Why can't I tag products on Instagram?
Usually one of four things: your catalog in Commerce Manager isn't eligible, your product links don't go to your own approved website domain, your account isn't active or has policy violations, or the tag is still in review or was rejected. Check each in the order below, then tag again.
Four checks, in this order
You have an eligible catalog
Instagram needs an eligible catalog in Commerce Manager before you can tag products. On Shopify, that's the catalog the Facebook and Instagram by Meta channel creates for you. If your products aren't in it, see Shopify products not on Facebook or Instagram.
Every product link goes to your own domain
The products you tag must link to one primary domain that you own, where they can be bought directly. Subdomains and regional domains are fine. Your domain must also be submitted for review and approved before you can tag anything.
Your account is in good standing
Instagram lets accounts tag products when they're active and haven't built up policy violations: active over the past 30 days with no more than 2 violations. Shops on Instagram are also only available in eligible countries.
The tag has passed review
Every tag is checked against Meta's Commerce Policies. It usually takes a few seconds but can take longer, and nobody else sees the tag while it's pending.
What you see, and the fix
| What you see | What it usually means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No Tag products option | There's no eligible catalog, or the account isn't eligible to tag yet. | Set up or connect your catalog in Commerce Manager, then check your account's standing. |
| A product won't come up in the tag search | Its link goes to a different domain from your primary one. | Change the product link to your primary domain. On Shopify, edit it in Shopify and it syncs to the catalog. |
| The tag shows only to you | It's still in review, or it was rejected. | Wait for the review, or open the tag to see if it was rejected. |
| A rejection notification | The product didn't pass Meta's Commerce Policies. | Tap the tag, then Request another review, or Remove product. |
| Tags missing from Stories or Reels posted by a scheduling tool | Other platforms can tag products in feed posts, but not in Stories, Reels or mentions. | Add those tags in the Instagram app. |
| Product links in your caption or bio stopped working | Instagram no longer lets you add product mentions and links there, and removed old links. | Use shopping tags on the post instead. |
As checked on : Instagram Help: about shopping tags on Instagram, Instagram Help: add shopping tags to Instagram posts, Instagram Help: troubleshoot a rejected product tag, Instagram Help: update the website domain for products in your catalog. From Instagram's own help pages (see Sources below).
If a tag was rejected
Open the post
Go to the photo, video or reel with the rejected tag. Rejected tags are only visible to you.
Ask for another review
Tap the tag, tap Request another review, then Request review. You get a notification when it's done.
Or remove it
If the product breaks the Commerce Policies, tap the tag and Remove product, then fix the product in your catalog before tagging it again.
How many products you can tag
- Up to 20 products and shops in a photo post.
- A carousel of up to 10 photos and videos can have 20 tags in total across all of them.
- You can add tags to new posts and to posts you've already shared.
- If you have a shop, products you tag are added to it automatically.
The easier way
- Socialhand reads your store's website and plans posts about your products for all 8 platforms, in your brand, so there's always something ready to tag.
- Write a product post once and the [AI social media post generator](/tools/ai-social-media-post-generator) gives you a version for each platform to try for free.
- Plans start at $97 a month for all 8 platforms, and you can try it free first.
Questions people ask
How long does Instagram take to approve a product tag?
Usually a few seconds, according to Instagram, but it can take longer. Nobody else sees the tag until it's approved.
Can a scheduling tool add product tags?
In feed posts, yes. Instagram says other platforms can't add product tags to Stories, Reels or mentions, so add those in the app.
Why does Instagram need my own domain?
Tagged products must lead to checkout on Instagram or to one primary domain you own, where they can be bought directly.
Sources
Read on . Prices and limits change, so check the page before you rely on a number.