Adding Location Tags to Instagram Posts
Learn how to add location tags to Instagram posts in Publlish, how location tagging affects discoverability, and what to do if a location isn't showing up in search.
Location tags on Instagram connect your posts to a place — a city, a venue, a landmark, or a business. They increase discoverability for local audiences and are particularly valuable for location-based businesses, events, and travel content.
What Location Tags Do on Instagram
When you add a location tag to an Instagram post:
- The post appears in the location's photo map — a collection of all posts tagged at that location
- Users who search for or follow that location may see your post in their feed
- Your post is more likely to be discovered by local audiences browsing the location
For brick-and-mortar businesses, hospitality brands, event venues, and travel content creators, location tags are a simple, free discoverability tool that's worth using consistently.
How to Add a Location Tag in Publlish
- Open the composer (New Post) and select your Instagram channel
- Look for the Location field in the Instagram-specific options in the composer
- Type the name of the location you want to tag — a search will show matching Instagram locations
- Select the correct location from the results
- The location tag will be included when your post publishes
Location tags only apply to Instagram — you won't see this option for other platforms in the Publlish composer.
What Counts as a Location on Instagram
Instagram's location database pulls from Facebook Places. You can tag:
- Cities and regions — "London, United Kingdom", "New York City"
- Specific venues — restaurants, hotels, cafes, gyms, shops
- Landmarks — The Eiffel Tower, Central Park, Covent Garden
- Events — many large events have a tagged location
- Businesses — if a business has a Facebook Page with a location, it usually appears in Instagram's location search
If the location you're looking for doesn't appear, it may not exist in Facebook Places yet. Locations are added through Facebook — the business or venue owner needs to have created a Facebook Place.
Tips for Using Location Tags Effectively
Always tag your own business location — if you have a physical location, tag it consistently on every relevant post. This builds up a collection of posts on your location page and makes it easier for local customers to find you.
Tag the venue for event content — if you're posting about an event, conference, or activation, tag the venue. Event attendees browsing the venue's location tag will see your post.
Tag city-level for broader reach — if your content is relevant to a city but not a specific venue, tag the city. This gives you a broader pool of people who might discover the post through location search.
Be accurate — don't tag a popular location just for reach if you're not actually there or associated with it. Instagram's algorithm is increasingly good at detecting irrelevant location tags.
Troubleshooting Location Tags
The location I want isn't showing up in search The location may not exist in Facebook Places yet. Try searching with a slightly different spelling or the broader city/area name. If it's a business you own, create or claim the Facebook Place through Facebook.
My location tag didn't appear on the published post If the location tag wasn't saved before scheduling, it won't appear on the post. Check in Publlish before scheduling to confirm the location tag is selected. If the tag is missing from an already-published post, you'll need to edit the post natively in the Instagram app to add it.
I can see the location option but can't search locations This may be a temporary API issue. Try refreshing the Publlish page or trying again in a few minutes. If the issue persists, contact Publlish support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add location tags to Instagram Reels and Stories through Publlish? Location tags via Publlish are supported for Instagram feed posts. Reels location support depends on the current API — check the composer for the option when composing a Reel. Stories location tags must typically be added natively in the Instagram app.
Do location tags help with Instagram reach? Yes — location tags increase discoverability by placing your post in the location's photo map and making it searchable by location. The impact is strongest for local audiences and location-specific content.
Can I use location tags on other platforms through Publlish? Currently, location tags in Publlish are Instagram-specific. Other platforms have different location features that may not be supported via the publishing API.
What if my business location isn't in Instagram's database? Create or claim your business as a Facebook Place — this is the underlying database Instagram uses. Once the Facebook Place exists, it should appear in Instagram's location search within a few days.