Instagram location ideas

Top Instagram Location Ideas To Try On Your Next Post (with examples)

April 29, 2022
By
Kyra Goodman

It's all about location, location, location.

Location, Location, Location. Even as Instagram continues to evolve and change, the ability to add locations to your Instagram posts has been one of those constants that isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

If you’re an Instagram marketing OG, you might remember that at one time, you could create custom locations easily inside the app. Since then, Instagram has announced that you can no longer create your own “locations” for your posts, meaning we’re stuck with the pre-made locations Instagram gives us. 

The tradeoff is that Instagram has vastly improved its place search functionality over the years, which has huge benefits for your business. With the right location tag, you can increase your brand’s discoverability on Instagram, let followers know where they can find you in real life, and browse millions of IG locations to find the perfect one for any post. 

And the fun isn’t completely over - there’s a sneaky workaround you can use to create custom locations and add some personality to your Instagram feed. More on this below!

Whether you intend to use location tags in a strategic or entertaining way, there’s an Instagram location out there for you!

Why Your Instagram Location Matters

Tagging your Instagram location has been and continues to be an incredibly important tool to make your content more discoverable. In 2021, there were over 1 billion people on Instagram, with over 500 million daily users. What’s more, eight out of ten Instagram users are following business accounts like yours. 

These numbers are music to the ears of businesses who want to increase their engagement and ultimately, their revenue. But there’s no denying the space is crowded. Brands are using everything in their toolbox to get in front of their target audience, and that starts with things like location tags. Adding a location to your posts or Instagram stories lets your followers know where you are and helps put you on locals’ radar.

It’s not just about letting your followers know where you are either. If the rise of TikTok has taught us anything, it’s that the humor and creativity of the internet are vast. While it can be tempting to only post promotional content for your business, part of the reason social media exists is for entertainment. Adding a clever location tag or a witty Instagram caption is a small yet effective way to add some flair to your Instagram content and show off the personality behind the brand.

Here are a few other ways that adding a location can improve your Insta game:

Reach new Instagram audiences 

The massive rise in Instagram’s user base over the past few years means that organic reach is becoming more and more difficult.  While there are still ways to get that increasingly rare organic reach (we love a good hashtag strategy), tagging your location is a superpower that cannot be understated.

Recently, Instagram has been working to improve complaints about limited organic reach by filling up the homepage with suggested content based on what accounts users follow or content they’ve interacted with in the past. That means if your ideal customers are already interacting with other businesses in your area, your likelihood of showing up in their feed dramatically increases when you add a location to your Instagram posts.

Instagram locations work like hashtags: when a user searches a certain word or phrase, any tags containing it will pop up. For example, if someone searches for a coffee shop or restaurant near you, they’re more likely to stumble upon your business. Adding a location tag to your Instagram posts also means that people who click on it can view all the other posts that have been uploaded to that location, including your past posts. 

Get specific with it. For example, in a huge city like New York, you might come across tens of thousands of posts, which probably isn’t helping your reach. However, if you tag a certain area in New York, say, your favorite local boutique or a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, there are likely to be fewer posts which means a higher chance of your post being seen. 

Unlock new sources of content for your business

Like hashtags, geotagged posts also allow your business to collect user-generated content (UCG). Especially if you have a location tag set up for your brick and mortar business, any posts that your audience or customers have geotagged with your name will show up when new users search for your business. 

This is useful for a handful of reasons. First – you guessed it – discoverability. The more people tag your business in their location, the more likely other users might hear about you for the first time. Even more importantly, it helps you identify your existing customers and show them some love by engaging with or resharing their content. 

So the next time you’re feeling uninspired with your content, take a quick browse through your business’ geotag and see what you can repurpose for your own feed or IG story!

Boost your Instagram engagement 

We know what you’re thinking: what does adding a location have to do with engagement? 

Before you jump to conclusions, let’s talk about the importance of engagement for a second. While so many companies fixate on Instagram follower counts, one of the metrics that actually boosts the visibility of your profile most is your engagement rate. It’s the best indicator of how engaged your following is, and the best way to increase it is through high-quality, relatable content.

A fun or entertaining location can help make you more relatable to your audience and maybe even inspire someone to share for a nice little boost in engagement. Here’s the proof: posts that have a location tagged have a 79% higher engagement rate than posts that don’t. As a bonus, higher engagement rates also improve your overall performance with the Instagram algorithm.

How to Find The Best Instagram Location Tags For Your Business

Finding the perfect Instagram location is a bit of a science. 

First, ask yourself what you’re trying to accomplish through your Instagram post. Are you trying to invoke a feeling or emotion? Make your followers laugh? Or maybe you’re trying to achieve a business objective like driving more signups for your latest event or product launch.  

Once you’ve figured that out, it’s time for the fun part - finding the perfect location tag. This is where you really have to get creative and do your research. 

Start by typing in a random word or feeling in the search bar. Then, head over to the “Places” tab and scroll through the endless amount of locations to tag. 

Instagram Location Search

Here are some of our favorite Instagram location ideas to get you started:

If you’re a beauty or fashion brand…

Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment

Sex and the City fans, rejoice! Unleash your inner fashionista with this Manhattan-glam Instagram location. 

Whether it’s a fabulous shot of your team strolling down the street or a video showing off your latest spring collection, this location is the answer.

Euphoria

There’s no denying that over the past couple of years, HBO’s Euphoria has become a cultural phenomenon. 

The show has become known for its colorful and gritty fashion and makeup looks. Try out this location on a post about the latest IG makeup trend, your staff holiday party, or any other creative backdrops that have purple tones or “trippy” vibe. 

Sked Tip: if you’re using the location on your latest Reel, use one of Euphoria’s trending audio sounds for the ultimate Euphoria vibe.

Shine Bright Like a Diamond

Inspired by Rihanna’s lyrics, this Instagram location is best for showing off a new jewelry or makeup line. Or, use it for a fire selfie or someone on your team looking happy and “shining” from the inside out.

Discover more dazzling ideas for your jewelry business here.

If you want to show followers your relatable side…

I Need Coffee 

Monday mornings got you down? 

Channel American internet personality and YouTuber Emma Chamberlain with a comfy-yet-cool aesthetic, a snap of your home office setup, or even an early morning before work when you could use a caffeine boost. 

P.S. This one also works great if you’re managing social media for a cafe or coffee shop.

Send Help

We’ve all encountered those unexpected emergencies that pop up throughout the work day. Maybe Facebook went down for a full day or you accidentally hit “publish” on a post that was only half-baked. 

We’re all human. Your followers are likely to relate to you more if you can laugh at yourself and share those moments of imperfection. Add this funny Instagram location tag and pair it with a witty caption or emoji to put a smile on your followers’ faces. 

Home Sweet Home

This location works great to show off your office aesthetic or just a casual comfy selfie. Or maybe you frequent a certain cafe or restaurant so often that it feels like you live there. Add this tag for a whimsical, humorous touch. 

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If you’re looking to drive traffic to your TikTok account…

TikTok

Ah, the irony. Although Instagram and TikTok are top social media competitors, adding a “TikTok” location tag to your Instagram photos is a strategic way to marry your presence on both social media platforms.

Post a video of your team performing the latest TikTok dance trend, celebrate a TikTok follower milestone, or something totally unrelated. 

If you want to show off an awe-inspiring product shot or location…

Bob Ross Studios

Who doesn’t remember the feel-good nostalgia of Bob Ross? If you haven’t seen one of the classic Bob Ross TV episodes, he’s best-known for his paintings of gorgeous scenery and landscapes. 

Pay homage to Bob with this location tag that’s perfect for moments where you want to show off true works of art, whether it’s a gorgeous nature scene or a colorful, creative outfit. 

Planet Earth

Perfect for photos or videos shot in breath-taking locations. This tag is our go to for nature-inspired pics, sunsets, beaches, and more. Show off a snap from your latest vacation or add it to a more mundane lifestyle post to give it an extra touch of beauty.

Making Magic

This is one of those versatile location ideas that works in a variety of scenarios. Whether you’re creating something new or getting ready for a new product launch, it’s always a good go-to. 

If you want to show off an Instagram-worthy meal…

Hungry?

If you own a restaurant or cafe, this one’s for you! 

We all know that Instagram is a great place to show off your drool-worthy menu items. Why not serve it with a humorous location tag on the side?

If you want to really tap into your audience’s nostalgic side, you can even use the location tag, “Grandma’s Soul Food” to remind your audience of simpler times.

Chew on this guide for more ideas to give your restaurant’s marketing some flavor. 

If you want to drive new leads or engagement for your business…

Whether you're driving traffic to your website or online store, the link in your bio is one of the best ways to inspire your followers to take action and make a purchase from you.

Make the best possible use of your Instagram profile link with a tool like Sked Link that lets you add buttons to anywhere on the web and a gallery of your IG posts to direct users to the right page. Plus, design it so it’s all on brand!

Giveaway Time

Who doesn’t love a good Instagram giveaway? Get your followers excited to participate and reach new audiences with this popular location idea. 

How to Create Your Own Instagram Locations

If you’re determined enough to put the work in, there are ways around Instagram’s custom location limitations. Although it’s not as simple as it once was, you can still create your own location tags for Instagram.

Here’s how to do it:

Make sure your location permissions are turned on, otherwise you won’t be able to do this.

Voila! Your new location is added. Next time you log into Instagram, you should be able to type in the name of your new location tag and add it to your posts.

Ready to Send Your Engagement and Sales Through The Roof This Year?

More and more, consumers are looking to buy from brands they feel personally connected to. Adding a location to your Instagram posts allows you to express your brand’s personality, show off your sense of humor, and connect with new audiences around the globe.

 Not only are location tags a powerful tool to gain traction, engagement and reach, they’re also just a really fun time.

Get creative with it! Mix it up with obscure, off-the-cuff location ideas and more local ones to drive maximum reach for your business. 

Make scheduling location tags a breeze with Sked’s all-in-one Instagram tool that schedules Instagram posts with product tags, hashtags, user tags, and location tags for you. Turbocharge your Instagram scheduling today with our free 7-day trial.

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