We’ve all been there—you’ve just shared a photo or video on Instagram, and then it hits you: you forgot to tag someone. Whether it’s a friend, a collaborator, or a brand, missing a tag can feel like a big deal, especially when it comes to engagement and giving credit where it’s due.
Tagging on Instagram isn’t just a social courtesy—it’s a powerful way to expand your reach, boost interactions, and connect with the right audience. Thankfully, Instagram makes it simple to go back and add tags, even after a post is already live.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to tag someone on Instagram after posting, along with what happens when you do and answers to common questions.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Tag Someone on Instagram After Posting
Follow these steps to quickly fix a missed tag:
1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Go to your profile by tapping the profile icon.
3. Find and tap the post you want to update.
4. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the post.
5. Tap Edit.
6. Select Tag People.
7. Tap anywhere on the photo to start tagging.
8. Enter the username of the person you want to tag and select them from the list.
9. Tap Done to confirm the tag.
10. Tap Done again to save the changes to your post.
That’s it! The tag will now be active, just as if you had included it before posting.
If you accidentally added music to your Instagram post and want to remove it before tagging someone, this guide can help you remove music from an Instagram post.
What Happens After You Tag Someone
When you tag someone after a post is live:
- They’ll receive a notification letting them know they were tagged.
- The post will appear in their “Photos of You” section (unless they’ve hidden it or changed their settings).
- They can still remove the tag if they choose to.
This makes tagging an easy fix with all the usual benefits intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you tag someone in a post after uploading?
Yes—just edit the post and add the tag as shown above.
Why can’t I tag someone on Instagram?
Some accounts restrict tagging from non-followers, or the username might be incorrect. Double-check both before trying again.
How do I tag someone in a comment instead?
Just type @username in the comments section. They’ll get notified but it won’t be a true post tag.
Can I edit tags in Instagram Stories after posting?
Unfortunately, no. You’d have to delete and re-upload the Story to tag someone.
Will they know I tagged them after posting?
Yes—they’ll receive a standard tag notification.
Conclusion
Forgetting to tag someone isn’t the end of the world. Thanks to Instagram’s editing features, you can easily go back and fix it. Whether you’re managing a personal brand or running a business account, knowing how to tag someone on Instagram after posting ensures you never miss a chance to connect, collaborate, or boost engagement.
Now that you know how to do it, try editing one of your posts and tag someone you missed—see the difference it can make!
Want more Instagram tips like this? Stick around—we’ve got plenty more coming your way.