To mention someone in a Snapchat Story, take your snap, tap the T text tool, type @ and start typing the friend's name or username, then pick them from the list. You can also tap the sticker icon and choose the Mention (@) sticker. The person you mention gets a notification, and viewers can tap the mention to see their profile.
You don't need to know someone's exact username, as long as they're your friend. Start typing their display name after the @ and Snapchat searches your own list of friends for you. That's the quickest answer to the second question people search for, which is how to mention someone without their username.
Below are both methods, what the other person sees, who you can't mention and why, and a short table that separates a mention from a tag and from simply sending a snap. If an icon or menu name looks different in your version, open the right toolbar or search Snapchat's settings for the word mention.
Mention someone with @ in a caption
- Take a photo or video snap.
- Tap the T icon to open the text tool.
- Type the @ symbol.
- Start typing your friend's name or username. A list of matching friends appears.
- Tap the right person from the list. Their name is now part of your caption.
- Move or resize the caption if you need to, then post the snap to your Story.
The advantage of this method is that the mention sits inside your own words. You can write something natural, like "Dinner with @Sam, who ordered dessert first again", and the name becomes part of the sentence.
Keep captions short. A mention surrounded by a long paragraph is hard to read on a small screen and gets skipped.
Mention someone with the Mention sticker
- After taking your snap, tap the sticker icon on the right.
- Look for the Mention sticker marked with @. You can also use the search box at the top of the sticker screen.
- Tap it, then pick the friend you want to mention.
- Drag the sticker to a clear spot, and pinch to change its size.
- Post the snap to your Story.
The sticker is the better choice when you want the mention to stand out, for example when you're thanking someone or crediting a photo. It's visible at a glance, even to someone who doesn't read the caption.
What the other person sees
The mentioned person gets a notification telling them they've been mentioned. Depending on their settings, they can then view the Story or share it. Anyone watching your Story can tap the mention to see that person's profile.
- The mention is visible to everyone who can see that Story, not only the person named.
- Because viewers can tap through, a mention is a small introduction. Don't mention someone you wouldn't want strangers to find.
- If the Story is private, only the people on its audience list will see the mention.
This is where your audience matters. If you mention a friend in a Story for all your followers, you're pointing everyone at them. A private Story keeps the audience small, which is kinder when the mention is personal. And if you're curious about the reach of your Story afterwards, I've explained how to see who viewed your Snapchat Story.
Who you can't mention
Not everybody can be mentioned. Some people limit who can mention them through their privacy controls, and mentions work from Snapchat's own list of names, so you'll generally find friends but not people who haven't added you.
- If you don't see the person in the list, check that you're friends and that you've spelled the name sensibly.
- If they've limited mentions, they won't show up for you. That's their decision.
- If you've been blocked, you can't mention them, and I wouldn't try to get round that.
Please don't look for tricks to mention someone who has chosen not to be mentioned. A privacy setting is a clear message. If you need to reach the person about something important, message them in another way they've agreed to.
Mention, tag or send to: what's the difference?
| Action | What it does | Who is told | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mention (@ or sticker) | Puts a friend's name in your Story | The mentioned person, and anyone who taps it | Crediting, thanking, or including a friend in a post |
| Tag (other apps) | Snapchat's nearest equivalent is the mention; tag is the word other apps use | Depends on the app | Moving between apps without confusion |
| Send to | Sends the snap straight to a person in their chat | Only the people you pick | Private moments you don't want on a Story |
In plain terms, a mention is public inside your Story, and sending a snap is private. Choose the second whenever the content is personal.
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If the mention doesn't work
- Check you've typed the @ first, with no space between it and the name.
- Try the first few letters of their display name rather than a nickname you use for them.
- Make sure you're friends with the person, since the list is built from your own contacts.
- Update the app, then try the other method. If the caption route fails, the sticker sometimes works, and the other way round.
Menus and icons move around, so if you can't find the text tool or the sticker icon, open the right toolbar and look through every tool. That usually shows you where things now live.
A mention is permanent for as long as the Story is up. If you spot a typo in the name after you've posted, it's usually quicker to delete the Story and post it again with the right name than to leave the wrong person tagged.
A few habits that keep mentions friendly
- Ask first if the photo shows someone at a bad moment.
- Mention people when the Story is about them, not as a way to get their attention.
- Don't mention lots of people at once. A crowded caption is hard to read and may annoy them.
- Add a link only where it helps, and you can add a link to your Story if you have a good reason.
Mentions work best when they're warm and relevant. Used that way, they make your Stories feel more like a shared moment and less like a broadcast.
If you want the full set, start at the Instagram Help: 81 Guides to Followers, Hashtags, Money, Accounts and Fixes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mention someone on Snapchat without knowing their username?
If they're your friend, yes. Type @ in the caption and start typing their display name, then pick them from the list that appears. You don't need the exact username.
Does the person get a notification when I mention them?
Yes, the mentioned person is notified, and depending on their settings they can view the Story or share it. They aren't told anything you didn't choose to show.
Why can't I mention a particular person?
They may have limited who can mention them in their privacy settings, or you may not be friends. That's their choice, so respect it rather than looking for a workaround.
Can people tap a mention in my Story?
Yes. Viewers can tap the mention to see that person's profile, so only mention people who are happy to be pointed out.
