photo
3. Select Remove Me from Post
4. The post will no longer appear in your Tagged tab

Control Who Can Tag You

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Posts
2. Under Allow Tags From, choose:
   • Everyone,anyone can tag you
   • People You Follow,only accounts you follow
   • No One,disable tagging completely

Manually Approve Tags

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Posts
2. Turn on Manually Approve Tags
3. Tagged posts won't appear on your profile until you approve them

Why Tagging Matters

For Brands

• User-generated content,customers tag your brand in their posts
• Social proof,tagged photos show real people using your products
• Reach expansion,tags expose your brand to the tagger's audience
• Content library,tagged tab becomes a gallery of customer content
• Learn how to repost tagged content to your own feed

For Creators

• Collaboration credit,properly tag partners in joint content
• Networking,tagging brands can get their attention
• Portfolio,your tagged tab shows press and features

For Personal Accounts

• Memory sharing,tag friends in group photos
• Event documentation,tag everyone at events
• Recommendations,tag businesses you want to recommend

Tagging Best Practices

1. Always ask permission before tagging someone in potentially sensitive content
2. Tag accurately,place the tag on the actual person in the photo
3. Don't over-tag,tagging irrelevant accounts to get attention is spammy
4. Tag the right account,verify you're tagging the correct username
5. Credit creators,always tag the original creator when reposting

For location-based tagging, see our guide on how to add a location to Instagram posts.

Related Terms

• Instagram Marketing
• Geotags on Instagram
• Instagram Stories
• Content Creation
• Engagement Strategy