Sharing on Instagram: Spread Engaging Content With Friends

When you think of engaging your followers on Instagram, driving likes and comments might come to mind first. But there’s another way people can interact with your content to drive not just engagement but reach, too. Yup, we’re talking about sharing on Instagram.

But what does it mean to share something on Instagram, and how do you do it? That’s what we’re covering in this guide today. Whether it’s a cool feed post or Stories you’re tagged in, we’re here to teach you how to share content. Keep scrolling to learn how to do it (and to see the answers to common questions about sharing Instagram posts!).

What Is the Share Button on Instagram?

First things first—what is the share button on Instagram? It’s pretty self-explanatory—this paper plane-shaped arrow button is what you tap if you want to share an Instagram post. It’s your gateway to connecting with others on the platform and sharing awesome content with them.

Every social media platform has its version of “sharing” someone else’s post. On Twitter, this is better known as “quoting” or “re-tweeting” someone’s tweet. On Facebook, there’s the all-too-familiar share button that literally spells out the word “Share.” However, on Instagram, you can tap the iconic paper plane button to pass on cool content to friends and followers.

Clicking on that arrow button allows you to share Instagram content with others in various ways. You can share someone’s post on your Story or send it through direct message to a friend. There are also options to send it directly to other social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Messenger, Twitter, and more. You can also simply copy a link to that post and paste it into whatever messaging app you’re on.

Why Do People Like Sharing on Instagram?

According to the Harvard Business Review, sharing on social media goes back to the same motivations for “word of mouth”. People like to share their experiences because they’re enjoyable, funny, and informative. It lets people feel self-involvement. It makes them feel like they have authority over whatever it is they’re sharing.

And this is exactly why people share content on Instagram today, too. Most users share content they find interesting and valuable, so they share it with those who might like it, too. Brands and influencers, on the other hand, might sometimes share content to assert their expertise over their niches.

Here are some other common reasons why users like to share content on social media:

• People might see content they find relatable and share it with friends for a good laugh.
• Brands share user-generated content to showcase posts where customers feature their products. This serves as social proof that they’re a legitimate business with high-quality products.
• Loyal fans might share content from influencers and celebrities they love. It’s a great way to support their projects and spread awareness about them.
• Content creators might share posts by brands with which they’ve collaborated in the past. This is another sign of support, this time between partners and collaborators.

How To Share a Post on Instagram: An Easy Tutorial

Sharing posts with your followers allows you to spread valuable information and content with them without making your own. Users will typically share these cool posts with their followers through Instagram Stories. Here’s how to share a post on Instagram, step by step:

1. Find the Instagram feed post you want to share.

2. Click the paper plane-shaped arrow button underneath the post.

3. In the pop-up menu, you can choose to send this post to someone via DM or through other apps. But to add it to your Instagram Stories for public viewing, click Add to Story.

4. This opens the Story editor screen. You can reposition and resize the shared post by pinching and dragging it anywhere on the screen.

5. Customize your Story however you want. Add text, music, stickers, and more.

6. When you like how your Story post looks, click the arrow button on the lower-right corner.

7. Choose the audience for your Story post. You can choose between all followers and only your Close Friends.

8. Finally, hit Share.

How To Share a Post on Instagram to My Feed: Is It Possible?

After finding someone’s post interesting, you might think, “I wonder how to share a post on Instagram to my feed.” Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but it’s currently not possible to do that on Instagram. If you want to share someone’s post for your followers to see, you can only do it on your Story.

Instagram doesn’t allow users to share posts on their feed to protect the original poster’s intellectual property rights. If you were to share someone’s post on your feed, people might misconstrue it as your original work. The original poster always credits themselves as the creator of content shared only on Stories.

How Can You Repost an Instagram Post Outside of the App?

Again, Instagram doesn’t have an in-app feature that allows people to repost someone’s content on their own feeds. But it’s pretty much an open secret that you can repost someone’s feed post by using third-party resharing apps.

These third-party apps can download someone’s feed post for you. Then, they’ll typically add a symbol or watermark somewhere to show that you are reposting someone else’s content.

So, how can you repost an Instagram post on your feed without going through the app? Here’s how the process typically goes:

1. Choose a resharing app or website that you trust. Look for ones with many reputable reviews.

2. Find the Instagram post you want to repost on your feed.

3. Click the paper plane button.

4. Tap the Copy link to copy the URL to the post.

5. Go back to the resharing app and paste the URL there. The app will pull up the original post and generate a repostable version of it with a repost symbol.

6. Download the new photo to save it to your device.

7. Open Instagram and create a new post. Then, upload the photo you downloaded from the reposting app.

8. Customize the post to make it somewhat your own. Add a caption that tells the story of how you came across the post. Then, credit the original poster properly by tagging it on the post.

9. Finally, click Share to upload the post to your feed.

This method is a great workaround if you truly want to share someone’s post on your feed. However, a good rule of thumb is to still ask permission from the original poster before reposting their content. Then, credit them properly in the caption of your reposted content.

How To Share a Video on Instagram

There are many different interesting video post formats on Instagram you can share on your account. These include funny or relatable Instagram Reels as well as videos on your friends’ Stories where they mention you.

Here’s how to share a video on Instagram, whether it’s a Reel or a Story post.

How To Share a Reel on Instagram Stories

It’s not uncommon to find a Reel you want to share with your followers. It might be a Reel featuring your favorite singer or a funny skit you and your friends can relate to. Sharing these bite-sized videos is a terrific way to engage others and support other creators by spreading their content.

Are you ready to share fun videos with your followers? Here’s how to share a Reel on Instagram Stories:

1. Find the Instagram Reel you want to share on your Story.

2. Click the paper plane-shaped share button on the right side of the screen. It should be right below the comment icon.

3. Tap Add to story.

4. Reposition the Reel however you want on your Story.

5. Add other elements to personalize your shared post. You can include text and stickers or even change the background color of your Story.

6. Then, click the arrow at the bottom right of the screen.

7. Choose the audience you want to show your Story to. Then, click Share.

How To Share Someone’s Instagram Story Video on Your Own

Are you wondering how to share someone’s Instagram Story videos with your own Stories? Unfortunately, you can’t just do that with any Story post. You can only share someone’s Story video on your own if the original poster tags you. Here’s how to do it, step by step:

1. When someone mentions you in their Story video, Instagram will send a notification. Click that notification, or just open your direct message with the original poster.

2. In the chat, you should see the Stories that the person has mentioned you in. Click Add this to your Story underneath the video you want to share on your Story.

3. This opens the Story editor screen. Customize your shared Story however you want.

4. Click Share when you’re ready to publish the Story mention.

Drive Your Own Instagram Shares: How To Get People To Share Your Content

Shares are a lot harder to come by than likes and comments, which Instagram users give out like candy. Sharing a post requires people to memorialize that piece of content on their pages, typically their Stories. Plus, there’s the extra step of customizing shared posts in the Story editor. So, when someone shares your content on their page, you know it means they really liked it.

But how exactly can you entice your target audience to want to spread your posts to others? Here are a few quick tips on how to get people to share your content on their own Instagram pages:

• Make fresh, valuable, out-of-the-box content. The more unique and intriguing your content, the more likely people are to share it with others. Use eye-catching graphics with a playful, interesting aesthetic. You can also go the more practical route and make shareable content like tutorials, product demos, infographics, and more.

• Create relatable Reels that evoke emotion. If you’re making video posts, consider producing content that is humorous, entertaining, poignant, and relatable. Use your storytelling skills to make people laugh or cry. Evoking strong emotions in viewers makes a post that much more shareable.

• Collaborate with other brands and influencers. By posting content featuring other popular Instagram accounts, you can tap their fanbase. Their followers might spot your content and share it on their feed to support the brands they love.

• Offer a prize to people who share your content. A great way to execute this idea is by running a giveaway with a neat prize up for grabs. Require participants to share the giveaway post on their Stories to spread the word.

How To Make Posts Shareable on Instagram

Even if you have a public Instagram page, you have a say as to whether people can share your posts. Here’s how to make posts shareable on Instagram:

1. Go to your Instagram profile.

2. Click on the three horizontal lines at the top-right corner of the page.

3. Select Sharing and remixes.

4. Turn on the toggle for what posts you want to make shareable. You can do it for feed posts, and Reels shared on people’s Stories and Story sharing through messages.

Note that if you have a private Instagram account, no one can share your posts on their Story. However, you can decide whether people can share your Stories when you’ve mentioned them in those posts.

Share Posts You Think Your Followers Will Love To Boost Engagement on IG

Now that you know how to share posts on your Instagram Story, find the coolest, most relevant ones to post. Make sure you pick out cool photos and video posts your followers will find interesting. That way, you can reap the benefits of high engagement without having to post anything new.

Do you want more people to see what you’re sharing on Instagram? Grow your fanbase to share interesting content with more users. The trusty Path Social team can help you do that.

We use AI-driven algorithms to look for your target audience and push out your content to them. They’ll discover your page and hopefully give you a follow. From there, they’ll see all your content on their feeds—whether it’s original or shared posts. Who knows, you might even get more shares on your posts after gaining more followers. So, grow your Instagram community today with Path Social!