Instagram Location Sharing: Essential Privacy Do's, Don'ts & a Step-by-Step Guide to Disabling Services

You take selfies at your favorite coffee shop, post vacation photos, or share street art finds on Instagram. But behind those carefully crafted posts, you may be unknowingly leaving behind digital breadcrumbs that can be used to locate your whereabouts by people you never meant to invite into your life. Of course, the ability to calculate a user's location and track phone number free of charge was created with good intentions to ensure personal safety. However, when used carelessly, it can turn your social media moments into a treasure map for strangers. So if you prefer to keep your personal life a secret, it's time to take control of your Instagram privacy. Here we would like to unveil the main pros and cons of location sharing and arm ourselves with a simple step-by-step guide on how to disable these insidious location services.

The Do’s and Don'ts of Instagram Location Sharing

First things first—location sharing isn’t all bad. Sometimes, it’s downright useful! However, it comes with certain risks if used unwisely. So here we would like to consider the essentials of what you should—and shouldn’t—do when it comes to location sharing on Instagram.

The Do’s

1. Do Be Selective with Location Tags
Not every photo needs a location tag like a stamp of approval. When you're visiting iconic landmarks or public events, a location tag can improve the storytelling of your post. For instance, tagging the Eiffel Tower during your Paris trip makes perfect sense, as it adds context and invites engagement. However, be mindful of tagging private locations, e.g., a friend's house or your local coffee shop that you visit every morning. Just because you can tag a location doesn’t mean you should.

2. Do Use Location Tags for Business or Promotion
If you're a small business owner, influencer, or creator, location tags can work wonders in attracting local audiences. Imagine hosting an event and tagging the venue on your Instagram post—boom! You’ve just put your business on the map (literally) for nearby followers. For example, if you run a pop-up art gallery, tagging your location helps art lovers nearby discover your work. Just be sure that what you’re promoting isn’t linked to your personal spaces.

3. Do Educate Yourself on Privacy Features
Instagram regularly updates its privacy settings and adds features (that can either help or hinder your efforts to stay secure). Get in the habit of checking your privacy settings once in a while. You might discover new controls, e.g., the ability to hide your online status or prevent people from embedding your posts elsewhere. Understanding these tools can be your digital armor.

4. Do Take Advantage of “Close Friends” for Location Sharing
Not every story is meant for all eyes. If you still want to share a location in real-time, consider using Instagram’s “Close Friends” feature. This allows you to create a list of trusted people who can see specific posts or stories. Sharing your vacation villa in Santorini with close friends might still be fun and social, while keeping random followers in the dark about your whereabouts.

The Don'ts

1. Don’t Tag Locations in Real-Time
This is one of the golden rules of privacy: never share your location in real-time unless it's a public event or space where you feel completely safe. Posting that you’re at a particular location at that very moment can give the wrong people (we’re talking stalkers, thieves, and hackers) a live update on your whereabouts. Instead, wait until you’ve left the location before tagging it in a post. For example, if you just enjoyed a peaceful afternoon in Central Park, wait until you're sipping tea back at home before sharing the location.

2. Don’t Reveal Routine Locations
Sure, you love that local bakery with the warm croissants, but do you really want strangers knowing exactly where you grab your morning fix? Repeatedly tagging your go-to spots creates a pattern that could allow someone to track your daily habits. Keep private places private. Your home, workplace, gym, or any location you frequent should stay off the Instagram grid.

3. Don’t Assume All Your Followers are Friends
It’s easy to forget that not everyone following you on Instagram has good intentions. While we tend to think of our followers as a friendly audience, there could be lurkers waiting for opportunities. If you’ve got hundreds or thousands of followers, there’s a good chance you don’t know each one personally. Be cautious about revealing your locations and consider setting your profile to private if you’re posting frequently about your whereabouts.

4. Don’t Use Geotagging in the Stories Feature

Geotagging in Instagram Stories is a whole different beast. Instagram Stories are fleeting and disappear after 24 hours, but the temporary nature of this feature doesn’t make it safer. If you’re geotagging a story in real-time, you’re still exposing your immediate location, which can be risky, especially in less public or familiar spaces.

Consider adding geotags to stories after you’ve left a location or avoid using them altogether in more personal settings. Alternatively, share these moments with your “Close Friends” list to limit exposure.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disabling Instagram Location Services

If you’re ready to take control and disable Instagram’s location services entirely, just follow these simple steps below. It’s easier than you might think, and the peace of mind it brings is priceless.

For iPhone Users:

1. Open the Settings App
   Launch your iPhone’s settings and scroll down to find Instagram.

2. Select "Instagram"
   Tap on Instagram and select "Location."

3. Choose “Never” or “While Using the App”
   Here, you’ll see several options. Choosing “Never” ensures Instagram can’t access your location at all. If you want to allow location only when using the app, select “While Using the App.”

4. Disable "Precise Location"
   If you choose to allow location access, make sure to toggle off the “Precise Location” option. This limits Instagram to approximate areas rather than pinpointing your exact coordinates.

For Android Users:

1. Open Settings
   Head to your Android phone’s settings, and navigate to the "Apps" or "Applications" section.

2. Select Instagram
   Scroll through your installed apps and tap on Instagram.

3. Tap on "Permissions"
   Under permissions, find the "Location" point.

4. Select "Deny"
   Choosing “Deny” prevents Instagram from accessing your location data completely.

5. Disable Location for Some Posts
   Even if you keep location services on for certain purposes, you can manually remove the location tag from selective posts. Before sharing, tap on the location name and hit “Remove Location”.

Additional Tips for Safe Social Media Sharing

Here are a few extra pointers to keep you safe while still allowing you to enjoy the best parts of Instagram. Please review them below to make sure you will be completely safe while using the app.

In case you are sharing a photo from an event or location, remember to wait a few hours (or until you’ve left) before posting it.

Then you may also customize your audience and make use of Instagram’s privacy settings to control who sees your posts, especially those with location tags. 

And finally, in case you’re not comfortable with public posts, switch your profile to private, allowing only approved followers to see your content.

Final Thoughts

Instagram is a platform for creativity, connection, and communication, but protecting your privacy should always be your top priority. You don’t need to become invisible, but being cautious is essential. Due to a few thoughtful practices, you can keep your location under wraps while still sharing the moments that matter. So, be smart, be selective, and remember: not all good things are meant to be shared in real-time!