Written by: Jules Samuel | Est. 9 min.

Instagram has become one of the top platforms for aspiring influencers, like yourself, looking to build a loyal following, increase engagement, and ultimately make a name in the social media world. Among the many features Instagram offers to help you gain visibility and connect with a local audience, adding a location to your Instagram Stories stands out. Whether you’re sharing your favorite café, attending an exciting event, or just letting your followers know where you are, using location stickers in your stories is a simple yet powerful way to increase your reach.
In this guide, I’m going to walk you through the entire process of how to add a location to your Instagram story, explain why it’s such a useful feature, and give you some advanced tips on how to maximize the benefits. By the time we’re done, you’ll know exactly how to use this tool to boost your Instagram presence.
Why Should You Add a Location to Your Instagram Story?
Adding a location tag to your Instagram Stories is not just about letting people know where you are. It’s about visibility, engagement, and exposure. Here’s why this matters for someone looking to become an Instagram influencer:
- Increased Local Visibility: When you add a location to your story, it becomes discoverable to people searching for content from that area. Imagine you’re tagging a location in a popular city—your story could show up to users browsing that location.
- Appear on the Explore Page: Instagram’s Explore page features stories from specific locations. If your story performs well, it may be included in this section, giving you even more exposure to potential new followers.
- Engaging with Local Audiences: If your goal is to target a specific local audience (especially useful for those collaborating with local businesses), using location tags can help you connect with people in that area who are more likely to engage with your content.
Now that we’ve established why this is a must-use tool, let’s jump into the details of how to add a location to your Instagram story.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a Location on Instagram Story

How to Add a Location Sticker in Instagram Stories
The simplest way to add a location to your story is by using Instagram’s Location Sticker. Here’s a quick, step-by-step guide to help you get it right:
- Open Instagram and Create a Story: Start by opening the Instagram app and tapping the “+” button to create a new story. This could be a photo, video, or boomerang—whatever you want to share with your followers.
- Tap the Sticker Icon: Once you’ve created your story content, tap the sticker icon (it looks like a smiley face) located at the top of the screen. This will open up a list of stickers you can add to your story.
- Choose the Location Sticker: Scroll through the options and select the Location Sticker. A search bar will appear, allowing you to find and select the location you want to tag.
- Customize the Location Sticker: After selecting your location, you can customize the look of the sticker by adjusting its size, color, and placement on your story. Make sure it’s clearly visible, but not covering important parts of your content.
- Publish Your Story: Once your location sticker is in place, go ahead and publish your story by tapping “Send To” and selecting “Your Story.” Now your story, complete with a location tag, is live!
How to Add a Hashtag with a Location to Instagram Story
Another way to increase visibility on your story is by adding a location-based hashtag. Here’s how you can do it:
- Start a New Story: Just like before, open the Instagram app and create a new story.
- Type a Hashtag: Instead of using the location sticker, tap the text icon and start typing your location as a hashtag. For example, you might use #Paris if you’re in the city.
- Combine Hashtags and Stickers: You can combine this hashtag with the location sticker for double the exposure. By doing so, your story could appear under both the hashtag search and location-based stories.
Why Adding a Location to Your Instagram Story Increases Visibility
So, why does adding a location to your Instagram story help increase visibility? Well, Instagram’s algorithm is all about engagement, and by tagging your location, you’re giving your story the chance to reach people who are interested in that specific area. Let’s break it down further:
Local Search and Explore Page Exposure
When users search for content related to a specific location, Instagram pulls stories that are tagged with that location. If you tag a popular place, your story may show up in the local search results for that area, even to people who don’t follow you. The more views and engagement your story gets, the higher the chances that Instagram will feature it on the Explore page, amplifying your reach. And, combining this with a strategy to get more Insta followers can boost visibility even more
Benefits for Local Businesses
For influencers collaborating with local businesses, adding a location tag is a great way to help promote the business while also increasing your own visibility. Tagging the business’s location makes your story visible to anyone searching for that place, helping you attract a more targeted audience. Plus, this could lead to potential partnerships with other local brands in the future.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Tagging Locations on Instagram Stories

While adding a location to your Instagram story seems pretty straightforward, there are a few mistakes that can actually hurt your reach if you’re not careful. Here are some common errors and how to avoid them:
- Choosing an Inaccurate Location: Always make sure you’re selecting the correct location for your story. If you tag a place that’s far from where you actually are, it could confuse your audience and reduce engagement.
- Not Using City-Specific Stickers: In some cities, Instagram offers city-specific stickers that can help your story stand out even more. If they’re available, make sure you use them.
- Using Too Many Irrelevant Tags: Adding too many unrelated location or hashtag stickers can make your story look spammy. Stick to one or two relevant tags for the best results.
How to Edit or Remove a Location from Your Instagram Story
Let’s say you’ve posted a story with a location tag but later realize you want to change or remove it. Here’s how to fix it:
- Edit a Location Sticker: Unfortunately, once your story is posted, you can’t directly edit the sticker. However, you can delete the story and re-post it with the correct location if needed.
- Remove a Location Sticker: If you decide you don’t want the location on your story anymore, the only way to remove it is to delete the story and upload a new one without the sticker.
For regular posts, the process is a bit different. You can easily edit the location on a post after it’s been shared. Simply go to the post, click on the three dots in the upper-right corner, and select “Edit” to change or remove the location.
How to Use Location Tags for Increased Engagement

Once you’ve mastered the basics of adding a location sticker, it’s time to take things up a notch. By combining location stickers with Instagram’s other interactive features, you can really boost engagement on your stories.
Combining Poll Stickers with Location Stickers
One effective way to increase engagement is to combine location stickers with poll stickers. For example, if you’re at a local event, you can ask your followers questions like “Who’s been here before?” or “What’s your favorite thing about this place?” Poll stickers encourage interaction, and pairing them with location tags helps reach a wider audience.
Engaging with Local Audiences Using Location Stories
Don’t just add a location tag and move on. Engage with stories from your local area. Look for other users in your location, watch their stories, and interact with them by replying or reacting to their posts. Building these local connections will help increase your visibility within your community.
Pro Tips for Maximizing the Effect of Location Tags on Instagram Stories
Now that you’re familiar with the basics, here are some advanced tips to make the most out of location tags:
Using City-Specific Stickers for Better Discoverability
As mentioned earlier, in some cities, Instagram offers city-specific stickers. These stickers are designed to increase discoverability by making your story part of a larger, city-wide location story. Make sure to use these stickers when they’re available to give your story a higher chance of being seen by more people.
How to Combine Location Stickers with Hashtags for Maximum Reach
For maximum reach, combine location stickers with relevant hashtags. For example, if you’re attending a local event, use both the event’s hashtag and the location sticker in your story. This increases your chances of being found in both searches, potentially doubling your reach.
Conclusion
Adding a location to your Instagram story is a simple yet powerful way to increase your visibility and engagement on the platform. Whether you’re tagging a local café, attending an event, or promoting a business, location stickers allow your content to be discovered by a wider audience. Plus, by combining location tags with interactive features like polls and hashtags, you can take your stories to the next level and grow your following even faster.
So, what are you waiting for? Start using location stickers in your stories today and watch as your visibility—and engagement—begins to soar. And enhance your story’s impact even more with increased interaction—such as likes, views, and comments to make your Instagram content stand out. Start boosting today!
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