So, you want to learn how to tag someone on LinkedIn? It’s refreshingly simple. Just type the @ symbol and start typing the name of the person or company. A little dropdown list will pop up—just click the right one, and you're set.
But don't let that simplicity fool you. This one small action is your ticket to massively boosting your visibility and starting real conversations on the platform.
Why Tagging on LinkedIn Is Your Secret Weapon
Tagging someone on LinkedIn does more than just send them a notification. It’s a strategic tap on the shoulder that tells the algorithm, "Hey, this content is worth talking about." When you tag a person or a company, you’re not just name-dropping; you're actively pulling them and their entire network into your conversation.
It’s a powerful ripple effect.
Think about it like this: every post is a chance to start a discussion. By tagging the right people, you're inviting key players to the table—people who can lend their credibility, share their own thoughts, and help spread your message far and wide. This instantly broadens your post's reach well beyond your own circle of connections.
The Real Impact of a Simple @ Mention
The benefits you get from smart, strategic tagging are both clear and measurable. It's not about just getting more eyeballs on your content; it's about getting the right eyeballs on it.
Here’s a breakdown of what happens when you get the hang of tagging:
- Boosted Visibility: Your post doesn't just live on your feed. It shows up in the feeds of the people you tagged, giving you instant exposure to their networks.
- Increased Engagement: Tagged folks get a direct notification, which makes them much more likely to jump in with a like, comment, or share. That early interaction is gold for the LinkedIn algorithm.
- Stronger Relationships: Tagging is a public high-five. Whether you're giving credit to a colleague, shouting out a mentor, or quoting an industry expert, it’s a fantastic way to build and reinforce your professional relationships.
The numbers don't lie. LinkedIn’s engagement rate is a whopping 6.50% on average, and from my experience, posts that kick off conversations with a few well-placed tags almost always outperform those that don't.
Tagging turns a monologue into a dialogue. It’s the difference between shouting into the void and starting a meaningful conversation in a crowded room.
And for a truly powerful strategy, don't stop at tagging people. Understanding how to use hashtags effectively is just as crucial for getting your content discovered.
When you pair relevant tags with smart hashtags, you've got a killer combo for maximizing your presence. To really get this down, check out our deep dive into boosting your LinkedIn engagement rate.
How to Actually Tag People and Companies on LinkedIn
Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. Knowing how to properly tag someone or a company on LinkedIn is a core skill for anyone serious about networking on the platform. The good news? It’s super simple and works the same way whether you’re writing a post, dropping a comment, or publishing a full-blown article.
It all starts with a single character: the @ symbol.
Just type @ into any text box on LinkedIn, and you'll immediately see a little menu pop up, ready to help you find who you're looking for.
As you start typing the name of the person or company right after the @, that menu will instantly filter with suggestions. It’s pretty intuitive and pulls from your network and recent interactions.
Finding the Right Profile
Most of the time, the person you want will show up after just a few keystrokes. Typing "@John Do" will almost always surface your connection John Doe right away. Click his name from the list, and voila—the tag is set. You'll see their name turn into bold blue text in your draft.
But what happens when the person you want to tag is playing hard to get?
- Get More Specific: If you're trying to tag someone with a common name, typing their full name without a space (like "@JaneSmith") can sometimes work better. You can also try adding a keyword from their headline.
- Check Their Privacy Settings: On rare occasions, a user might have their privacy settings locked down, preventing people they aren't connected with from tagging them. Not much you can do there, unfortunately.
- Tagging Company Pages: This works exactly the same way. Just start with "@" and the company's name. This is a must-do when you're shouting out a current or former employer, a client, or a business you admire. If your own company isn't popping up, you might need to give it a proper page. You can learn how to create a company profile on LinkedIn at https://redactai.io/blog/how-to-create-a-company-profile-on-linkedin.
A Quick Tip from Experience: Made a mistake or forgot someone? Don't sweat it. You can always go back and edit your post to add or remove tags. Just hit the three dots on your published post, click "Edit," and make your changes. The one thing you can't do is tag someone directly on an image itself; the tag has to live in the text.
Since you'll be doing a lot of tagging in conversations, brushing up on effective commenting practices on LinkedIn will help you make a much bigger impact.
Don't Be That Person: Tagging Without Being Spammy
Knowing how to tag on LinkedIn is easy. Knowing when to tag? That's where the real pros stand out. It's a powerful tool, but get it wrong, and your post instantly feels like spam. People will tune you out faster than you can say "algorithm."
The golden rule is simple: only tag people and companies that are genuinely relevant to the conversation.
Think of a tag as a direct invitation. Are you pulling someone into a conversation they'd actually find interesting? Tagging a long list of influencers on a post that has nothing to do with them, just hoping for a signal boost, is the digital equivalent of cold-calling someone at dinnertime. It’s annoying, and it almost never works.
Instead, your focus should always be on adding value. The goal is to make the person you tagged feel seen and appreciated, not used as a pawn for engagement. This is a fundamental part of learning how to network effectively and building relationships that last.
When Tagging Makes Sense
So, what are the green lights for tagging someone? Here are a few real-world scenarios where a tag builds a bridge instead of burning one:
- Giving Credit: Did a coworker go above and beyond on that project you're celebrating? Tag them and share the spotlight. It's a simple, powerful way to show appreciation.
- Citing an Expert: If you're sharing a fantastic quote from an industry leader's article or speech, tag them! It shows you're engaged with their work and respect their expertise.
- Continuing the Dialogue: Maybe a comment from someone sparked a whole new idea for a post. Tag them and give them a shout-out for the inspiration.
- Highlighting Your Team: Posting about a joint venture, a webinar with guest speakers, or a big team win? Tag everyone who was part of it. It’s all about shared success.
When you tag with purpose, you're not just getting eyeballs; you're building a community. LinkedIn’s algorithm loves genuine conversation, and strategic tagging is a fantastic way to kickstart it. In fact, some data shows that tagged posts invite more comments, with video content seeing up to a 5x increase in engagement. You can dig deeper into the LinkedIn algorithm on botdog.co.
My rule of thumb: If you can remove the tag and the post's meaning or context doesn't change at all, you probably didn't need it in the first place.
Ultimately, your reputation is built on how you treat people. Use tags thoughtfully, and your mentions will become a welcome notification, not a reason to hit the mute button.
Going Pro: Strategic Tagging for Marketers and Job Seekers
Alright, you've got the hang of the basics. Now, let's talk about turning a simple @-mention into a serious tool for professional growth. Whether you're trying to land a new client or get your foot in the door for your dream job, knowing how and when to tag on LinkedIn can be a game-changer.
Getting on a B2B Marketer’s Radar
For anyone in B2B marketing, this is your chance to catch a key decision-maker's attention without sending another cold email. The trick is to lead with value.
Find a compelling industry insight or a piece of content that directly addresses a known challenge for a company you're targeting. When you share it, add a thoughtful tag. Something like, "Fantastic breakdown of supply chain efficiency from the team at @CompanyName. That point on AI-driven logistics really stood out—a topic I know @DecisionMakerName has covered before."
See what that does? It’s not a sales pitch. It’s a subtle, value-first approach that positions you as an informed peer who's paying attention.
Making an Impression as a Job Seeker
Job seekers can run the exact same play. Stumbled upon an article celebrating a big win at a company you'd love to work for? Share it.
Add a genuine comment like, "So impressed with the innovative work @TargetCompany is doing on their latest project. The leadership of @HiringManagerName is clearly making a huge impact."
This little move accomplishes so much. It shows you've done your homework and have a real interest in the company, putting your name right in front of the people who matter, all in a positive light.
The most effective tags never ask for anything. They're all about giving recognition, contributing to the conversation, and showing that you're genuinely engaged with the leaders and companies you admire.
Learning to do this well is B2B gold. After all, LinkedIn is where a staggering 80% of social media B2B leads come from, making it an essential channel for professionals.
Tagging decision-makers in personalized, value-driven posts gets you an instant notification on their screen, which is huge. With 96% of B2B marketers already using LinkedIn to share content, a strategic tag helps you cut through the noise and drive real engagement. You can dive deeper into these powerful LinkedIn statistics on Kinsta.
Strategic Tagging Scenarios
Not all tags are created equal. Your goal dictates your strategy. Here’s a quick breakdown of how to approach tagging based on what you want to achieve.
| Goal | Who to Tag | Example Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| Build Authority | Industry experts, thought leaders, influential publications. | You share a research report and tag the author or the research firm, adding your own key takeaway to spark a discussion. |
| Generate Leads | A key decision-maker at a prospective client company. | You share a case study relevant to their industry’s challenges and tag them with a note like, "This might be interesting for you." |
| Network & Job Seek | Hiring managers, recruiters, or team leads at a target company. | You share a post celebrating a company milestone and tag a key person, congratulating them on their team's success. |
| Show Gratitude | A collaborator, mentor, or a speaker from an event you attended. | You post a photo from a conference and tag the speaker, thanking them for their insightful session and sharing what you learned. |
Ultimately, the best strategy is always rooted in authenticity. Tag people to add value and build real relationships, not just to get attention. When you do that, the results will follow.
Can't Find Someone When Tagging? Here’s What to Do
We’ve all been there. You type the "@" symbol, start typing a name you know is right, and… crickets. The person you want to tag is nowhere to be found in that little dropdown menu. It's a super common and annoying LinkedIn quirk, but thankfully, the fix is usually pretty simple.
Don't just give up and delete the "@". The best trick I've found is to type their full name without any spaces. So, for Jane Doe, you'd type "@JaneDoe". Often, that's enough to jog LinkedIn's memory. If she still doesn't pop up, add a keyword from her professional headline right after her name, like "@JaneDoe contentstrategist". This extra clue almost always helps the platform find the exact person you're looking for.
Why Your Tag Might Still Be Failing
If that little trick doesn't solve it, there are a few other culprits that could be messing things up.
- They've Blocked It: Some users adjust their privacy settings to prevent anyone from tagging them. If that's the case, you're out of luck—you just have to respect their choice.
- A Simple Typo: Are you sure you spelled their name correctly? Go to their profile and double-check. It's amazing how often a small typo is the real problem.
- You're Not Connected: LinkedIn's search tends to favor your 1st and 2nd-degree connections. While you can often tag people outside your immediate network, it can sometimes be a bit finicky.
Pro Tip: Tagged the wrong John Smith? It happens! Don't sweat it. Just click the three little dots on your post, hit "Edit," and you can backspace over the wrong name and tag the right person. Quick and painless.
A Few Lingering Questions About LinkedIn Tagging
Even after you get the hang of tagging on LinkedIn, a few common questions always seem to come up. Let's run through them so you can tag like a pro and get the most out of every mention.
What if I Forgot to Tag Someone in a Photo I Already Posted?
This one’s a classic. Unfortunately, you cannot go back and add a tag directly to a photo once it's live. Unlike Facebook, LinkedIn just doesn't have an edit feature for photo tags after the fact.
But don't worry, you're not out of luck. The easiest workaround is to simply edit the post's text description. Just pop open the post, add your @mention in the caption, and save. It accomplishes the same goal—they'll get a notification and their name will be linked right there.
Will People Know I’ve Tagged Them?
Yes, they definitely will. Any time you tag a person or a company page, LinkedIn shoots them a notification. That’s the whole point, right? It's a direct tap on the shoulder to bring them into the conversation, which is why it's such a great tool for sparking engagement.
Just a heads-up: people can tweak their privacy settings to prevent others from tagging them. If you're trying to tag someone and their name just won't pop up, it’s probably a setting on their end, not a glitch.
How Many People Can I Tag in a Single Post?
LinkedIn lets you get pretty tag-happy if you want to. For photos, you can tag up to 30 people before you hit publish.
But hold on. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Tagging a massive list of people in your post's text can look spammy and might even turn people off. The golden rule is relevance. Only tag people who are genuinely connected to what you're posting about. Think quality mentions, not just quantity.
Can I Tag Someone I’m Not Connected With?
Absolutely. You don't need to be a 1st-degree connection to mention someone.
The process is exactly the same. Start with the @ symbol and begin typing their name. If they don't show up right away, try a couple of tricks: type their full name without a space (like "@JohnSmith") or add a keyword from their headline. That usually helps LinkedIn’s search find the right person.
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