What Are Product Tags?
Product tags are clickable labels you add to social media posts that link directly to products in your shop. When users tap a product tag, they see product details—name, price, description—and can purchase without leaving the app.
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How Product Tags Work
The User Experience
- User sees a post with tagged products (indicated by a shopping bag icon)
- User taps the post to reveal product tags
- Taps a specific tag to see product details
- Clicks through to purchase on your website or in-app checkout
Business Benefits
What's the optimal number of product tags per Instagram post?
Product Tags by Platform
Instagram Product Tags
According to the Instagram Help Center, you can tag products in multiple content types.
Where You Can Use Them:
- Feed posts (photos and videos)
- Carousel posts
- Stories
- Reels
- Live videos
- Guides
Requirements:
- Business or Creator account
- Connected to a Facebook catalog
- Located in a supported market (40+ countries including US, UK, Canada, Australia, most of Europe)
- Sell physical products (most services aren't eligible)
- Comply with Meta commerce policies
How to Tag Products on Instagram:
- Create a new post as usual
- On the "New Post" screen, tap Tag Products
- Tap the product in your image
- Search for the product in your catalog
- Select the product and adjust tag placement
- Complete your post and share
Limits:
- Up to 5 products per image
- Up to 20 products per carousel post
- Tags must be relevant to the content
Facebook Product Tags
Where You Can Use Them:
- Page posts
- Stories
- Live videos
- Shops tab
Requirements:
- Facebook Page (not personal profile)
- Commerce Manager account
- Product catalog set up
- Compliance with commerce policies
How to Tag Products on Facebook:
- Create a new post on your Page
- Click Tag Products in the post composer
- Select products from your catalog
- Publish your post
Pinterest Product Tags
How Pinterest Shopping Works:
- Pins link directly to product pages
- Rich Pins automatically pull product data
- Catalog integration keeps prices updated
Requirements:
- Business account
- Claimed website
- Connected product catalog
- Verified merchant status (for additional features)
Setting Up Pinterest Shopping:
- Convert to business account
- Claim your website
- Connect product catalog (direct or via partners)
- Apply for verified merchant program
TikTok Product Tags
TikTok Shop Features:
- Product links in videos
- Live shopping
- Shop tab on profile
- Product showcase
Requirements:
- Business account
- TikTok Shop access (availability varies by region)
- Compliance with seller policies
Setting Up Product Tags
Step 1: Create a Product Catalog
Facebook/Instagram (Commerce Manager):
- Go to Commerce Manager (business.facebook.com/commerce)
- Click Add Catalog
- Choose E-commerce as catalog type
- Select data source:
- Manual upload
- Connect e-commerce platform (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce)
- Pixel/API
- Add products with required info:
- Product name
- Description
- Price
- Product images
- SKU/ID
- Link to purchase
Step 2: Connect Your Accounts
For Instagram:
- Go to Instagram Settings → Business → Shopping
- Select your Facebook catalog
- Submit for review
- Wait for approval (typically 1-2 weeks)
For Pinterest:
- Go to Pinterest Business Hub
- Click Catalogs
- Connect data source
- Map product fields
- Submit for processing
Step 3: Start Tagging
Once approved, the product tagging option appears when creating posts.
Best Practices for Product Tags
Content Quality
Show Products in Use:
- Lifestyle images outperform plain product shots
- Show scale and context
- Feature real people using products
- Demonstrate product benefits visually
Don't Over-Tag:
- 1-3 tags per post is optimal
- More tags can feel cluttered
- Focus on featured products
- Quality over quantity
Strategic Tagging
Tag What's Visible:
- Only tag products clearly shown in image
- Tags should point to the actual product
- Don't tag products not pictured
Use Carousels Strategically:
- First image: hero shot of main product
- Additional slides: complementary products
- Tell a story across slides
- Include mix of tagged and untagged slides
Optimize Product Information
Product Titles:
- Clear, descriptive names
- Include key details (size, color, material)
- Avoid all caps or excessive punctuation
Product Descriptions:
- Highlight key features and benefits
- Include sizing/fit information
- Add care instructions when relevant
Pricing:
- Keep prices updated
- Include sale pricing when applicable
- Show currency clearly
Track Performance
Metrics to Monitor:
- Product tag taps
- Product page views
- Checkout initiations
- Purchases attributed to tags
Optimize Based on Data:
- Which products get most taps?
- What content style drives clicks?
- Which posting times perform best?
- What price points convert?
Common Product Tag Mistakes
Mistake 1: Tagging Irrelevant Products
Problem: Tagging products not shown in the image for more exposure.
Why It Fails: Confuses users, damages trust, may violate platform policies.
Fix: Only tag products clearly visible and relevant to the content.
Mistake 2: Poor Product Images in Catalog
Problem: Great social content but blurry catalog images.
Why It Fails: Users see poor images when they tap tags.
Fix: Ensure catalog images are high-quality and consistent.
Mistake 3: Outdated Inventory/Pricing
Problem: Tags link to out-of-stock or differently-priced items.
Why It Fails: Creates frustrating experience, lost sales.
Fix: Sync catalog regularly, remove unavailable products promptly.
Mistake 4: Only Posting Shoppable Content
Problem: Every post is a sales pitch with product tags.
Why It Fails: Followers tune out, engagement drops.
Fix: Mix tagged posts with non-commercial content. Aim for 20-30% shoppable posts maximum.
Product Tags for Different Business Types
Fashion and Apparel
- Tag complete outfits across multiple products
- Use carousel for "shop the look"
- Include size/fit guides in descriptions
- Tag accessories and complementary items
Home and Decor
- Tag multiple items in room shots
- Create themed collections
- Show products in different settings
- Include dimensions in descriptions
Beauty and Cosmetics
- Tag products in tutorial content
- Show before/after results
- Include shade names and skin types
- Link to bundles and sets
Food and Beverage
- Tag ingredients for recipe posts
- Link to subscription options
- Highlight seasonal products
- Include dietary information
Frequently Asked Questions
What are product tags on social media?
Product tags are clickable labels added to social media posts that link directly to products in your online shop. When users tap a tag, they see product information and can purchase without leaving the app. They're available on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok.
How do I enable product tags on Instagram?
You need a Business or Creator account, a connected Facebook product catalog, and approval from Instagram. Go to Settings → Business → Shopping, connect your catalog, submit for review, and wait for approval (usually 1-2 weeks). Once approved, you'll see a "Tag Products" option when creating posts.
How many products can I tag in one post?
On Instagram, you can tag up to 5 products per single image and up to 20 products total in a carousel post. However, fewer tags (1-3) typically perform better than cluttered posts with many tags.
Do product tags hurt organic reach?
No, product tags don't negatively affect organic reach. In fact, Instagram has stated shopping content is not deprioritized. High-quality content with relevant product tags can perform well. The key is maintaining engaging content, not just sales pitches.
Can I use product tags without a website?
On Instagram, you can use Instagram Checkout (where available) to sell directly without a website. However, most businesses need a product catalog connected to an e-commerce website to use product tags. Facebook and Pinterest generally require a website with product pages.
Official Resources
- Instagram Help: Add Product Tags - Official tagging guide
- Instagram Help: Shopping on Instagram - Eligibility and setup
- Instagram Help: About Shopping Tags - Feature overview
- GoDataFeed: Instagram Product Tags Case Studies - Real examples from shops
Related Terms
- Social Commerce - Selling directly on social platforms
- Instagram Shopping - Instagram commerce features
- Shoppable Posts - Posts with purchase functionality
Related Resources
Guides
- Instagram Marketing Strategies - Grow your Instagram presence
- Facebook Content Ideas - Content inspiration
Tools
- Instagram Post Generator - Create engaging posts
- Product Launch Checklist - Plan your launches