Creating a location on Instagram puts your business, event, or landmark on the map so people can find and tag it
Instagram locations let you mark a specific place — a restaurant, park, concert venue, or your home address — so other users can tag posts there and discover what's happening at that spot. If a location doesn't exist yet, you can create it yourself. The process takes about five minutes and requires only the location's name, address, and a category.
Once you create a location, anyone on Instagram can tag posts there. This means your business or venue gets a dedicated page where customers and visitors can leave photos and reviews. You don't need to own the business or have special permissions — you just need to be logged into Instagram and have accurate information about the place.
Key Takeaways
- You create a location by starting a post, tapping the location field, searching for the place, and selecting "Add a New Location" if it doesn't exist.
- You'll need the location's name, street address, city, and a category like "Restaurant" or "Park" — Instagram will verify the information before publishing.
- Once created, the location page shows all posts tagged there and can be edited later if you made a mistake or need to update details.
- Instagram may reject locations that are too vague, duplicate existing ones, or appear to be spam, so use the exact official name and address.
The step-by-step process for adding a new location
Start by opening Instagram and creating a new post. Take or upload a photo, then tap the location field — it's the text box that says "Add location" and sits below the caption area. Type the name of the place you want to create.
If the location already exists, you'll see it in the dropdown list. If it doesn't, keep typing the full name and you'll see an option that says "Add a New Location" at the bottom of the search results. Tap that option.
Instagram will ask you to fill in the address details: street address, city, state or region, and postal code. Choose the category that best matches the place — "Restaurant," "Park," "Museum," "Gym," "Home," or dozens of others. Be as specific and accurate as possible, because Instagram uses this information to verify the location is real and not a duplicate.
Once you've filled in all the fields, tap "Add" or "Done." Instagram will review your submission, usually within a few hours to a day. If approved, the location goes live and you can tag posts there. If rejected, you'll see a notification explaining why — often because the address was incomplete, the name was misspelled, or a similar location already exists.
What information Instagram requires for a new location
The location name should be the official name of the business, venue, or landmark — not a nickname or slang version. For example, use "The Metropolitan Museum of Art," not "The Met" or "MoMA." Instagram matches new locations against existing ones to avoid duplicates, so exact names matter.
The street address must be complete and accurate. Instagram uses this to place the location on a map and to check whether it's a real, physical place. A partial address like "Main Street" won't work; you need the building number and full street name. For parks, landmarks, or large venues, use the main entrance address or the official mailing address.
The category tells Instagram what type of place it is. Choose from options like "Restaurant," "Café," "Bar," "Gym," "Park," "Museum," "Hotel," "School," "Home," "Event," or "Other." Pick the one that best describes the location's primary purpose. If none fit perfectly, "Other" is acceptable, but being specific helps other users find the location more easily.
Why Instagram might reject your location submission
Instagram rejects locations that are too vague or don't match a real, physical place. If you submit a location with an incomplete address, a misspelled name, or a city that doesn't match the address, it will be rejected. Always double-check spelling and make sure the street address is correct before submitting.
Duplicate locations are another common reason for rejection. If a location already exists on Instagram — even with slightly different spelling or formatting — Instagram will reject your submission to keep the map clean. Before creating a new location, search carefully for variations of the name. A restaurant called "Joe's Pizza" might already exist as "Joe's Pizzeria" or "Joe's Pizza Parlor."
Locations that appear to be spam or fake are rejected immediately. This includes made-up place names, addresses that don't exist, or locations created solely to promote a product or service rather than mark a real place. Instagram's automated systems and human reviewers flag these submissions.
How to edit or update a location after it's created
If you made a mistake when creating the location — misspelled the name, entered the wrong address, or chose the wrong category — you can request changes. Go to the location's page by tapping on any post tagged there, then tap the three-dot menu and select "Report Location." Choose "It has incorrect information" and describe what needs to be fixed.
Instagram will review your report and may update the location if the correction is valid. This process can take several days. If the location has major errors or is completely fake, you can also report it as spam or misleading, though that's more appropriate if someone else created it maliciously.
For business owners, Instagram offers a more direct route: claim the location through Instagram Business. Once you claim a business location, you can edit the address, phone number, website, and hours directly from your business profile. This requires verifying that you own or manage the business.
The difference between creating a location and claiming a business
Creating a location means adding a new place to Instagram's map so anyone can tag posts there. Claiming a location means taking ownership of an existing business page so you can edit details, respond to messages, and see insights about who's visiting your page.
If you're the owner or manager of a business, restaurant, gym, or other commercial space, you should claim the location rather than just create it. To claim a business location, go to your Instagram profile, tap "Edit Profile," scroll down to "Professional Dashboard," and select "Accounts." Then tap "Switch to Professional Account" if you haven't already, and follow the prompts to claim your business.
Claiming gives you control over what information appears on your location page and lets you see how many people have visited your page, saved it, or called your business from Instagram. Creating a location is useful if you're just tagging a place for a post and the location doesn't exist yet — but if you own the business, claiming it is the better long-term choice.
Common mistakes to avoid when creating a location
Using a nickname or shortened version of the name is the most common mistake. Instagram's system looks for exact matches, so "The Met" won't be recognized as "The Metropolitan Museum of Art," and your submission may be rejected or create a duplicate. Always use the official, full name.
Entering an incomplete or incorrect address is another frequent problem. If you're not sure of the exact street address, look it up on Google Maps or the business's website before submitting. A wrong address will cause rejection and waste time.
Creating a location for something that isn't a physical place is also rejected. Instagram locations are for real, specific places — not for abstract concepts, online services, or events that don't have a fixed address. You can create a location for "Central Park" but not for "Online Shopping" or "Zoom Meeting."
Submitting duplicate locations happens when you don't search thoroughly before creating. Before tapping "Add a New Location," search for variations of the name — try the business name alone, with the city, with different spelling, and with common abbreviations. If you find a match, use that instead of creating a new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a location for my home address?
Yes, Instagram allows home locations. You can create one by entering your street address and selecting "Home" as the category. However, consider your privacy — once created, anyone can tag posts at your home location, and it will appear on Instagram's map. Many people choose not to create home locations for this reason.
How long does it take for Instagram to approve a new location?
Most locations are approved within a few hours to one day. Instagram uses automated systems and human reviewers to check that the information is accurate and the location isn't a duplicate. If your submission is rejected, you'll receive a notification explaining why, and you can try again with corrected information.
What if the location I want to create already exists but with a different name?
Search Instagram for all possible variations of the name before creating a new location. If you find an existing location that matches the place you want to tag, use that one instead. If the existing location has incorrect information, report it and request an update rather than creating a duplicate.
Can I delete a location I created?
Instagram doesn't offer a direct delete option for locations you created. However, if a location is spam, fake, or violates Instagram's rules, you can report it through the location page. If the location has very few posts and is clearly a mistake, you can also request removal by reporting it as incorrect information.
Do I need a business account to create a location?
No, any Instagram account can create a location. You don't need a business account, verification badge, or special permissions. However, if you own a business and want to manage the location's details and see insights, switching to a business account and claiming the location is recommended.