- How to add a location before you share a post or reel
- How to add a location to a post you've already shared
- How to change or remove a location
- How to add a location to an Instagram story
- Why no locations come up
- Location tag vs sharing your live location
- Does a location tag show my post to strangers?
- My take
- Frequently asked questions
To add a location on Instagram, tap Add location on the final screen before you share a post or reel, pick a place from the suggestions or search for it, then tap Share. You can also add, change or remove a location later through Options and Edit on the post itself.
Here's the bit people miss: a location tag puts your post on that place's page on the Instagram map, but only people who can already see your account will see it there. Private stays private.
Below are the steps for posts before and after you share them, stories, what to do when no locations come up, and how this differs from sharing your live location. All of it comes from Instagram's Help Center, read in October 2026.
How to add a location before you share a post or reel
- Create your post or reel as usual and go to the last screen, where you write the caption.
- Tap Add location.
- Find your place in the suggestions, or search for it and select it.
- Tap Share.
Instagram also lets you use a public Facebook event as the location. Tap the event name later and you'll see all the photos and videos shared publicly at that event, the same way a place page works.
How to add a location to a post you've already shared
- Open the post and tap Options above your photo or video.
- Tap Edit.
- Below your username, tap Add Location and enter the place.
- Tap Done to save.
This is useful if you posted in a rush and forgot, or if you're tidying up older posts for a local business. Nothing else about the post changes.
How to change or remove a location
- Tap Options above the post, then Edit.
- Tap the location name, then Edit location.
- Choose Change Location to enter a new one, or Remove Location to take it off.
- Tap Done.
On the desktop site it's the same idea: Options, Edit, then Add Location or Remove.
How to add a location to an Instagram story
Stories use a sticker rather than a field. Open the story camera, take or choose your photo or video, tap the sticker icon and pick Location from the tray. Instagram lists Location among its standard story stickers alongside Mention, Hashtag, Poll and the rest.
The location you tag works the same way as on a post: when people tap it, they can see your content and other content tagged at the same place on the Instagram map, as far as your privacy setting allows.
Two caveats from Instagram itself: not every sticker is available to everyone or on reels, and its sticker page says the feature may be unavailable in Japan and in European countries. If Location is missing from your tray, update the app first.
Why no locations come up
If you tap Add location and the list is empty, Instagram's answer is simple: location access for the Instagram app is probably off in your phone settings. Leave Instagram, open your phone's settings, find Instagram and allow location, then try again.
If you've deliberately switched location off and want to keep it that way, try searching for the place by name instead of relying on suggestions. The suggestions are what need location access, because they're based on where your phone thinks you are.
New to posting? My walkthrough on how to post on Instagram shows where the Add location field sits on the caption screen.
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Location tag vs sharing your live location
These are two different features, and mixing them up worries people unnecessarily.
| Feature | What it shows | Who sees it |
|---|---|---|
| Location tag on a post or reel | The place you chose for that post | Anyone who can see your posts; it also appears on that place's page |
| Location sticker on a story | The place you chose for that story | Whoever can see your story |
| Sharing on the Instagram map | Your current location, updated when you open the app | Only accounts you pick, and only ones that follow you back |
Instagram says map sharing is off by default, and your shared location disappears if you haven't opened or returned to the app within 24 hours. A location tag on a post does none of that. It's a label you choose, not a tracker.
Does a location tag show my post to strangers?
It depends on your account type. Instagram's public versus private comparison says photos and videos from a private account don't appear in search results, Explore, or hashtag and location pages for anyone. On a public account they can appear there for anyone on Instagram.
So if you're a business that wants to be found locally, public plus a location tag is the combination that works. If you're a private person, the tag only shows your followers where you were.
My take
For local businesses, tagging your shop or venue is one of the easiest habits to build: it costs nothing and puts you on a page people browse when they're deciding where to go. For personal accounts, tag after you've left, not while you're still there. If you post a lot of stories, it's also worth knowing how to hide your Instagram story from specific people.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add a location to an Instagram post after posting?
Yes. Tap Options above the post, tap Edit, tap Add Location below your username, enter the place and tap Done.
Why can't I add a location on Instagram?
Instagram says the most likely reason is that location access for the Instagram app is turned off in your phone settings. Turn it on in your device settings and try again.
Can I use a Facebook event as my Instagram location?
Yes. Instagram lets you use a public Facebook event as a location, and tapping the event name shows the photos and videos shared publicly at it.
Do location tags on a private account show on the location page?
No. Instagram says posts from a private account don't appear in search results, Explore, or hashtag and location pages for anyone.
Is adding a location the same as sharing my location on the Instagram map?
No. A location tag is a place you choose for one post or story. The Instagram map shares your current location with accounts you pick, it's off by default, and it disappears if you haven't opened the app within 24 hours.
