If you’re an Instagram user, you may have noticed the option to “mention” someone in a Story, an exciting way to engage your followers and give peers a shout out! To take full advantage of this feature, it’s important to understand what an Instagram Story mention is, how to use it properly, and the benefits it can hold. With that in mind, here is a guide for using Instagram Story mentions, with some troubleshooting tips and best practices also included.
This article is a part of our series: A Comprehensive Glossary of Instagram Terms
Previous article: How to Mention Someone on Instagram: A Step-by-Step Guide
What Are Instagram Story Mentions?
An Instagram Story mentions is a feature that allows users to tag people in a photo or video they post in their story. The mention will appear as a clickable link — when someone taps on it, they will be shown the person’s profile. This feature is intended to help people feature their friends and family, as well as recognize brands and accounts who have inspired them.
When someone is mentioned in an Instagram Story, they will receive a notification. This allows them to view the story and respond if they choose. It also helps to increase engagement and visibility for the account that was mentioned. Additionally, Instagram Story mentions can be used to create a sense of community and connection between users.
How to Tag People in Your Instagram Story
Tagging someone in an Instagram Story is simple. After taking a photo or video, there is a sticker icon that says “mention” (it’s an @ sign). Click on this icon, start typing the name of the person or brand you want to mention, then select the correct profile from the list that appears. After selecting the person or brand, the mention will appear on your photo or video. You can also edit the mention you’ve chosen by moving it around or making it larger or smaller.
You can also tag people in your Instagram Story by swiping up on the screen and selecting the profile you want to mention. This is a great way to quickly tag someone without having to type out their name. Additionally, you can tag up to 10 people in a single story, so you can easily share your story with multiple people at once.
Benefits of Mentioning Someone in Your Instagram Story
Mentioning someone in an Instagram Story can have many advantages. For one, it allows users to create connection with other accounts by independently advertising for them, creating more exposure for brands but also encouraging friendships that may not have been made otherwise. Another benefit is that when someone tags their friends, their friends may be more likely to share their stories. Lastly, this feature can help people express themselves authentically, as they can share people or brands they’re passionate about with their followers.
Additionally, mentioning someone in an Instagram Story can help to increase engagement on the post. When someone is mentioned, they are likely to respond to the post, which can lead to more comments and likes. This can help to increase the visibility of the post, as it will be seen by more people. Furthermore, it can help to create a sense of community, as people will be more likely to interact with each other when they are mentioned.
Tips for Adding Impactful Mentions to Your Instagram Story
- Be intentional: Don’t mention just anyone — make sure it has a purpose!
- Leverage popular accounts: Tagging someone with a lot of followers can provide you with more visibility.
- Stay onpoint: For maximum impact, make sure your mention is relevant to your story.
- Engage with other accounts: Develop relationships with other accounts you mention and you may gain followers.
Additionally, you can use mentions to create a sense of community and collaboration. By mentioning other accounts, you can create a dialogue and encourage engagement with your story.
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Instagram Story Mentions
Oftentimes Instagram users experience difficulties when tagging people in their stories. One of the most frequent issues is not being able to find the “mention” sticker — it is important to remember that it can be found hidden among other options on the sticker menu. If you are still unable to locate it, it may be helpful to restart your phone or try a different browser. Another common issue is not being able to type in the person’s name — make sure there are no typos and restarting the app can help.
If you are still having trouble, it may be helpful to check if the person you are trying to mention has a private account. If they do, you will need to be approved as a follower before you can mention them. Additionally, if you are trying to mention someone who has a large number of followers, it may be difficult to find them in the search bar. In this case, it may be helpful to type in their username instead.
Best Practices for Using Instagram Story Mentions
- Make sure it’s relevant:It’s important to make sure your mentions are relevant and reflect you accurately.
- Be mindful of frequency: Try not to overuse mentions — your followers may get irritated!
- Tag appropriately: Make sure you are only tagging those who are relevant and want to be mentioned.
- Proofread: Before you post your story, double-check your mentions to make sure everything is accurate.
Additionally, it’s important to be aware of the context of the story you are mentioning someone in. Make sure the content is appropriate and won’t be seen as offensive or inappropriate.
Conclusion
Mentioning people and brands in an Instagram Story is a great way for users to engage with others and express themselves. While using mentions can increase interactions and followers, it’s important to always maintain professionalism and remember that not everyone wants to be tagged. With everything in mind, we hope this guide helped you understand Instagram Story mentions and how to use them without running into issues.
It’s also important to remember that when tagging someone in an Instagram Story, the post will appear on their profile and be visible to their followers. This means that it’s important to be mindful of the content you are sharing and make sure it is appropriate for the person you are tagging. Additionally, it’s important to be aware of the privacy settings of the person you are tagging, as they may not want their followers to see the post.
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