When you tag someone using the @ symbol in a post or comment on Facebook, it creates a link to their profile and sends them a notification. This can be a useful way to get someone’s attention, mention them in a post, or tag them in a photo. But what exactly happens when you tag @friends on Facebook? Here is a closer look at how tagging works and what the tagged person will see.
Notifying the tagged person
The main purpose of tagging someone on Facebook is to notify them. When you tag a friend using @theirname, they will get a notification that they have been tagged. This notification will show up in their notifications tab on Facebook. It will also send them an email alert if they have email notifications enabled.
So tagging is a way to make sure your friend sees the post you mentioned them in. It brings it to their attention and prompts them to view the post. They can then react to, comment on, or share the post if they want to respond.
Creating a timeline post
In addition to sending a notification, tagging someone also creates a new story on their timeline. After you tag a friend, a post will show up on their profile saying you tagged them along with a link to the original post.
So your friend’s followers will be able to see when you tag them in your post. The story on their timeline will say something like “@theirname was tagged in John Doe’s post.” Anyone who visits their profile will be able to see that story.
Tagging in photos
When you tag someone in a photo, it works the same way. The friend will get a notification, and a story will be added to their timeline saying you tagged them in your photo.
The tagged friend will also be able to see that they are tagged when viewing the photo. Their name will show up over their face. And if other people visit the photo, they’ll see the friend tagged too.
Adding a tag notification
In addition to basic tagging, you also have the option to write an additional message when you tag someone. After typing @theirname, you can hit enter and write a message before posting.
For example, you could write “@Jane – thought you’d find this funny!” This adds a personalized notification message that your friend will see when they are tagged. It allows you to provide more context.
Who can see the tag
When you tag someone, it creates a public link on Facebook to their profile. This means anyone who can see the post can also see that the person was tagged.
The visibility settings on the original post determine who can see the tag. For example, if you tag a friend in a post shared with Friends only, the tag will only be visible to your mutual friends.
Things to keep in mind when tagging
Now that you know the basics, here are some important things to remember about tagging on Facebook:
– Get permission first before tagging someone, especially in photos. Not everyone may be comfortable being tagged.
– Be relevant and purposeful with your tags. Don’t spam friends unless it’s meaningful.
– Check your tag notifications and either remove or approve tags you’re mentioned in.
– You can turn off tag notifications from your Facebook settings if you don’t want to receive them.
– Untag yourself if you don’t like the post you’re tagged in. This removes the story from your timeline.
– Tagging is public, so remember many people may see you mentioned.
– Tagging only notifies and links to someone’s current Facebook profile.
Overall, use good judgment and be respectful to others when tagging friends on Facebook. Make sure to only tag them in appropriate posts they would appreciate being mentioned in.
How does tagging work technically?
Behind the scenes, here is a more technical look at how the Facebook tagging feature works:
Tagging creates an anchor link
When you type @name in a post and hit enter or space, Facebook instantly converts this to an HTML anchor tag linking to the profile URL of the person you tagged.
It will look like this in the post HTML:
This is what creates the clickable link and ties the tag to their profile. When clicked, it will open their profile in a new browser window.
Facebook identifies the user ID
In order to tie the tag to a specific profile, Facebook has to identify which user you are referring to. It does this by looking up the numeric user ID associated with the vanity name you typed.
This user ID is unique to each Facebook account. Tagging converts the name to the matching ID behind the scenes.
Notifies user via Facebook servers
Once the tag is processed and linked to a user ID, Facebook updates its servers to show you have tagged that user. This triggers the notifications and timeline story on their end.
The notification data is relayed through Facebook’s large network of servers worldwide, allowing near instant notifications.
Modern web framework
For its web apps, Facebook uses a custom framework called React.js. This allows dynamically updating content and notifications without full page reloads.
That is why when you get tagged, you can see the notification instantly appear – no refresh needed. Facebook pushes the update.
Scalable infrastructure
With billions of users, Facebook has to have a massively scalable server infrastructure to process the constant stream of new posts, tags, comments and likes happening.
Huge amounts of data flow through their data centers to support the real-time notification system. It’s an impressive technical accomplishment.
Benefits of tagging friends
Tagging friends on Facebook can be beneficial when used thoughtfully. Here are some of the advantages:
Get their attention
As mentioned, tagging someone will send them an immediate notification, which can help make sure your post or comment gets noticed. This can be helpful if you really want them to view something.
Mention them in a post
Tagging allows you to directly mention someone in a post or comment and link to their profile. It associates them with the content much like a verbal mention.
Tag them in photos
Photos are a great place to use tags. You can tag friends who are in the photos with you, which can help you identify people in the pics.
Give them credit
If you want to give someone credit for something mentioned in your post, a tag makes that connection. For example, thanking them or recommending their work.
Keep friends updated
When you check-in at a location or share other updates, tagging relevant friends can help notify them and keep them looped in.
Get tagged post visibility
By tagging friends, your post may get additional visibility as their friends/followers see the new story on their timeline.
Engage friends in a post
A timely tag can help kickstart further engagement on a post if friends join in responding or sharing after you tag them.
Potential issues with tagging
Can be annoying if overused
Friends will likely get annoyed if you tag them when irrelevant or tag them too frequently. Use good judgment and only tag when appropriate.
Some don’t like being tagged in photos
Photos tags can also irritate some people, especially unflattering pics. Always ask first before tagging someone in a photo.
Creates spam opportunities
Spammers or fake accounts may try to tag random users in their posts to attract attention and spread malware links.
Associates your friend’s brand
Any post you tag a friend in reflects on their personal brand on Facebook. Make sure the post is respectable.
Drags friends into conversations
If you tag a friend in a heated debate or political post, it could unintentionally drag them in. Be cautious.
Could attract unwanted attention
Some friends may not want extra attention or visibility from tags, so respect their preferences.
Notifications can interrupt
Too many unnecessary tags could frustrate friends and disrupt their day if they get constant notifications.
How to manage tag notifications
Here are some tips on managing tag notifications:
Adjust notification settings
In Facebook Settings, you can customize notifications to reduce tag notifications if needed. You can also fully disable tags.
Untag yourself
If you don’t like being tagged in a post, you can remove the tag to untag yourself. This is done via the post’s menu.
Hide post from timeline
In addition to untagging, you can also hide a post from your timeline so it doesn’t show up tagged.
Restrict old posts from tagging
You can limit friends from tagging you in old posts and photos to reduce tag spam. This is in the Facebook tagging settings.
Review tags
Check your tags frequently and remove any unwanted, irrelevant or spammy tags others add you in.
Add trusted friends list
Creating a close friends list will restrict tags so only those friends can tag you. This prevents unwanted tags.
Report spam tags
If someone is maliciously tagging you or others in spam posts, you should report them to Facebook.
Block a user
In severe spam cases, you may need to outright block a troublesome user account from interacting with you further on Facebook.
Conclusion
Tagging friends on Facebook using @names can be a fun way to interact and engage with your network. It helps grab attention, mention friends in updates, and tag them in photos. But be mindful of overusing tags or tagging in unwanted posts. With Facebook’s wide reach, tags can attract a lot of attention, so use discretion. Follow best practices on tagging etiquette, and be quick to untag yourself anywhere appropriate. With some prudent tagging habits, you can effectively leverage tags to connect with your friends.