How to create a custom location on Instagram + tips

Content Marketer and Writer
Updated August 09, 2023
Julia Moore
Content Marketer and Writer
After visiting an interesting place, you want to show your subscribers not only what it was like, but also how to find it. At this point, you may find out that the place is unknown to the social network. Learn how to create a new location on Instagram. At the end, we will tell you how to tag several custom locations at a time.
Reading time — 8 minutes

How to create a new location on Instagram

You can create a location on Instagram only by using Facebook. Make a custom geotag there, and it becomes available to all users in both social networks. 

Create a custom location on Facebook

A location for Instagram can be created from your FB profile page. Let’s see an example with a recently opened store, which hasn’t got its location tag on any of these platforms.

  1. Tap What’s on your mind?.
  2. Choose Check In in the opened window.
  3. Choose Add a new place
  4. Fill the Place name field. 
  5. Tap the map.
  6. Move the red tag across the map to have it in the right place. 
  7. Tap Save.
  8. Tap Save Custom Place.

You will see a map widget in the creating post interface. No need to publish it. 

You can’t delete a location on Facebook, but you and other users can report it. If you provided wrong information, or your tag violates the terms of use, it will be deleted by Facebook.

Post with the new location on Instagram

Now you can go to Instagram and post with the location you've just created. One post can have only one location tag.

Create a new IG post

When you create an Instagram post, you tag a location on the last page.

  1. Tap Add Location
  2. Type the name of your custom location in the search box.
  3. Choose the name.

If you write a unique location name when creating it, you find it on Instagram quickly. To make sure you choose the right tag, tap it in the posting menu, or under your username after publishing.

You can see the exact position of the tag in the opened Google Maps. After posting, you can see the location tag on a map too.

Upload a story with the custom location tag

You can put a location sticker on your Instagram story. The list of the available places is the same as you see in posts. You will find your custom address among them.

  1. Tap the stickers icon.
  2. Choose the location sticker
  3. Type the name of the place in the search box.
  4. Choose the custom place you created. 

The sticker with your custom location will appear in your Instagram story. You can tap it to change it. 

Why you can’t create a new location for Instagram

When you create a location, it usually becomes available on Facebook and Instagram right away. But sometimes, it make take a while or never appear on the list. Don't worry! We have several solutions for you.

Wait for the created location to appear on Instagram

Sometimes tags appear not so fast. When we wrote this article, we also created a location, and it appeared on Facebook and Instagram in 4 days. Though, it might be not your case, so, if your custom location hasn't appeared on the lists, you can try the solutions below. 

Turn off the location on your phone

Facebook may prohibit creating new location tags for places that are far from your real location. Turn off the location on your phone, if you need to create a tag removed from your current place.

On Instagram, you see locations that are close to you. Turn on location on your phone if you can't see a location near you.

Post something with your custom location tag

You don't have to post on FB with your custom location to make it available on Instagram's locations list. But it may be a solution if your created geotag doesn't appear on the lists.

Specify a category for your Instagram location

You can set a category to your new location when you create or edit it, this may make the tag appear on Instagram. It will also help users to find you. For example, you wrote a shop name "Pinpay" in the tag name, then you better specify that you sell clothes in the category. Thus, a user finds you when searching for clothes.

Geotags without a category are often rejected. To specify a category, first, make a tag and post something with it.

  1. Tap the created location
  2. Disclose the three dots menu.
  3. Choose Suggest Edits.
  4. Tap +Add category in the Category section.
  5. Tap Add category in the new window.
  6. Type a word related to your field in the search box
  7. Choose a category from the suggested list
  8. Tap Save.

Custom location in your Instagram bio

While you are waiting for the address to appear on the list, you can add a location to your Instagram bio. You can put almost any location you want there, and also state a ZIP code or the name of your company.

This custom location will be a clickable link that Instagram users can follow. But you should know they will get to a maps app, not the page with posts. Of course, it works a bit different from when you create a custom location for Instagram posts or Stories. Still, it works perfectly as a last resort or while you are waiting.  

Share locations on Instagram without Facebook

The methods below allow you to add your location on Instagram without Facebook. You won't have to create a new custom one, but you can set any address or location link you want.

Photos and videos of the location

Post your created location in a carousel or several Instagram Stories. Share a map with the tag after photos and videos of a place you want to show. Or you can record a video of how to arrive at a place from a popular spot in your city. 

Pin Instagram posts with custom locations and maps to the top of your profile page, and the stories can be saved to Instagram Highlights. User can easily notice and view them to figure out a way to your store. 

Maps and location links in your Instagram bio

You can use the link in your bio to share locations with Instagram followers in social media. Create a Taplink landing page and put a link to it in your Instagram bio. You can create one or more maps on it. And you can put one or more locations on each of them.

Location tags are created using precise coordinates or addresses. You can copy the coordinates in Google Maps. Use the format with dots and without other symbols. For example, 40.741469, -73.988478. You should type the full name of the address. For example, 89 Bleecker St, New York. Look how we use it on a wedding website.

You can zoom in and out the maps, move it and the tag. Thus, you can place a tag manually, or clarify its place after adding it. For example, show exactly where the entrance is.

You can create a stylish page with custom locations for your Instagram bio in less than 10 minutes if you use templates. For instance, try this or this template with interactive maps. They are available after a sign-up.

Share a custom location on your Instagram landing page:

  1. Open blocks on a landing page.
  2. Choose the Maps block.
  3. Set coordinates or a place address
  4. Tap Add marker
  5. Type any name and description you want.

Repeat steps 3-5 if you need more locations on this map.

06. Tap Save changes

You can write text, and place pictures and videos near every map. For example, you can explain how to get to a place. It will also be useful to explain what Instagram users will find at every address you share. 

In a personal Instagram blog, it may be a list of your favorite places, shops or cafés. On a business page, you may show all your offices.

Here are examples in the editor interface.

When an Instagram user taps your custom location, they are redirected to Google Maps. They get to the place you tagged. 

In fact, there is much more to Instagram link in bio pages. You can add not only custom locations, but also contact buttons, like WhatsApp chat link for example. You can also link to your other social profiles, for example, link to your TikTok profile or video. And you can design a campaign to get clients.

Sign up for free to create a page with maps and location links for your Instagram bio and share your custom addresses with users.

The bottom line

The only way to create a location on Instagram is by Facebook. The place will be available for all users on both social networks. But there are more ways to share a precise location with users.

Post a map with a geotag or a video to show your subscribers where a place is. This is a good way if Facebook hasn’t confirmed your location yet.

Create and share multiple custom locations on your Instagram link in bio page. This page makes your bio more than just 150 characters. You share locations, photos, videos, and many more with your followers using it.