Location Not Showing Up On Instagram

This post was updated on Jan 25, 2021.

Instagram Location

If you're looking to create a new location to tag on Instagram you're in the right place.

In this post, I share the step-by-step instructions on how to create a new location on Instagram.

Before you get started

Unfortunately this past year (2020) I've heard from a number of organisations that are seeing varying success with the first method below. Instagram's official stance on the creation of new locations is "No, you can't create a new location on Instagram.". Unfortunately the key aspect to having your location added to Instagram is time. For businesses looking to create a location on Instagram quickly and reliably I'd recommend the second method through Business Manager & Page locations.

Let's get started

Previously Instagram allowed users to quickly and easily create new locations as they were uploading their photos natively in the Instagram App – the good old days.

But since 2015 a lot of users and business owners have been left shaking their heads. Here we have two workarounds, using the Facebook App, to create new locations to tag on Instagram. Skip ahead to the step by step instructions below:

I just want to add a custom Instagram location
I want to add a custom Instagram location linked to my Facebook business page

Add a custom Instagram location

When the location you're looking for doesn't exist, move over to Facebook where we'll create a new location in less than 5 minutes which will then allow you to tag them in Instagram.

Login to Facebook
Tap 'Check In' at the top of your Facebook feed
Enter the name of the location you're trying to add – ensuring to use capitals
Tap "Add <new location>…" at the bottom of the search results
Choose a relevant category for your location
Tap Create
Post your check-in to Facebook
Search for your new 'place' using Facebook's search filtering
Claim your place by clicking on the 'Is this your business?' tag (see below)

By following the above steps your new location should be added to Facebook – jump over to Instagram and try it out!

Note:We've been told of situations where this can take up to 2-4 weeks – if at all – to reflect in Instagram's location database – make sure to 'claim' your page, through the 'Is this your business?' and work with several colleagues or friends to 'check-in' at the newly created location.

Add a custom Instagram location linked to your Facebook business page

One Location

Login to Facebook using the Facebook account with administrator access to your Facebook business page – this may be easier on a desktop computer
Go to your page and tap edit page
Scroll to the about section of your page and tap edit page
Tap save
Enter the name of the location you're trying to add – ensuring to use capitals
Tap "Add <new location>…" at the bottom of the search results
Choose a relevant category for your location
Tap Create
Post your check-in to Facebook

Note: Your page may not allow an address if you don't have an appropriate category – play around with a few that closely represent your business.

Multiple Locations

If your business operates from multiple locations follow the below instructions so that you're able to better manage your locations through your Business Manager account.

Login to Facebook using the Facebook account with administrator access to your Facebook Business Manager – this may be easier on a desktop computer
Go to Business Manager
Click on the 'mega menu' in the top left and select 'Business Locations' under Assets – you may need to request locations access here
Click 'Set Up Multiple Locations'
Select your main page – this should be the page that represents all locations and click continue
Follow the prompts to create your new location/s

How'd you go?

And there you have it! You're brand new Instagram location.

Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below.