YouTube Expands Automatic Location Tagging to Travel and Restaurant Shorts

Lindsey Gamble

YouTube is expanding automatic location tagging to travel and restaurant-related Shorts. The platform will use signals from the title, transcript, video frames, and description to determine which location tags to apply. These tags will show up as overlays in the Shorts player. Creators can opt out anytime through YouTube Studio.

Why It Matters: This update makes it easier for viewers to discover content tied to real-world places, while also helping creators boost visibility without added effort. It’s another step in YouTube’s push to integrate short-form video more deeply into local discovery and search, especially within Google’s broader ecosystem, which includes a dedicated Short Videos tab.

Instagram and TikTok have also recently updated their own location features with Friends Map and reviews. Friends Map allows users to share their real-time location with others and chat, while reviews showcase user feedback for specific places. Together, these updates reflect a broader trend: social platforms are playing an increasingly important role in how people explore and discover real-world locations.