Instagram It's one of the most active and growing social networks worldwide, powered by Meta. What began as a platform for instant image sharing has now become a favorite showcase for celebrities, brands, businesses, and everyday users who want to showcase moments from their daily lives, products, or services, using photos, videos, and text in creative and effective ways.
The platform allows easy access from both the mobile app and the website. While the app is the preferred method for uploading content frequently and conveniently, the website remains a useful option for those who don't want to install an app and want to manage their posts from their computer.
If ever you wondered How to create a location on Instagram For your posts, whether you're sharing the exact location you visited or boosting the visibility of your business or personal brand, in this article you'll find a detailed, updated, step-by-step guide to learn how. You'll also discover how to use this tool to improve your profile's reach and attract more followers or customers.
What is location on Instagram for?
The geolocation feature on Instagram is much more than just a marker: acts as a smart tool that associates your posts with a specific locationThis saves you from having to manually enter the city or location every time you upload an image, making it easier to organize your gallery and improving the experience for those who visit your profile.
Locations are key to gaining reach and relevanceWhen you tag a location, your post appears in searches related to that location, allowing other users to discover your content even if they don't follow you. For brick-and-mortar businesses and stores, this is a golden opportunity to attract local audiences and visitors, as anyone can find your establishment or brand simply by browsing the Instagram map.
Additionally, location helps keep your memories better organized and easier to find in the future. For brands and businesses, adding location allows customers to leave reviews, share experiences, and contribute to your digital reputation.
Advantages of using locations on Instagram
- Greater visibility: By tagging a location, your content can appear in the locations or maps section, attracting the attention of users interested in that place.
- More interaction: People who visit that place or search for information about it can interact directly with your posts.
- Reputation and trust: A well-managed location conveys professionalism and trustworthiness, especially if you're a brick-and-mortar business or a personal brand.
- Free advertising: Customers or followers can tag your location in their own posts and stories, increasing your reach without any advertising investment.
- Ease of location: Users can access your brand or business address with a simple click, helping you convert visitors into customers.
How to create a location on Instagram step by step
To create a new location on Instagram, you should know that The platform uses the locations registered on FacebookThat is, Instagram doesn't allow you to create custom locations directly from its app; instead, this feature relies on Facebook due to the integration of both social networks under Meta.
The process is simple, but requires following a few specific steps to ensure the location is recognized and you can tag it in your posts:
- Access Facebook from your mobile device or computer. You can use the app or the web version.
- Create a new post on your personal profile or business page.
- Click on the option register visit (appears next to a red location emoticon).
- Scroll to the bottom of the suggestions and select + Add a new place.
- Complete all the data: place name, exact address, city and location on the mapIf your business is physical, be sure to write the address correctly to avoid errors.
- Select the category that best fits your location (can be “Local Business”, “Restaurant”, “Store”, “Fun” if it’s a made-up place, etc.).
- Click on Save custom locationIt is important to publish the post so that the location is recorded correctly.
Note: It may take a few hours or up to 48 hours for the location to become available on Instagram.
How to check if your location is already active on Instagram
- Go to Instagram and create a new post, story, Reel, or any format.
- On the editing screen, select Add location.
- Start typing the name of the place you registered on Facebook. If successful, it will appear as a suggestion.
- Select that location and finish posting. It will now be connected to your content and visible to anyone who accesses the map or searches for that location.
If the location doesn't appear immediately, please wait a few hours and try again, as syncing between Facebook and Instagram isn't always instantaneous.
Can I create a location directly from Instagram?
It's not possible Create new locations directly from the Instagram appThe platform only allows you to choose from existing locations in its database (sourced from Facebook) or from Google Maps for already recognized locations. If you need a custom location, you'll need to follow the steps mentioned above from your Facebook account.
How to add a location to your posts, Stories, and Reels
Once your custom location is active, you can use it on any post type:
- In feed posts: Before posting, choose “Add Location” and select the place you created.
- In stories: Use the location sticker, start typing the name of the place and select it.
- On Reels or IGTV: The option appears the same as in the feed, just before launching the post.
Important: Instagram only allows you to add one location per post or story. If you want to tag different locations, you'll need to create separate posts.
How to create a location that doesn't exist on Instagram
If you are looking for a location and you can't find it either in suggestions or by typing its name, the solution is create a location from Facebook following the step-by-step instructions explained above. This is particularly useful for newly opened businesses, temporary events, or invented locations for creative campaigns.
How to edit the location on old posts
Instagram allows you Add or change the location of your posts after they are published, which is very useful if you forgot to do it or need to correct a mistake.
- Open the old post in your profile.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Edit.
- Change or add the desired location and save the changes.
How to display your location on your profile (Business and Creator accounts)
If you have a business or creator account on Instagram, you can add your business address to your profile to make it easier for users to find you.
- Go to your profile and click on Edit profile.
- Choose Contact options & AFTER Company address.
- Enter the address, city/town and postal code.
- Save and exit editing. Your location will be clearly visible to all profile visitors.
How to Create Fake or Custom Locations on Instagram
Instagram allows users some customization with locations, which can be fun if you want to joke around, throw off your friends, or promote an event or creative concept.
- Create a location from Facebook with the invented or creative name you choose.
- Choose a category like “Fun” if it’s a funny or irreverent name.
- Fill out the details as if they were real so that Instagram can recognize them and use them in your posts.
You can edit and delete your posts to change their location as many times as you like, as long as you are the account owner.
Why won't Instagram let me add my location?
If you are having trouble adding a location on Instagram, there may be several reasons, but the most common is that the device's "Location" feature is disabledWithout active geolocation, Instagram doesn't detect your location and can't suggest or find nearby locations.
Other common problems may include:
- Location not yet synced: If you recently created it on Facebook, wait a few hours or a couple of days.
- Internet connection failure: A poor connection may prevent location suggestions from loading.
- App Permissions: Check your device's settings to make sure Instagram has location access permissions.
How to enable location on your device
- Open the Settings of your mobile.
- Find “Location” and go to “Access my location.”
- Flip the switch to allow access.
- Go back to Instagram, create a post, and automatically add the location.
Remember: Real-time location is especially useful if you want your followers to see exactly where you are or where the event or activity you're promoting is taking place.
Key tips for businesses and enterprises on location management
- Always include the location in posts about your physical business. This will make it easier for your customers to find you and allow you to appear in related searches.
- Encourage customers and followers to share content using your location. This will generate very valuable organic content and social proof.
- Avoid duplicate or similar names that may confuse users. Try to maintain consistency in your business or brand name.
- Update your location data If you change locations, open a new branch, or discover errors in the published information.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them when creating a location
- Not completing all location data (address, category, and name). If details are missing, the location may not appear correctly on Instagram or may appear on the wrong map.
- Register multiple locations that are similar or have different spellings, which confuses customers and disperses the visibility of your business.
- Do not verify that the created location is active: Do this before telling customers they can tag you.
- Do not use the location in your own postsIf you are a business, lead by example to set a trend and position yourself as a reference.
Frequently Asked Questions About Instagram Locations
- Why is my location taking a while to appear? The sync process can take up to 48 hours. If it doesn't appear after that time, check that you've completed all your details on Facebook.
- Can I delete a location if I made a mistake? You can't delete locations from Instagram, but you can edit them on Facebook and report errors.
- Can I use the same location on multiple accounts? Yes, any user can tag an existing location when creating their posts.
- How do I show my location when searching on the map? Complete all registration and promotion steps to increase your location's visibility and ask your clients or friends to feature it in their posts.
Creating locations on Instagram has established itself as one of the most valuable strategies for boosting visibility for personal posts, promoting physical businesses, and consolidating brand image. Leveraging this feature correctly allows you to organize your memories, facilitate interaction with customers and followers, and stand out in location-related searches. Whether you manage a personal account, a restaurant, a retail location, or an international brand, knowing and applying these steps will open up new opportunities to enhance your digital presence and increase your reach on today's most visual and dynamic social network.