How to Tag Someone on an Instagram Photo or Send a Direct Message

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

Tagging someone on Instagram is pretty straightforward. If you’re viewing an Instagram photo you really like that you want to share with a friend, you can simply tag them in the comments and they'll receive a notification. But did you know you can also send an Instagram picture as a dm, or direct message? If you choose this option, it's more private because you don't have to mention them in the public comments. Let's learn how to direct message a picture on Instagram, or how to just tag someone on an Instagram photo without sending them a dm.

Related: How to Repost a Photo to Instagram

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How to Tag Someone on an Instagram Photo or Send a Direct Message

How to Tag a Friend on an Instagram Photo

So you've found a photo you know a friend will love, and want them to receive a notification so they can check it out, too. Ok, let's get started!

  • Tap on the speech bubble icon underneath the picture you'd like to comment on.
  • Type the @ symbol, followed by the Instagram username of the person you'd like to tag; make sure not to leave a space between your @ symbol and the username or it won't tag.
  • Tap Post.
how to tag on instagramhow do you tag on instagram
  • Now your friend will receive a notification so they can visit and enjoy the Instagram post, too!

Instagram Direct Message a Picture

You'd like a friend to see a photo, but you don't want a comment up where other Instagrammers can check it out, or for it to appear in Search, or on your profile. In other words, you'd like a bit of privacy! Not a problem, just follow the steps below.

  • Tap on the icon that looks like a paper airplane underneath the photo.
  • A Search bar will pop up, with suggestions underneath for friends you might want to message—you can include more than one person in each message.
how do you dm on instagraminstagram direct message
  • Once you've chosen who you'd like to direct message the picture to, click on the blank circle to the right of their username.
  • Now type your message into the text box, then tap Send.
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Author Details

Conner Carey's picture

Author Details

Conner Carey

Conner Carey's writing can be found at conpoet.com. She is currently writing a book, creating lots of content, and writing poetry via @conpoet on Instagram. She lives in an RV full-time with her mom, Jan and dog, Jodi as they slow-travel around the country.