Trying to tag a friend in your Instagram Story? Instagram calls these tags mentions, and you add them with text or a sticker. Here's how to mention someone before or after posting, control resharing, and handle mention restrictions.
Tag someone with Story text
Typing a username alone leaves the mention unfinished, so select the intended account after entering it. Select a photo or video for your Story in the Instagram app on Android, iPhone, or iPad. Then tap Text.
Type @ immediately followed by the person's username, with no space between them. Select the intended account from the results. Pay attention here when several usernames look similar.
Repeat for anyone else you want to include, up to 20 people per photo or video. Tap Done, then tap Your story to publish.
Prefer a sticker? Use Mention
The Mention sticker adds a tappable profile mention to your Story. Prepare your Story photo or video. Tap Stickers at the top of the editor.
Choose Mention. Enter the person's username. Select the intended account from the results. Tap Your story to publish.
If the sticker is missing, update Instagram through the App Store or Google Play Store. Availability varies by account and region, so updating doesn't guarantee access. If it's still missing, use the text mention method above.
Already shared your Story?
Forgot someone? Open the published Story you want to add them to. Tap Mention at the bottom of the Story.
Choose the account you want to mention. The person receives a notification, but their username won't appear visibly on the published photo or video.
Don't see Mention at the bottom? Instagram's own Stories guide also describes tapping the three dots for More, then Add Mention, so check there.
Choose whether people can reshare your mention
While adding a text mention, set Let people you mention add this to their story and reshare it with their audiences? to your preference. Turn it off to prevent mention-based resharing.
Tap Done, then tap Your story to publish. Keep your next post in mind: Instagram saves this sharing preference for future Stories.
If Instagram won't let you mention someone
The recipient controls who can mention them, so these steps belong on their account:
- 1.Open Profile.
- 2.Tap Menu.
- 3.Under How others can interact with you, open Tags and mentions.
- 4.Select Who can @mention you.
- 5.Choose Allow mentions from everyone, Allow mentions from people you follow, or Don't allow mentions. If they allow mentions only from people they follow, they must follow your account for you to mention them.
Other ways to add a Story mention
Using Instagram in a mobile browser? Select a photo or video for your Story. Tap Text.
Type @ immediately followed by the username. Select the intended account. Tap Done, then tap Add to your story at the bottom to publish.
In Instagram Lite, select your Story photo or video. Tap Stickers, then choose @Mention.
Enter the username. Tap the person's name in the results. Tap Your Story in the bottom right to publish.
If either method won't let you mention a particular person, ask them to check their mention permissions using the steps above. You can't override their choice, and blocking also prevents mentions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my mention permissions on a computer?
Yes. On instagram.com, click More in the bottom left. Open Settings. Under How others can interact with you, select Tags and mentions. Under Who can @mention you, choose Allow mentions from everyone, Allow mentions from people you follow, or Don't allow mentions. These permissions apply to Stories, comments, and captions.
Can I send Story mention notifications to a group chat?
Yes. Mention at least two followers whom you follow back. Enable Start a group chat from story, then share the Story. Notifications go to a group chat instead of separate chats. The accounts' mention and group-chat privacy settings must allow it.
Why can't I mention someone's Teen Account?
Teen Accounts allow mentions only from accounts the teen follows by default. Users under 16 need parental permission to make protected settings less restrictive. Parents can also require approval for supervised older teens.
Can I remove my username from someone else's Story?
No. Instagram says you can't remove your username from someone else's Story. To limit future mentions, change who may mention you in your account's mention permissions.