Where to find the location feature on Instagram
Instagram lets you tag a physical location on individual posts and also set a location on your profile itself. These are two separate things: a location tag on a post shows where you were when you took the photo, while a location on your profile is permanent information about where you're based. Both use the same location database that Instagram maintains, so the places you can tag are limited to what's already in that system.
On your phone, the location option appears in the post creation screen after you've selected your photo or video. On a computer, you can add a location when you're composing a post, though the mobile app gives you more location options. If you're trying to add a location to your profile rather than a single post, that lives in your profile settings under a different menu.
Key Takeaways
- To tag a location on a post, open the photo or video you want to share, tap "Add location" in the caption area, and search for the place by name.
- If the location doesn't exist in Instagram's database, you can create a new location entry, though Instagram reviews these before they go live.
- Your profile location is separate from post locations and appears permanently on your profile page under your bio.
- Location tags on posts are visible to anyone viewing that post, but you can turn off location sharing in your privacy settings if you want to stop tagging places altogether.
Adding a location to a single post
Start by taking or selecting the photo or video you want to post. After you've chosen your image and tapped "Next," you'll see the caption screen. Below the caption box, you'll see several options including one that says "Add location." Tap that option.
A search box will appear where you can type the name of the place. Instagram will show you matching locations as you type. Tap the location you want from the list. If you see the exact place you're looking for, select it. If the location doesn't appear, you have the option to create a new location by typing the full name and tapping "Create new location." Instagram will review new locations before they become searchable by other users, so there may be a delay before your new location shows up for others.
Once you've selected or created a location, it will appear on your post. You can remove it at any time before posting by tapping the location and selecting "Remove." After you post, the location tag stays visible on that post permanently unless you delete the entire post.
Adding a location to your profile
Your profile location is different from post locations. It appears on your profile page under your username and bio, and it's the same for all your posts. To add or change it, open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
Tap "Edit profile" near your username. Scroll down until you see the "Location" field. Tap it and search for the place you want to add. Select it from the results. You can leave this field blank if you don't want a location on your profile. Tap "Done" or "Save" (the button name varies by phone) to finish.
Your profile location is visible to anyone who visits your profile, including people who don't follow you. You can change it or remove it at any time by going back to "Edit profile" and clearing the field.
What to do if your location isn't in the system
Instagram's location database includes most major cities, neighborhoods, landmarks, restaurants, and businesses, but smaller or newer places may not be there yet. If you search for a location and it doesn't appear, you can create it yourself. Type the full name of the place in the search box and look for an option that says "Create new location" or similar wording.
When you create a new location, Instagram asks for the name and sometimes an address. Fill in what you can and submit it. Instagram's system reviews new locations before they become searchable by other users, which can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. Until it's approved, only you will be able to see and use that location on your posts. If Instagram rejects your location submission, it usually means the place doesn't meet their guidelines or is too similar to an existing location.
Controlling who sees your location tags
By default, location tags on your posts are visible to anyone who views that post. If you want to stop sharing your location on posts, you can turn off location tagging in your privacy settings. Open your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), go to "Settings and privacy," then "Privacy," and look for "Location." You can toggle location sharing off entirely, which will prevent you from tagging locations on new posts.
Turning off location sharing doesn't remove location tags from posts you've already made — it only stops you from adding new ones. If you want to remove a location from an old post, you have to edit that specific post and delete the location tag. You can also make individual posts private or limit who sees them through your post privacy settings, which will hide the location tag from people who can't see the post.
Location tags on stories and reels
Instagram Stories and Reels also support location tags, and they work slightly differently than regular posts. When you're creating a Story, you can add a location sticker by swiping up and selecting "Location" from the sticker menu. Search for the place and tap it. The location will appear as a sticker on your Story that viewers can tap to see other Stories from that location.
Reels use the same location system as regular posts. When you're uploading a Reel, you'll see the "Add location" option in the caption area, just like a standard photo post. The location will be visible on the Reel itself and also searchable through Instagram's location pages. Stories disappear after 24 hours, so location tags on Stories are temporary, while location tags on Reels are permanent unless you delete the Reel.
Troubleshooting location problems
If you're having trouble adding a location, first check that you have location services turned on in your phone's settings. Go to your phone's Settings app, find "Location" or "Privacy," and make sure it's enabled. Then open Instagram and try again. If Instagram still can't find the location you're searching for, try typing just the city name or a nearby landmark instead of the exact address.
If you created a new location and it's not showing up after several days, Instagram may have rejected it. This usually happens if the name is too similar to an existing location, if it violates their guidelines, or if the place doesn't actually exist. You can try creating it again with a slightly different name, or search for a nearby existing location instead. If you're still stuck, you can post without a location tag — it's optional, and your post will work fine without one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can people find my home address if I tag my location?
No. Instagram's location tags are for neighborhoods, landmarks, restaurants, and businesses — not street addresses. Even if you tag your home neighborhood, people can't see your exact address from the tag. However, if you post photos regularly from the same location, someone could potentially figure out where you live by looking at your post history.
What happens if I delete a location tag after I've posted?
You can edit any of your posts to remove the location tag. Open the post, tap the three dots in the corner, select "Edit," and remove the location. The post will stay up, but the location tag will disappear. People who saw the post before you removed the tag may remember the location, but it won't be visible on the post anymore.
Do I have to use my real location?
Instagram doesn't verify that you're actually at the location you tag, so technically you can tag any location in the database. However, tagging a location you weren't actually at is misleading to your followers and goes against Instagram's community guidelines. It's best to tag only places where you actually took the photo or video.
Can I tag a location on someone else's post?
No. Only the person who posted the photo or video can add or remove location tags. If you want to suggest a location to someone, you'd have to ask them to edit the post themselves. The original poster has full control over what location appears on their content.
Why does Instagram say my location is "not available"?
This usually means the location you're trying to tag has been removed from Instagram's database, often because it was a duplicate or didn't meet their guidelines. Try searching for a nearby location instead, or create a new location entry if the place is legitimate and currently operating.