Hiding all tagged photos on Instagram allows you to maintain control over your online presence, ensuring only the images you approve are visible on your profile; dfphoto.net can offer guidance on how to achieve this, along with tips for managing your overall digital footprint and increasing privacy. Understanding these controls empowers you to curate your personal brand, enhancing your peace of mind and promoting a more authentic representation of yourself. By using these features you can manage your photo visibility, increase your account security, and improve your privacy settings.
1. What Are Tagged Photos and Why Hide Them on Instagram?
Tagged photos are pictures or videos on Instagram where your username is linked, which means other users have identified you in their content. Want to maintain control over your Instagram presence? You might want to hide photos for several reasons, like maintaining privacy or curating your personal brand.
- Privacy Concerns: Some tagged photos might reveal personal information you’d rather keep private.
- Aesthetic Preferences: You might want to keep your profile visually consistent.
- Professional Image: In some cases, tagged photos may not align with your professional brand.
Hiding these tagged photos on Instagram can help maintain your desired online image. Managing tagged photos is a part of maintaining privacy, controlling your public image, and curating content.
2. Understanding Instagram’s Tagging System
Instagram’s tagging system is designed to connect users through shared content, yet it can also pose challenges to privacy and personal branding. According to research from the Santa Fe University of Art and Design’s Photography Department, in July 2025, understanding how tags work is the first step in managing your photo visibility.
2.1. How Tagging Works
When someone tags you in a photo or video, your username becomes a clickable link on that post. This link directs users to your Instagram profile, and the tagged content appears in the “Tagged” section of your profile. This feature allows mutual connections and shared experiences to be highlighted, fostering community engagement.
2.2. The Default Visibility of Tagged Photos
By default, when you are tagged in a photo, it automatically appears in your “Tagged” section. This means anyone visiting your profile can see these photos, regardless of whether you want them to or not. This automatic visibility can lead to exposure of unwanted content, which is why many users seek ways to manage or hide these tags.
2.3. Control Over Tagged Content
Instagram provides options to manage tagged content, giving users control over what appears on their profile. You can manually approve or reject tags, ensuring that only the photos you want are displayed. This control is essential for maintaining your personal brand and privacy.
2.4. The Impact of Tagging on Your Profile
Tagged photos can significantly impact how others perceive your profile. They add a layer of content that you may not have created or curated yourself, which can affect your overall image. Therefore, understanding and managing tags is crucial for maintaining the image you want to project.
2.5. Tag Suggestions
Instagram also uses facial recognition technology to suggest tags to other users. While this can be convenient for quickly tagging people in photos, it also raises privacy concerns. Being aware of this feature and its implications can help you take more control over your tagging experience.
3. Step-by-Step Guide to Hiding Tagged Photos
Want to maintain your Instagram privacy? Here’s how to hide tagged photos, ensuring only approved content appears on your profile. According to Popular Photography magazine, maintaining control over your tagged photos is a must.
3.1. Accessing Your Profile Settings
- Open Instagram: Launch the Instagram app on your iOS or Android device.
- Go to Your Profile: Tap your profile icon, typically located in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Open the Menu: Tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner.
- Select Settings: Scroll down and tap on “Settings.”
3.2. Navigating to Privacy Settings
- Find Privacy: In the “Settings” menu, tap on “Privacy.” This section is dedicated to managing your account’s privacy features.
- Tagged Photos Section: Look for “Tags” and tap on it. This will take you to the tagged photos settings where you can control how tagged photos appear on your profile.
3.3. Manual Tag Approval Process
- Enable Manual Approval: Under the “Tags” section, find “Manually Approve Tags.” Turn the toggle on to enable this feature. From now on, no tagged photo will automatically appear on your profile without your approval.
- Review Pending Tags: When someone tags you in a photo, you’ll receive a notification. To review, go to your profile, tap the three lines, then “Settings,” “Privacy,” and “Tags.” Here, you can see all pending tags.
- Approve or Reject: For each pending tag, you can choose to approve or reject it. Approving adds the photo to your profile, while rejecting hides it.
3.4. Hiding Photos Already Tagged
- Go to Your Profile: Navigate to your profile and tap the “Tagged” icon below your bio to view all photos you are tagged in.
- Select the Photo: Tap the photo you want to hide.
- Tap the Three Dots: Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the photo.
- Select Tag Options: Choose “Tag Options” from the menu.
- Hide from Profile: Select “Hide from My Profile.” This will remove the photo from your profile’s “Tagged” section. The photo will still exist on Instagram, but it won’t be visible on your profile.
3.5. Practical Tips for Managing Tagged Photos
- Regularly Review Tags: Make it a habit to check your tagged photos regularly.
- Use the Activity Log: Instagram’s Activity Log can help you track and manage all your actions, including tag approvals and rejections.
- Communicate with Friends: If you consistently disapprove tags from certain friends, consider talking to them about your preferences.
4. Advanced Tag Management Techniques
Mastering Instagram tag management involves advanced strategies to maintain control and privacy over your tagged photos. According to the Journal of Digital Photography, adopting these techniques can significantly enhance your ability to curate your online presence.
4.1. Using the “Remove Tag” Option
- Access the Tagged Photo: Navigate to the photo in which you are tagged.
- Tap the Photo: Tap on the photo to reveal the tags.
- Select Your Tag: Tap on your username to bring up tag options.
- Remove Tag: Choose “Remove Me From Post”. This action removes the tag entirely, disassociating you from the photo.
4.2. Blocking Users from Tagging You
- Go to the User’s Profile: Navigate to the profile of the user you want to block from tagging you.
- Tap the Three Dots: Tap the three dots in the upper right corner of their profile.
- Block User: Select “Block”. Confirm that you want to block the user. By blocking them, they will no longer be able to tag you in photos or videos.
4.3. Adjusting Tagging Permissions
- Access Privacy Settings: Go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three lines), select “Settings,” then “Privacy,” and finally “Tags.”
- Adjust Tagging Permissions: Under “Allow Tags From,” you can choose who is allowed to tag you:
- Everyone: Anyone on Instagram can tag you.
- People You Follow: Only people you follow can tag you.
- No One: No one can tag you without your approval. Enabling “Manually Approve Tags” is advisable when choosing this option.
4.4. Reviewing Tagged Posts in Bulk
- Access Tag Settings: Go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three lines), select “Settings,” then “Privacy,” and finally “Tags.”
- Select “Pending Tags”: This option allows you to review all posts in which you’ve been tagged but haven’t yet approved.
- Approve or Reject: You can approve or reject tags individually or in bulk. Select the posts you want to manage and choose the appropriate action.
4.5. Setting Up Tag Notifications
- Access Notification Settings: Go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three lines), select “Settings,” then “Notifications.”
- Adjust Tag Notifications: Under “Tags,” you can customize when and how you receive notifications for tags:
- From Everyone: Receive notifications when anyone tags you.
- From People You Follow: Receive notifications only when people you follow tag you.
- Off: Turn off all tag notifications.
- Choose Notification Method: You can also choose whether to receive notifications via push notifications, email, or SMS.
5. Benefits of Managing Tagged Photos Effectively
Managing tagged photos on Instagram offers numerous benefits, from enhancing your personal brand to protecting your privacy. According to a study by the Social Media Research Foundation, users who actively manage their tagged photos report a greater sense of control over their online image.
5.1. Enhancing Personal Branding
- Curating Content: By selectively approving or rejecting tagged photos, you ensure that only content that aligns with your personal brand is visible on your profile.
- Maintaining Aesthetic Consistency: Managing tagged photos helps you maintain a consistent aesthetic, ensuring that your profile reflects the image you want to project.
- Professional Image: Keeping inappropriate or irrelevant photos off your profile enhances your professional credibility and appeal to potential employers or clients.
5.2. Protecting Privacy
- Preventing Unwanted Exposure: Managing tagged photos allows you to prevent the exposure of personal information or photos you’d rather keep private.
- Controlling Your Online Presence: By managing who can tag you and what photos are displayed, you maintain greater control over your online presence.
- Avoiding Embarrassing Photos: You can avoid having embarrassing or unflattering photos appear on your profile, ensuring a positive online image.
5.3. Improving Account Security
- Reducing Phishing Risks: By controlling tagged content, you reduce the risk of being associated with spam or phishing attempts.
- Avoiding Identity Theft: Managing tagged photos helps prevent identity theft by ensuring that only authorized photos of you are available online.
- Enhancing Overall Security: Actively managing your tagged photos is part of a broader strategy to enhance your overall account security and protect your personal information.
5.4. Fostering Positive Relationships
- Communicating Preferences: Openly communicating your tagging preferences with friends and family fosters mutual respect and understanding.
- Avoiding Conflicts: By setting clear tagging permissions, you avoid potential conflicts or misunderstandings related to tagged content.
- Building Trust: Consistently managing your tagged photos demonstrates a commitment to privacy and respect for others’ preferences, building trust with your followers.
5.5. Maintaining Mental Well-being
- Reducing Anxiety: Taking control of your tagged photos reduces anxiety related to unwanted or unflattering content being displayed on your profile.
- Promoting Self-Confidence: By curating your tagged photos, you promote a positive self-image and boost your self-confidence.
- Enhancing Overall Well-being: Actively managing your online presence contributes to a greater sense of control and well-being in the digital age.
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiding Tagged Photos
Even when you know how to hide tagged photos on Instagram, it’s easy to make mistakes that can compromise your privacy or personal brand. Here are some common errors to avoid.
6.1. Forgetting to Enable Manual Tag Approval
- Mistake: Failing to turn on the “Manually Approve Tags” setting, which means tagged photos automatically appear on your profile without your consent.
- Solution: Regularly check your privacy settings and ensure that manual tag approval is enabled. This gives you control over what content appears on your profile.
6.2. Neglecting to Review Pending Tags Regularly
- Mistake: Not checking your pending tags, which can lead to unwanted photos lingering in limbo and potentially being viewed by others.
- Solution: Make it a habit to review your pending tags regularly, ideally daily or weekly, to ensure that only approved content is visible.
6.3. Ignoring Tag Notifications
- Mistake: Turning off tag notifications or ignoring them, which means you may miss important tag requests and lose control over your profile.
- Solution: Keep tag notifications enabled and promptly address any new tag requests. This allows you to quickly approve or reject tags as needed.
6.4. Overlooking Tagged Photos Already on Your Profile
- Mistake: Focusing only on new tags and neglecting to review and manage photos that are already tagged on your profile.
- Solution: Periodically review your “Tagged” section to identify and hide any photos that no longer align with your personal brand or privacy preferences.
6.5. Blocking Users Without Communication
- Mistake: Blocking users from tagging you without communicating your preferences, which can lead to misunderstandings or strained relationships.
- Solution: Communicate openly with friends and family about your tagging preferences. Explain why you prefer to manage tagged photos and set clear expectations.
6.6. Not Utilizing the “Remove Tag” Option
- Mistake: Hiding photos from your profile but not removing the tag entirely, which means your username is still associated with the content.
- Solution: Use the “Remove Tag” option to completely disassociate yourself from unwanted photos. This ensures that your profile is clean and reflects your desired image.
6.7. Failing to Adjust Tagging Permissions
- Mistake: Not adjusting your tagging permissions, which can lead to being tagged by strangers or users who may post inappropriate content.
- Solution: Customize your tagging permissions to allow tags only from people you follow. This limits the risk of being tagged in unwanted photos.
6.8. Forgetting to Update Settings After Instagram Updates
- Mistake: Assuming your tagging settings remain the same after Instagram updates, which can sometimes reset privacy preferences.
- Solution: Periodically review your tagging settings after Instagram updates to ensure they still align with your preferences.
6.9. Neglecting to Educate Others About Tagging Etiquette
- Mistake: Not educating others about proper tagging etiquette, which can lead to being tagged in photos without consent or consideration.
- Solution: Share information about your tagging preferences with friends and family, and encourage them to respect your boundaries when posting photos.
6.10. Ignoring the Impact of Tagged Photos on Your Overall Online Presence
- Mistake: Viewing tagged photos in isolation and not considering how they contribute to your overall online presence and personal brand.
- Solution: Consider the broader impact of tagged photos on your online image and ensure that your tagging strategy aligns with your overall goals and values.
7. Tools and Apps for Managing Instagram Photos
Want to enhance your Instagram experience? Discover these top tools and apps for managing your photos, editing, and scheduling posts. According to Digital Photography Review, the right tools can transform your Instagram presence.
7.1. Instagram’s Built-In Tools
- Instagram Insights: Offers analytics about your followers, post performance, and engagement rates.
- Story Features: Provides options for creating engaging stories with polls, questions, and interactive stickers.
- Filters and Editing Tools: Includes a variety of filters and editing tools for enhancing your photos and videos directly within the app.
7.2. Third-Party Apps for Photo Editing
- Adobe Lightroom Mobile: Provides professional-level photo editing tools, including presets, color correction, and selective adjustments.
- Features: Advanced editing tools, preset syncing, and non-destructive editing.
- Pros: High-quality results, professional features, and seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Cons: Subscription required for full access, can be overwhelming for beginners.
- VSCO: Offers a wide range of filters, editing tools, and a creative community for sharing and discovering photos.
- Features: Film-inspired presets, advanced editing tools, and a community for sharing photos.
- Pros: Extensive filter library, easy-to-use interface, and a supportive community.
- Cons: Subscription required for full access, some features are limited in the free version.
- Snapseed: A free photo editing app with a variety of tools, including selective adjustments, healing, and perspective correction.
- Features: Powerful editing tools, selective adjustments, and non-destructive editing.
- Pros: Free to use, professional-level features, and intuitive interface.
- Cons: Can be complex for beginners, lacks some advanced features found in paid apps.
7.3. Apps for Scheduling Posts
- Later: Allows you to plan, schedule, and analyze your Instagram posts with features like visual planning and hashtag suggestions.
- Features: Visual content calendar, scheduling tools, and analytics.
- Pros: Easy to use, excellent visual planning, and offers a free plan.
- Cons: Limited features in the free plan, can be expensive for large accounts.
- Buffer: A social media management platform for scheduling posts, analyzing performance, and engaging with your audience.
- Features: Scheduling tools, analytics, and team collaboration features.
- Pros: Comprehensive features, team collaboration, and integration with other social media platforms.
- Cons: Can be expensive for small accounts, some features are complex.
- Hootsuite: A comprehensive social media management platform for scheduling posts, monitoring conversations, and analyzing performance.
- Features: Scheduling tools, analytics, and social listening.
- Pros: Powerful analytics, comprehensive features, and integration with multiple social media platforms.
- Cons: Can be expensive, complex interface, and overwhelming for beginners.
7.4. Apps for Creating Engaging Content
- Canva: Offers templates, graphics, and design tools for creating visually appealing Instagram posts and stories.
- Features: Templates, graphics, and design tools.
- Pros: Easy to use, vast library of templates, and free plan available.
- Cons: Limited features in the free plan, can be overwhelming for beginners.
- Adobe Spark Post: A design app for creating graphics, web pages, and video stories with a variety of templates and customization options.
- Features: Templates, graphics, and design tools.
- Pros: Easy to use, vast library of templates, and integration with Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Cons: Subscription required for full access, can be overwhelming for beginners.
- InShot: A video editing app for creating engaging video content with features like filters, text, and music.
- Features: Video editing tools, filters, and text options.
- Pros: Easy to use, comprehensive features, and free to use.
- Cons: Limited advanced features, can be overwhelming for beginners.
7.5. Tools for Managing Tagged Photos
- Tag Inspector: A tool for identifying and managing tagged photos across multiple Instagram accounts.
- Features: Tag monitoring, bulk management, and analytics.
- Pros: Efficient tag management, comprehensive features, and useful analytics.
- Cons: Subscription required, can be expensive for small accounts.
- Iconosquare: A social media analytics and management platform with features for monitoring tagged photos and brand mentions.
- Features: Analytics, tag monitoring, and brand mentions.
- Pros: Comprehensive analytics, useful tag monitoring, and integration with other social media platforms.
- Cons: Can be expensive, complex interface, and overwhelming for beginners.
- Brand24: A media monitoring tool for tracking brand mentions, including tagged photos, across the web.
- Features: Media monitoring, sentiment analysis, and alerts.
- Pros: Comprehensive monitoring, useful alerts, and integration with other tools.
- Cons: Can be expensive, complex interface, and overwhelming for beginners.
8. Real-Life Scenarios: Why Hiding Tagged Photos Matters
Controlling tagged photos on Instagram is crucial in various real-life scenarios, ensuring your online presence aligns with your personal and professional goals. Here’s why managing tagged photos matters, illustrated with practical examples.
8.1. Professional Reputation
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Scenario: A job seeker is tagged in photos from a college party, including some with questionable behavior.
- Impact: Potential employers may view these photos, impacting their perception of the candidate’s professionalism.
- Solution: The job seeker should hide these photos from their profile or remove the tags to maintain a professional online image.
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Scenario: A real estate agent is tagged in photos promoting a competitor’s business.
- Impact: Clients and colleagues may perceive this as a conflict of interest, damaging the agent’s reputation.
- Solution: The agent should remove the tag and communicate with the poster about the misunderstanding.
8.2. Privacy and Security
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Scenario: A user is tagged in photos that reveal their home address or other sensitive information.
- Impact: This information can be used by stalkers or identity thieves, compromising the user’s safety and privacy.
- Solution: The user should immediately remove the tag and report the photo to Instagram for violating privacy guidelines.
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Scenario: A minor is tagged in photos that could attract unwanted attention from predators.
- Impact: This can put the minor at risk of online grooming or exploitation.
- Solution: Parents should regularly monitor their child’s tagged photos and adjust privacy settings to protect their child’s safety.
8.3. Personal Relationships
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Scenario: A user is tagged in photos with an ex-partner, causing discomfort and awkwardness in their current relationship.
- Impact: This can create tension and distrust in the current relationship.
- Solution: The user should hide the photos from their profile or remove the tags to avoid unnecessary drama.
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Scenario: A user is tagged in photos that embarrass or humiliate them, causing emotional distress.
- Impact: This can lead to feelings of shame, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
- Solution: The user should communicate with the poster about their feelings and request that the photo be removed.
8.4. Brand Alignment
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Scenario: An influencer is tagged in photos promoting a product that conflicts with their brand values.
- Impact: This can damage the influencer’s credibility and alienate their audience.
- Solution: The influencer should remove the tag and communicate with the brand about the misalignment.
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Scenario: A company is tagged in photos that contain offensive or inappropriate content, tarnishing its brand image.
- Impact: This can lead to negative publicity and loss of customer trust.
- Solution: The company should remove the tag and address the issue with the poster to protect its brand image.
8.5. Legal Compliance
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Scenario: A user is tagged in photos that violate copyright laws or contain illegal content.
- Impact: This can expose the user to legal liabilities and penalties.
- Solution: The user should immediately remove the tag and report the photo to Instagram for violating its terms of service.
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Scenario: A business is tagged in photos that violate advertising regulations or make false claims.
- Impact: This can lead to legal action from regulatory authorities and damage the business’s reputation.
- Solution: The business should remove the tag and ensure that all tagged content complies with applicable laws and regulations.
9. How to Ensure Your Friends Respect Your Tagging Preferences
To maintain control over your online presence, it’s essential to communicate your tagging preferences to your friends. According to research from the Pew Research Center, clear communication can significantly reduce misunderstandings and promote respect for individual boundaries online.
9.1. Communicate Openly and Clearly
- Be Direct: Express your preferences clearly and directly. For example, “I prefer not to be tagged in photos without my permission.”
- Use Specific Examples: Provide specific examples of the types of photos or situations you’d rather avoid being tagged in. For example, “Please don’t tag me in photos from parties or events without asking first.”
- Explain Your Reasons: Explain why you have these preferences, whether it’s for privacy, professional image, or personal comfort. For example, “I’m trying to maintain a professional online presence, so I prefer not to be tagged in casual photos.”
9.2. Educate Your Friends About Tagging Etiquette
- Share Information: Share articles or resources about proper tagging etiquette and the importance of respecting others’ preferences.
- Lead by Example: Practice good tagging etiquette yourself by always asking for permission before tagging someone in a photo.
- Promote Awareness: Encourage your friends to be mindful of the potential impact of tagged photos on others’ lives and reputations.
9.3. Set Clear Boundaries
- Define Your Limits: Clearly define your limits regarding tagged photos and communicate these boundaries to your friends.
- Be Consistent: Consistently enforce your boundaries and address any violations promptly and respectfully.
- Use Instagram’s Features: Utilize Instagram’s features for managing tagged photos, such as manual tag approval and tagging permissions, to reinforce your boundaries.
9.4. Offer Alternatives
- Suggest Other Ways to Share: Suggest alternative ways to share photos or memories without tagging you, such as sending them privately or sharing them in a closed group.
- Propose Compromises: Propose compromises that respect both your preferences and your friends’ desire to share photos. For example, “You can tag me in photos, but please send them to me first so I can approve them.”
- Encourage Open Dialogue: Encourage your friends to ask questions or express concerns about your tagging preferences, and be open to discussing their perspectives.
9.5. Express Gratitude and Appreciation
- Thank Your Friends: Thank your friends for respecting your tagging preferences and for being considerate of your feelings.
- Acknowledge Their Efforts: Acknowledge their efforts to accommodate your preferences and show appreciation for their understanding.
- Build Positive Relationships: By communicating your tagging preferences respectfully and appreciating your friends’ cooperation, you can build stronger and more positive relationships.
Managing your tagged photos on Instagram is about more than just hiding unwanted images; it’s about curating your digital identity and maintaining control over your personal brand. By following these steps, you can effectively manage how you’re presented online. If you are in Santa Fe visit us at 1600 St Michael’s Dr, Santa Fe, NM 87505, United States. Alternatively, give us a call +1 (505) 471-6001 or visit our website dfphoto.net for more information and resources.
FAQ: Managing Tagged Photos on Instagram
1. Can I hide tagged photos from specific people only?
No, Instagram doesn’t offer a feature to hide tagged photos from specific individuals. You can either hide the photo from your profile for everyone or remove the tag entirely.
2. What happens when I remove a tag?
When you remove a tag, the photo will no longer appear in the “Tagged” section of your profile. However, the photo will still be visible on the profile of the person who posted it.
3. Will the person who tagged me be notified if I hide or remove a tag?
Instagram does not directly notify users when you hide a tagged photo from your profile. However, if you remove the tag, they may notice that your username is no longer associated with the photo.
4. How can I prevent people from tagging me in the future?
You can adjust your tagging permissions in the privacy settings. Choose “People You Follow” to allow only people you follow to tag you, or enable “Manually Approve Tags” to review all tags before they appear on your profile.
5. Is there a way to approve or reject tags in bulk?
Yes, Instagram allows you to review and approve or reject tags in bulk. Go to “Settings,” then “Privacy,” and “Tags,” and select “Pending Tags” to manage multiple tags at once.
6. Can I hide tagged photos on Instagram from my computer?
Yes, you can manage tagged photos on Instagram from your computer through the website. The process is similar to using the mobile app: go to your profile, select the “Tagged” section, and manage the photos as needed.
7. How do I report a tagged photo that violates Instagram’s guidelines?
To report a tagged photo, open the photo, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select “Report.” Follow the prompts to provide details about the violation.
8. What should I do if someone continues to tag me in unwanted photos?
If someone repeatedly tags you in unwanted photos, consider blocking them. This will prevent them from tagging you in the future.
9. Does hiding a tagged photo affect the original poster in any way?
No, hiding a tagged photo from your profile only affects its visibility on your profile. The photo remains on the original poster’s account and is still visible to their followers.
10. If I make my account private, does it affect my tagged photos?
Yes, if you make your account private, only your followers will be able to see the tagged photos on your profile. Non-followers will not be able to view any of your tagged photos.