Tagging photos on LinkedIn serves several important purposes that can benefit your personal brand and increase engagement on the platform. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide a quick overview answering common questions about photo tagging and why it matters.
What is photo tagging?
Photo tagging refers to identifying people in photos you upload to LinkedIn by typing their name. When you tag someone, it creates a link to their profile and notifies them that they were tagged. The name of the person tagged will appear overlaid on the photo.
Why should you tag photos on LinkedIn?
There are a few key reasons why tagging photos is recommended for LinkedIn users:
- Increases visibility and reach – Tagging photos allows them to appear on your connections’ profiles under the “Photos of me” section, expanding the reach of your posts.
- Strengthens connections – Tagging is a great way to engage with your network by calling out colleagues, friends, and associates.
- Adds context – Identifying people in photos provides clarity into who you know and interact with professionally.
- Boosts engagement – When people are tagged, they are more likely to like, comment on, and share photos.
- Professional brand building – Being tagged can enhance your own brand and reputation on LinkedIn.
When should you tag photos?
The most opportune times to tag LinkedIn photos include:
- Company events – Tagging coworkers or clients in photos from conferences, trade shows, and other corporate events can help strengthen relationships.
- Industry gatherings – Connect with new professional contacts by tagging photos from networking events, seminars, etc.
- Social occasions – While mostly professional, tagging related to company parties, award ceremonies, and social gatherings is appropriate.
- Project collaboration – Showcase teamwork and accomplishments by tagging project partners and colleagues.
- Profile photos – Tag clients, partners, or coworkers who appear in your own LinkedIn profile photos.
Who should you tag in photos?
The best connections to tag on LinkedIn include:
- Direct connections – Tagging 1st-degree connections helps reinforce relationships with colleagues, clients, partners, etc.
- Mutual connections – Increase visibility with shared connections by tagging 2nd-degree connections.
- New connections – Tag new professional contacts to establish the relationship on LinkedIn.
- Influencers & leaders – Tagging executives, thought leaders, and influencers can expand reach.
- Company pages – Consider tagging your company, brand partners, or clients to increase engagement.
How do you tag someone in a photo?
The process for tagging photos on LinkedIn includes:
- Upload the photo you want to tag on LinkedIn via the “Share an article, photo, video, or idea” section.
- In the photograph, click on the part of the image where the person appears.
- Start typing their name and select the correct profile from the dropdown menu.
- The person’s name will appear overlaid on the image.
- Add any text or captions you want, then post the photo as you normally would.
Can you untag yourself from a photo?
If someone tags you in a photo on LinkedIn that you don’t want attached to your profile, you can untag yourself:
- Go to your LinkedIn profile and click “Photos of me.”
- Hover over the photo you want to remove and click the “X” icon.
- Click “Remove tag” to confirm.
This will disconnect the photo from your profile. Keep in mind the photo may still appear on the profile of whoever posted it originally.
Can you delete a tagged photo on LinkedIn?
Unfortunately, there is no way to fully delete or remove a photo that someone else has tagged you in on LinkedIn. As the post author, here are a few steps they can take:
- Untag the photo from all connections.
- Update the privacy setting to “Only me.”
- Change who can see the post through visibility options.
- Delete the post if necessary.
However, connections may still be able to see the photo through cached versions or their own profiles. There is no guarantee the photo can be removed completely once posted and tagged.
Tips for tagging professional photos
To leverage LinkedIn photo tagging most effectively, keep these tips in mind:
- Tag thoughtfully – Only tag relevant connections who will appreciate the engagement.
- Tag strategically – Focus on those who can expand your reach and visibility.
- Respect preferences – Avoid tagging connections who prefer to stay private.
- Add value – Tag photos that share insights, accomplishments or company culture.
- Use sparingly – Tagging should enhance, not overwhelm the content.
- Secure consent – When possible, get consent from those tagged, especially for large groups.
Benefits of tagging photos on LinkedIn
Here is a summary of the key benefits of photo tagging for individuals and brands on LinkedIn:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Increased engagement | Tagging leads to more likes, comments, and shares of photos. |
| Expanded reach | Photos appear on connections’ profiles expanding visibility. |
| Strengthened connections | Tagging reinforces relationships and interactivity with your network. |
| Added context | Identifying people by name provides clarity into relationships and roles. |
| Brand awareness | Being tagged boosts personal/company brand and recognition. |
| Thought leadership | Tagged photos can establish expertise and influence. |
| Lead generation | Tagging attracts new professional contacts and sales prospects. |
Risks and challenges of photo tagging
While photo tagging has many benefits, there are also potential risks and challenges to consider:
| Risk/Challenge | Description |
|---|---|
| Misrepresentation | Photos could portray connections in an inaccurate or unflattering way. |
| Lack of consent | Tagging without permission can upset connections. |
| Presentation concerns | Some connections may not want their brand associated with certain photos. |
| Privacy issues | Photos may reveal unwanted personal details or contact info. |
| Harassment | Tagging could attract unwanted contact, negative comments from others. |
| Inappropriate content | Tagged photos may reflect poorly on a professional image. |
Best practices for photo tagging
To maximize the benefits and minimize risks of photo tagging on LinkedIn, adhere to these best practices:
- Ask permission before tagging others, especially for large groups.
- Only tag people directly relevant to the photo context.
- Avoid tagging photos with sensitive, private, or confidential information.
- Tag thoughtfully with a person’s professional brand and reputation in mind.
- Respect it if someone asks you to remove a tag or untag themselves.
- Use tagging to strengthen relationships, not bombard connections.
- Tag strategically to expand distribution to key audiences.
- Proactively monitor feedback and comments on tagged photos.
- Remove inappropriate or unprofessional photos when requested.
Conclusion
Tagging photos on LinkedIn comes with many benefits for engagement, brand visibility, and relationship-building. However, when used in excess or without proper consent, it also poses risks of misrepresentation, privacy concerns, and harassment.
By tagging thoughtfully, respecting connections, and adhering to best practices, you can maximize photo impact while minimizing risks. Focus your tagging efforts on increasing meaningful engagement that puts your brand and relationships in the best possible light.
