Being tagged in a customer or client’s Instagram post or Reel can be an effective form of organic marketing, but capitalising on that content has historically been complicated. Adding that content to your main profile grid required organising permission before posting, or manually re-uploading the content. But, with Instagram’s latest update, that’s changing.
What is Instagram’s latest feature?
Instagram’s latest update allows users and brand accounts to display the posts and Reels they’ve been tagged in on their primary profile grid. Unlike the existing Invite Collaborator feature, which requires co-authorship approval before a post goes live, this new feature can be used on posts that have already been published. This means if a customer shares an authentic, positive review of one of your products or services, you can now add that post or Reel directly to your Instagram profile.
According to TechCrunch, adding a tagged post to your Instagram grid does not create a duplicate post or transfer ownership. The original creator remains credited as the author, the original post’s privacy settings remain the same, and all engagement metrics, such as likes and comments, go directly to the original creator’s post. This new feature simply gives you a way to feature authentic customer content on your main feed, without needing to screenshot, resize or manually re-upload original files.
How can I add tagged photos to my profile?
When another user tags your handle in a post, you can easily add the tagged photo or Reel to your profile by selecting ‘Add to grid’ straight from the post, DM notification, or your tagged tab. The post should instantly display on your primary profile feed, but will appear alongside a subtle tag icon in the corner of the image.
If you ever want to refresh your feed down the line, you can remove a tagged post by clicking the post options and selecting ‘Remove from profile grid’. This will remove it from your grid layout, but leaves the original tagged post in your tagged tab.
What type of tagged content should I add to my Instagram profile?
While it may be tempting to add every positive mention to your main Instagram profile, curation and moderation are key. Your profile is an important digital asset, so every post you share should align with your brand’s overall strategy and visual identity.
When deciding which tagged photos or Reels to feature, consider:
- Industry partner and event collaborations: Feature mentions from co-hosted events, local business partnerships, or industry awards that reinforce your authority and market presence.
- High-quality customer or client reviews: Prioritise posts that clearly showcase your product or service in action and provide genuine value to prospective customers or clients.
- Content that complements your aesthetic: Choose posts that naturally fit or elevate your existing feed layout, keeping your overall grid visually cohesive.
Why is authentic content important for socials?
Today, consumers demand relatability and authenticity. A whitepaper by The Insiders revealed that Australian consumers prefer organic user-generated content (UGC) over polished, brand-curated posts, citing that UGC content drives 42% greater effectiveness and 6.9 times higher engagement than traditional branded posts. Alongside helping build customer trust and brand authenticity, tagged social posts are a great way to:
- Extend the lifespan of campaign mentions: Adding tagged posts to your main Instagram grid keeps valuable customer activations, event recaps, and PR mentions visible long after the campaign or news cycle ends.
- Encourage future customer engagement: Featuring real customers or clients on your grid shows your audience that your brand values its community, creating a strong incentive for others to tag your business in their own posts.
- Reduce friction in the buyer journey: Presenting authentic product usage alongside your brand content can help address any questions that cause potential buyers to hesitate before taking the next step.
Ultimately, your Instagram profile is a powerful tool for establishing trust and brand authenticity with your audience. By adding authentic UGC content to your feed, you can leverage customer engagement into one of your strongest marketing assets.
