Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Tag People in Instagram Story

🧠 Introduction

Ever watched a friend’s Instagram Story and thought, “Hey! I was there too—why didn’t they tag me?” Tagging people in your story isn’t just about giving credit; it boosts engagement, improves reach, and strengthens your online presence.

In this tutorial, we’re diving deep into how to tag people in Instagram Story like a pro. Whether you’re shouting out a friend, a brand, or a business partner, this step-by-step guide will help you do it flawlessly—plus we’ll drop a few advanced tricks to make your tags stand out!

📲 Why Tagging Matters in Instagram Stories

Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” When you tag someone:

They’re notified immediately.
They can reshare your story to their audience.
It increases your content’s visibility and engagement.
It helps brands and influencers collaborate more effectively.

So, if you’re asking how to tag people in Instagram Story, you’re really asking how to connect, engage, and expand your audience.

🛠️ Step-by-Step: How to Tag People in Instagram Story

Step 1: Open Instagram and Start a Story

Open the Instagram app.
Tap the plus icon (+) at the top or swipe right on your home screen.
Capture a photo or video, or upload one from your camera roll.

Step 2: Tap the “Aa” Text Tool

At the top right of the screen, tap the “Aa” icon (text tool).
This allows you to add any text—including tags.

Step 3: Type the “@” Symbol Followed by the Username

Type @username of the person or account you want to tag.
Instagram will suggest usernames as you type. Select the correct one from the dropdown.

💡 Example: Typing “@johndoe” will tag the user @johndoe.

Step 4: Style and Position the Tag

Once tagged, you can resize, rotate, or move the tag.
Tap the tag to change font style or color to match your Story’s vibe.

Step 5: Post Your Story

Tap “Your Story” or “Close Friends” to publish.
The tagged person will receive a DM notification that they’ve been mentioned.

Now you know the core process of how to tag people in Instagram Story!

🎨 Bonus: Use the Mention Sticker for Stylish Tags

Want a more stylish or sticker-style tag?

Tap the sticker icon (smiley face) at the top.
Tap @MENTION from the sticker options.
Enter the username, then place the sticker wherever you like.

It’s just another creative way to master how to tag people in Instagram Story while keeping things visually appealing.

💡 Advanced Tips for Tagging in Instagram Stories

1. Tag Multiple People

Yes, you can tag up to 10 users in one Story. Just keep adding @username or use multiple mention stickers.

2. Hide Tags (for Aesthetic Purposes)

Want to tag someone without cluttering your design?

Shrink the tag by pinching it small.
Place it behind a GIF or sticker.
Blend it into the background using the same color text.

Still counts as a tag and still notifies them!

3. Use Hashtags with Mentions

Combine hashtags like #Throwback with mentions to boost reach.

Example: “#Throwback to this epic trip with @travelbuddy”_

📈 How Tagging Boosts Your Engagement

Wondering how tagging helps your metrics? Here’s how:

Increases story views as tagged users may reshare your content.
Encourages reactions and replies from tagged people.
Boosts brand visibility during collaborations and shout-outs.

Mastering how to tag people in Instagram Story is a simple way to grow your Instagram community naturally.

📌 Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Misspelling the Username

Double-check the spelling—Instagram won’t tag someone if it’s even one letter off.

❌ Tagging Private Accounts

If their account is private and they don’t follow you, they won’t be able to reshare your story.

❌ Forgetting to Tap Their Username from Suggestions

You need to select the suggested username to make it a real tag.

🧩 Creative Tagging Ideas for Brands and Creators

Behind-the-scenes footage tagging your team or crew.
Shoutouts to customers or loyal followers.
Collaborations with influencers—tag them so their fans see it too.
Giveaways: “Tag a friend to enter!”

When you understand how to tag people in Instagram Story, the creative options are endless.

📦 How to Tag People in Instagram Story on Different Devices

iPhone Users

The steps remain exactly the same—Instagram’s interface is uniform across iOS and Android.

Android Users

Slight design differences may appear, but the tagging process doesn’t change.

📊 How to Track Tagging Performance

You can track story engagement like:

Views
Replies
Profile visits (especially from tags)

If you’re using a Professional or Creator account, Instagram Insights gives you a better view of how your tagged stories perform.

🔁 How to Tag People in Instagram Story After Posting

Unfortunately, once a story is live, you can’t edit tags. But you can:

Delete the story and repost with the correct tag.
Or reply to your own story and mention the person manually in your message.

👋 Conclusion

So now you know how to tag people in Instagram Story—and more importantly, how to do it creatively and effectively. From shoutouts to marketing moves, tagging unlocks a whole new level of interaction on Instagram.

Whether you’re a casual user, influencer, or business owner, learning how to tag people in Instagram Story helps you grow, connect, and make every story count.

🙋 FAQs

Q1: Can I tag people in Instagram Story without them knowing?

No. Anyone you tag will get a notification via DM. However, you can shrink or hide the tag for aesthetic reasons.

Q2: How many people can I tag in one story?

You can tag up to 10 users in one Instagram Story.

Q3: Why isn’t my tag working?

Check for typos, ensure the account exists, and make sure you’re selecting it from the dropdown list.

Q4: Can private accounts reshare a story they’re tagged in?

Only if the person tagging them is someone they follow. Otherwise, they won’t see the tag notification.

Q5: Is tagging useful for business pages?

Absolutely! It boosts brand engagement, connects you with followers, and expands reach through shares.