You can edit the caption, location, and alt text of a post after publishing, but not the image or video itself
Instagram lets you change the words and details of a post without deleting it and starting over. You can edit the caption (the text below your image), add or change the location tag, update the alt text that describes the image to people using screen readers, and turn comments on or off. The one thing you cannot change is the actual image or video — if you need a different photo, you have to delete the post and upload a new one.
The edit option appears in the same menu where you would delete or archive a post. Instagram does not notify your followers that you edited something, so changes happen silently. There is no version history or record of what the caption said before you changed it.
Key Takeaways
- Open the post you want to edit, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select "Edit" from the menu.
- You can change the caption, location tag, and alt text, but the image or video itself cannot be edited after posting.
- Edits take effect immediately and your followers will not see a notification that you made a change.
- If you need to change the actual photo or video, delete the post and upload a new one instead.
How to edit a caption on Instagram
Open the post on your profile or in your feed. Tap the three dots (or three horizontal lines on some phones) in the top right corner of the post. A menu will appear with several options — select "Edit" from this menu.
The caption editing screen will open. You can now change any of the text, add hashtags, mention other accounts, or remove words entirely. Make your changes and tap "Done" when you are finished. The updated caption will appear immediately on the post.
How to edit location, alt text, and other post details
From the same edit menu, you can change the location tag by tapping the location field and searching for a new place, or removing the location entirely by clearing the field. You can also edit the alt text, which is the description that screen readers use to tell people with vision loss what is in the image.
To edit alt text, tap "Edit alt text" in the edit menu. Type a clear, specific description of what appears in the image — for example, "three people sitting on a bench in the park" rather than just "friends." This text is not visible on the post itself, but it makes your content more accessible. You can also toggle comments on or off for the post from this same menu.
What you cannot edit after posting
The image or video file itself cannot be changed once the post is live. If you uploaded the wrong photo, posted a blurry video, or want to use a different image entirely, you will need to delete the post and upload a new one. Deleting removes the post from your profile, your followers' feeds, and any likes or comments it received.
You also cannot change who is tagged in the photo after posting — you can only add or remove tags. If someone is tagged and you want to remove them, tap the three dots, select "Edit," and then tap the tagged person's name to untag them.
How edits appear to other people
When you edit a caption or other details, the changes show up right away for anyone viewing the post. There is no "edited" label or notification sent to people who already saw the original version. If someone liked or commented on your post before you edited it, their like or comment stays there — they do not disappear when you change the caption.
This means you can fix typos, add context, or change your message without your followers knowing the post looked different before. Instagram does not keep a public record of what you changed or when.
Editing posts on the Instagram app versus the website
The edit process is the same whether you use the Instagram app on your phone or the Instagram website on a computer. Open the post, tap or click the three dots, and select "Edit." On a computer, the three dots appear in the top right corner of the post when you hover over it.
Some features like editing alt text work the same way on both platforms. If you are having trouble finding the edit option, make sure you are viewing your own post — you can only edit posts you created, not posts from other accounts.
When you might want to delete and repost instead
If you want to change the image or video, you have no choice but to delete and repost. Keep in mind that deleting a post removes all the likes, comments, and engagement it had. If a post has been up for a while and has significant interaction, you might want to think about whether the change is worth losing that history.
You might also want to delete and repost if you made a major mistake in the caption and want to start fresh, or if you want to change the order of your photos in a carousel post. Editing only changes the text — it does not rearrange the images.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit a post after someone has commented on it?
Yes. You can edit the caption, location, and alt text at any time, whether the post has zero comments or hundreds. The comments stay in place and do not disappear when you edit the caption. Your edit will not notify the people who commented.
Will my followers see that I edited a post?
No. Instagram does not show an "edited" label on posts or send notifications when you make changes. Only you can see that a post was edited — there is no public record of what the caption said before you changed it.
Can I edit a post I shared to my story?
No. Stories disappear after 24 hours and cannot be edited. If you need to change something in a story, you have to delete it and post a new one. Regular feed posts and reels can be edited, but stories cannot.
What happens to likes and comments if I edit a post?
They stay exactly where they are. Editing the caption, location, or alt text does not affect likes or comments. They remain on the post and are visible to anyone viewing it after you make changes.
Can I edit a carousel post to remove one of the photos?
No. You cannot remove, add, or rearrange photos in a carousel post after it is published. If you need to change which images are in the post, delete it and upload a new carousel with the photos in the order you want.