How To Tag People on Social Media
Do you remember playing tag in elementary school? You would run around the playground and tap (tag) somebody so they would be IT. Then, they would have to chase others around and try to tag someone else not to lose the game.
If you are the last player that is tagged you lose the game. The last one tagged is called "IT."
It was fun back in the day and a great way to get to get your energies out at recess time.
Today, it seems this game goes on in the social media realm. Buy why? Is tagging on social media a game when you get tagged and are not mentioned where the tag came from? What's up with that?
Tagging the Right Way on Social Media
When someone tags you on social media the right way, it means that you were mentioned in the article they are sharing. Sometimes, it may mean that they wanted you to read something. Usually, if that is the case, they will preface it that way.
Therefore, being IT when tagged right on social media can be a wonderful thing 😊
How to Tag Others on Facebook
There are two ways as your personal Facebook and then there is the business page. In both instances you must be associated with who you are tagging.
Some people on Facebook have their privacy settings set up high, so they must approve your tag before it happens. Others don't let anyone tag them at all.
Personal Facebook
You must be friends with someone in order to tag them. You can start to type their name and the highlighted name will come up or you can start with a @ before their name.
Some people adjust their privacy settings, so they must approve your tag before it goes live. They may have received tags from others they didn't want in the past.
( Special note: Facebook posts must be set to public for you to embed like I have done below.)
Other times people like to share your photos or videos and when done right, they will tag you to give you credit.
Facebook Pages
Usually, to tag someone as your business page they must like or follow your Facebook page. The same principle applies as above.
You can start to type their name in or use the @ before it. This tag below came to a total surprise to me. But if Design Source Media Facebook Page did NOT tag me I may not have known Inspire to Thrive was mentioned here along with Donna Merrill and Ryan Biddulph.
Tagging other business pages is a great way to interact with them and their audience.
Twitter Tagging
With Twitter you don't have to be following people to tag them. Oftentimes, it depends on the settings there as well for tagging to happen. Here is a great way example of how to tag people on social media via Twitter.
How to write Engaging Tweets With These 9 Expert Suggestions for more leads, followers.Experts included @madalynsklar @keithkeller @LisaPatb @join2manish https://t.co/STF0KUjhxm #growthhacking, #marketing pic.twitter.com/gPCzvd75MY
- SociAlert (@socialertdotnet) November 7, 2018
RT @Lisapatb Another very thought provoking post from Lisa at Inspire To Thrive. Well worth reading. https://t.co/awMsw3WdZr
- Will Helton (@WillHeltonCom) November 6, 2018
Some people can have their settings set so you can't tag their photos. With Twitter is the @ before the name. That's a must there! You cannot just type in their name as you could sometimes on Facebook.
Instagram Tagging
Instagram works the same way as Twitter in the sense you must use the @ before their username. You may not be able to tag those who have their profiles set to private. Such a bummer!
Why do so many people in business have their Instagram profiles set to private? It boggled my mind until I realized they did not have a business Instagram account. That's a shame!
LinkedIn Tagging
LinkedIn lets you tag others when you are connected to them. The same principle applies there as on Facebook.
You can start to type someone's name to see it highlighted or start with the @ before their name. Once the name becomes highlighted in blue you know the person has been tagged and mentioned.
When Tagging Goes Astray on Social Media
Lately I've been noticing many tagging me on Twitter - with a tweet that says if I don't follow them, they will stop follow me. Is that the type of person I want to be followed by, I wonder? I don't think so and I don't follow them for that reason.
Follow back please
- Blogging Babes Club 🌠 (@Bloggingbabex) November 10, 2018
Can u give me friend request in tweeter Lisa madam pls
- Justinabraham79@gmai (@justinabraham98) November 6, 2018
Another annoying tagging scenario is when someone tags you all the time. I see this on Instagram more often with some clients I manage. Every post of theirs they tag them, why? If it is a business partner, I may be polite and like their post, but it doesn't make me want to share it. Especially if they never share ours! Reciprocity is the epitome of social media.
Oftentimes, on Facebook I get tagged on a blog post that has nothing to do with me. It's a newbie blogger who wants me to read their latest post. A better way would be to mention me in their post or come and leave a comment at my blog, right?
How to Tag People on Social Media Properly is Key
Tagging done right on social media is a wonderful thing. It works for everyone involved in the tagging process.
Hence, tagging the right way makes people happy. 😊 They are grateful for recognition that they have received. It also can bring people together. Oftentimes on LinkedIn these tags promote conversations.
Oftentimes, on Twitter when folks are tagged from a post mention it generates more retweets and comments as well.
RT @DebraUlrich "Honored 2be included: #Top55 #SocialMediaMarketing #Influencers 2Follow.. https://t.co/xoCqr8rWSj/ via @Statusbrew @jeffbullas @annhandley @MadalynSklar @Lisapatb @RyanBiddulph @mike_allton @NealSchaffer @larrykim @sujanpatel @johnrampton @adamjayc."
~@mosclement- Diane Bianca Kānêza Muhīndo⚡ (@KanezaDiane) November 13, 2018
How Do You Tag People on Social Media?
How do you respond to improper tagging on social media? Do you tag others often? I'd love to know more and discuss in the comments below!