How to Repost on Instagram
You've come across an interesting post and want to share it with your followers? Or need to mention a colleague and show their content to your audience? A repost on Instagram is exactly what you need.
Instagram doesn't have a direct "repost to feed" button like some other social networks. But there are several ways to share someone else's content: to stories, to Direct, to external platforms. And for reposting to the feed, there are workarounds.
In this article — all the ways to repost on Instagram. For phone, for different formats, with proper attribution and without violations.
What is a repost on Instagram and why is it needed
A repost is publishing someone else's content on your profile or in your stories with credit to the author. It serves several purposes.
You share useful content with your audience, even if you didn't create it yourself. You tag the author, building relationships with other bloggers. You fill your feed when you don't have time or ideas for your own content. You show followers that you follow trends and read other experts.
Important rule: always credit the author. Don't pass off someone else's content as your own.
Method 1. Repost to stories (the easiest)
This is an official Instagram feature. Works for any post: photo, video, carousel, Reels.
Step 1. Open the post you want to share. It can be any user's post, including your own old post.
Step 2. Tap the paper airplane icon or "Send" below the post (next to the like and comment buttons).
Step 3. In the menu that appears, select "Add post to your story" (plus icon or "Story" text).
Step 4. The story editor will open. The post will appear on screen. You can: change size and position (zoom in, zoom out, rotate), add your own text, stickers, GIFs, drawings. The author's name and a "view post" icon usually appear at the bottom — don't remove them, they indicate attribution.
Step 5. Tap "Your story" (bottom) or "Publish." Done. Your followers will see this post in your stories. When they tap it, they'll be taken to the author's original post.
How to adjust story repost privacy. You can choose who sees this story: all followers, close friends only, or specific people. Before publishing, tap "Story settings" (gear or lock icon).
Method 2. Repost to feed (unofficial)
There is no direct "repost to feed" button on Instagram. But you can do a manual, careful repost.
Option A. Screenshot + publish as your own photo (with attribution)
Step 1. Take a screenshot of the post you want to share. Try to make the screenshot clean: you can crop out extra elements (likes, comments, buttons).
Step 2. Publish this screenshot as a regular post in your feed. In the caption, be sure to credit the author with @username. Write why you're sharing this post, add your own thoughts.
Step 3. In the comments or caption, you can add a link to the original post (copy the link via the three dots → "Copy link").
Drawback of this method: A screenshot is not an interactive post. Followers cannot tap it to go directly to the author. They would need to search manually or click a link.
Option B. Using third-party apps
There are apps for reposting to the feed: Repost for Instagram, Regrann, and others. They work like this: you copy the post link, the app fetches the content, adds a watermark with the author's name, and lets you publish it as your own post.
How to use. Download the app (Repost for Instagram is one of the most popular). On Instagram, tap the three dots on the post → "Copy link." Open the repost app; it will grab the link. Download the photo or video (with or without the author's watermark). Publish on Instagram as a regular post. Credit the author in the caption.
Important warning: Reposting through third-party apps is not formally prohibited, but Instagram doesn't like content being published without the original source. Always credit the author. And don't overdo it — 1 repost for every 5 of your own posts is a good balance.
Method 3. Reposting Reels
Reels are simpler than regular posts.
To stories. Same as with a regular post: tap the paper airplane icon under the Reels → "Add post to your story." The Reels will appear in your story as a clickable widget.
Directly to feed. No, you cannot repost a Reels to your feed as your own video. But you can: download the Reels (via third-party services or by asking the author) and upload it as your own video (with attribution). Or use "Add to favorites" or "Save" — but that's not a repost, just saving to your archive.
The best way to share someone else's Reels is to send it to followers via Direct or share it to your story.
Method 4. Repost via Direct (share with friends)
Not exactly a public repost, but a convenient way to share a post with specific people.
Step 1. Tap the paper airplane icon below the post.
Step 2. Choose recipients: one or multiple followers. You can send to a group chat.
Step 3. Add your own message (optional). Tap "Send."
The recipient will receive the post as a separate message in Direct. They can open and view it. This method doesn't create a public repost, but it's ideal for privately sharing content.
Method 5. Reposting your own old post
Want to show followers an old post they might have missed? Do it through stories.
Step 1. Find your old post in your feed or saved collection.
Step 2. Tap the paper airplane icon below the post.
Step 3. Select "Add post to your story."
Step 4. Design the story (you can add new text, stickers). Publish it.
Your followers will see this post in your stories. When they tap it, they'll go to the original post in your feed. A great way to "refresh" old good content.
How to properly format a repost: rules and etiquette
Always credit the author. In stories, the author's name appears automatically — don't cover it up. For feed reposts, write "Author: @username" in the caption.
Ask permission for personal posts. For public bloggers and brands, it's usually not required, but politeness never hurts.
Don't repost ads without asking.
Don't pass off others' work as your own. This directly violates copyright and Instagram's rules.
Why the "Add post to your story" button might be missing
Several possible reasons. The author's account is private. The user has disabled reposting of their posts (in privacy settings). The post has been deleted or is unavailable. A technical glitch (restart the app). You have an outdated version of the app.
If the author has disabled reposting, there's nothing you can do. Respect their choice.
Frequently asked questions about reposting on Instagram
How do I repost to the feed so it looks authentic?
Use third-party apps (Repost for Instagram). They automatically add a watermark with the author's name and a link to the original. Or publish a screenshot with the author credited in the caption.
Can I repost a video from Instagram to TikTok or YouTube?
Yes, technically you can. But this violates copyright. Always ask the author's permission. And credit the source.
Does the original author see that I reposted to my story?
Yes. The author will receive a notification that you shared their post to your story. If you tag them with @, they may see it in notifications. Some authors thank reposters and share back.
How do I delete a repost if I change my mind?
If it's a story repost: delete the story like any other story (after 24 hours or manually). If it's a feed repost (as a post): delete it like any regular post (three dots → "Delete"). If you sent it via Direct: you can delete the message on your end, but it will remain with the recipient.
Why is the image cropped when I repost to stories?
Instagram automatically fits the original post into story format (9:16). Sometimes the image gets cropped. You can adjust size and position with your fingers in the editor before publishing.
Can I make money from reposts?
Indirectly — yes. If you share useful content, followers appreciate it. But there is no direct monetization of reposts. Don't try to repost others' posts with affiliate links — that violates rules.
Conclusion
There are several ways to repost on Instagram. The simplest and official method is sharing a post to stories. For feed reposts, use third-party apps or a screenshot with proper attribution. Reels are most easily shared via Direct or to stories.
The golden rule of reposting: always credit the author. Don't pass off others' content as your own. Respect others' work, and you'll be treated with the same respect.
Start right now. Find an interesting post in your feed, tap the paper airplane, and share it to your story. Add a few words of your own. Your followers will thank you.
*Instagram is owned by Meta, which has been recognized as an extremist organization and banned on the territory of the Russian Federation. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a call to use prohibited services on the territory of the Russian Federation.
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