🟡 How to Tag Someone on Instagram (and Add a Collaborator!) — A Simple Guide for 2025

Whether you're a small business owner, a creator, or you're just starting your social media journey… tagging and collaborating on Instagram is one of the fastest, easiest ways to grow your account.

And the best part? Once you learn it, it takes less than 10 seconds to do.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through:

  • How to tag people on Instagram

  • How to add a collaborator

  • How to do all of this on mobile AND desktop

And hey — if you prefer watching instead of reading…
👇 Here’s the full tutorial video:

🔶 Why Tagging & Collaborating Matters

You’ve probably heard people say “collab with creators,” “tag your partners,” or “share the spotlight,” but here’s why it actually works: Tagging helps people find you

If someone sees your post and recognizes a tagged person or business, they’re more likely to check you out.

Collaborations double or triple your exposure

When you invite someone as a collaborator and they accept:

  • The post shows up on both of your profiles

  • All likes, comments, and shares show up in both notification feeds

  • You share the same engagement, which tells Instagram: “People care about this… boost it!”

Meaning: Your reach grows without spending a dollar.

🟡 Tagging vs. Collaborators — What’s the Difference?

Tag = simple mention

You tag someone → they’re notified → your post shows their username and your post will show up in their tagged photos section. (That section on your home page or main profile to the far right next to your posts, reels, reposts then tags)

Collaborator = shared ownership

You invite someone as a collaborator → if accepted → it becomes a shared post.

If they don’t accept? No problem. Your post simply stays as a normal tag.

If they do accept? Your post instantly gets a second home on their account.

This is HUGE for small businesses working together on:

  • Events

  • Promotions

  • Product launches

  • Sponsored posts

  • Community pages

  • Artist partnerships

  • Restaurants + creators

  • And more

🔧 How to Tag Someone (Mobile + Desktop)

📱 On Mobile:

  1. Start your new post

  2. Tap “Tag People”

  3. Tap anywhere on your photo/video

  4. Type their username

  5. Select → Done

Easy.

💻 On Desktop (Instagram.com):

  1. Upload your post

  2. Look for the “Tag People” option

  3. Type their username

  4. Save

Instagram has made desktop posting way easier lately — great for businesses posting from laptops but it’s still a little better on a mobile app.

✨ How to Add a Collaborator

This is the feature most people still don’t use — and it’s the one that will grow your account the fastest.

  1. Create a new post

  2. Tap "Tag People"

  3. Select “Invite Collaborator”. You have to click this for each Tim you want to add a collaborator. If you dont it will default to just being a tag.

  4. Type the username

  5. Post it

  6. They’ll get a collab request in their notifications

Once accepted, boom — double the exposure.

Note: You can go back and edit your posts and add collaborators if you missed it or forgot. You can even go back years ago and add collaborators on posts before collaborators was an option.

💬 Quick Tip for Beginners

Social media can feel overwhelming if you're new… But remember: “Even if you’ve been doing social media for years… it’s someone else’s first day.” If you know how to do this already, share this guide with someone who’s just getting started. Helping others is literally how communities grow. We want to see small businesses grow.

Don’t tag or add a collaborator with direct competitors or multiple businesses that have nothing to do with your content or post. Keep it all relative. Before posting think “What would the business im adding think when they review the invite to collaborate”.

📈 Want to Grow Your Instagram Faster?

This tagging/collaborator feature works extremely well for:

  • Local businesses

  • Welders + tradespeople

  • Artists + creators

  • Restaurants

  • Event pages

  • Photographers

  • Shops + boutiques

  • Anyone who wants more reach without paying for ads

Start using this feature consistently and you’ll see a noticeable difference in your visibility.

📺 Watch the Full Tutorial

If you want the step-by-step visuals, the video breaks it down clean and simple:


🟡 Final Thoughts

Tagging and collaborating on Instagram sounds simple — and it is — but it’s also one of the most powerful growth tools Instagram gives you. Whether you're just starting your social media journey or leveling up your strategy, mastering these basics will help your content reach way more people.

If you have questions, drop them in the comments below.
Let’s help each other grow.

And if you need help managing your social media…
You already know who to call.
Slag Tag Media.

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