How to Ask Permission to Repost on Instagram

Finding the perfect piece of content to share with your audience feels great, but before you hit that repost button, there's a critical step you can't skip: asking for permission. Getting a clear yes from the original creator isn't just about being polite, it’s a non-negotiable part of building a reputable and legally sound brand on Instagram. This guide will walk you through exactly why and how to properly ask for permission to repost content, with templates and best practices to help you build bridges, not burn them.

Why Asking for Permission is a Game-Changer

In the fast-paced world of social media, it can be tempting to see a user-generated photo or video that fits your brand perfectly and just share it with a quick credit. But taking a few extra minutes to formally ask for permission moves your brand from being a content aggregator to a community builder. This simple act has three massive benefits.

1. It's About Legal Respect (and Avoiding Trouble)

Let's get the big one out of the way first. When someone creates a photo, video, or piece of art, they own the copyright to it. Period. Reposting it without their explicit consent is, technically, copyright infringement. While it might seem harmless, brands have faced legal action for using user-generated content (UGC) without permission. A simple "@" mention in the caption doesn't transfer legal rights. Getting a documented "yes" - even a simple DM reply - creates a record that you have the creator's consent to use their work.

2. It Puts Community and Relationships First

Your brand is more than just products or services, it's a community. When you ask for permission, you're showing respect for the creator and their work. You're acknowledging their talent and giving them the agency to decide how their content is used. This simple act of consideration can turn a regular user into a loyal brand advocate. They're more likely to engage with you in the future, recommend your brand to their followers, and feel like a valued part of your community. It’s a small effort that builds immense long-term goodwill.

3. It Upholds Your Brand's Integrity

Professional brands operate with a high level of integrity. Just as you wouldn't use a stock photo without a license, you shouldn't use a user's content without their blessing. A proper permission process shows your audience and other creators that you are professional, respectful, and ethical. It says you value creators and are committed to building authentic, mutually beneficial relationships, which strengthens your overall brand reputation.

How to Ask for Permission: A Step-by-Step Guide

Alright, so you’re convinced. But what does asking for permission actually look like in practice? Here’s a simple, repeatable process you can use every time.

Step 1: Identify the Original Creator

Before you do anything else, make sure you've found the true source of the content. Sometimes, accounts repost content without credit, and you don’t want to ask the wrong person for permission. Look for these clues:

• Check the Photo/Video Tags: The creator might be tagged directly in the media.
• Read the Caption: Look for photo credits like "photo by @username" or "PC: @username".
• Scan the Comments: Sometimes, the creator will comment on a repost to claim their work.
• Look for Watermarks: See if there's a subtle watermark or logo on the image or in the video.
• Use a Reverse Image Search: If you're still not sure, you can use a tool like Google's reverse image search to try and find the original source.

Step 2: Choose Your Method: Comment or Direct Message?

You have two main avenues for reaching out on Instagram: a public comment or a private Direct Message (DM). Each has its pros and cons.

Commenting Publicly:

• Pros: A public comment can show other users that you're engaging with creators transparently. It’s quick and easy.
• Cons: Comments can easily get buried, especially on a popular post. It also feels a bit less personal and professional.

Sending a Direct Message (DM):

• Pros: This is the most professional and recommended method. It’s private, personal, and less likely to be missed. It also gives you a clear, saved record of your conversation.
• Cons: Your message might end up in their "Message Requests" folder, which some users don't check often. However, it's still the gold standard.

Our recommendation? Start with a DM. If you don't hear back after a few days, you can follow up with a friendly public comment like, "Hi! We sent you a quick DM about this amazing photo!"

Step 3: Craft the Perfect Permission Message

Your message should be polite, specific, and clear. Avoid generic, bot-like comments. A well-crafted message makes it much more likely you’ll get a positive response. Here’s a breakdown of what to include, plus some templates you can adapt.

Key Components of a Great Request:

1. A Genuine Compliment: Start by saying what you love about their post. Be specific.
2. Your Clear Request: Spell out exactly what you're asking. Do you want to share it on your feed? In your Stories?
3. How You'll Give Credit: This is a big one. Reassure them that you won't just steal their creative work. Explain exactly how you will credit them (e.g., "with full credit and a tag in our caption and photo").
4. A Simple Call to Action: Make it effortless for them to say yes. Ask them to just reply to your message. Finessing permission is your goal.

Template 1: The Standard DM Request (Great for Most Situations)

Hi [Creator's Name]!

We're big fans of your work, and this picture of [describe the photo/video] is incredible! We absolutely love the way you [mention something specific you like].

We’d love to share it on our Instagram profile, [@yourbrandaccount]. We would, of course, give you full credit in our caption and tag your account in the photo.

Please just reply here with "yes" if you’re happy for us to share it.

Thanks so much!
The [@yourbrandaccount] Team


Template 2: The Casual Public Comment

This shot is stunning, @[Creator's Username]! We’d love to feature it on our page, with full credit to you, of course. Check your DMs for details! ✨

Template 3: Multi-Platform Use Request (If You Want to Use It Beyond Instagram)

Hey [Creator's Name],

This [video/photo] is absolutely fantastic! We're planning content around [mention the topic], and this would be a perfect fit.

We'd be honored to feature it on our Instagram feed and possibly on our brand’s Facebook page and Pinterest as well. With every share, we would guarantee prominent credit, tagging your account directly in the post and caption.

Let us know if you're comfortable with that. A simple "yes" is all we need.

Cheers!

After You Get Permission: The Final Steps

Getting a "yes" is fantastic, but your job isn't done. Following through correctly is just as important as asking in the first place.

How to Give Proper Credit

Giving proper credit is your part of the bargain. Slapping a tag at the very end of a long caption doesn't cut it. Follow these best practices to give creators the visibility they deserve:

• Tag Them in the Caption: Mention their handle (e.g., "📸 by the amazing @[Creator's Username]") right at the beginning of your caption so it’s impossible to miss.
• Tag Them in the Photo/Video: Always tag their account directly in the media itself. This allows users to tap and go straight to their profile, and the post will appear in the "Tagged Photos" section of their profile.
• Avoid Editing Their Work: Unless you have explicitly asked, do not alter their photo or video. That means no new filters, no cropping out watermarks, and no adding your own text overlays. Repost their work as is to respect their original creative vision.

What if They Say No or Don't Respond?

It's simple: respect their decision. If a creator says no, thank them for their time and move on gracefully. If they don't respond at all, treat it as a no. Never follow up aggressively or repost the content anyway. There's plenty of other great content out there, and your brand's reputation for being respectful is far more valuable than a single post.

Alternatives to Reposting: Build Deeper Connections

Once you get comfortable connecting with creators, you can move beyond simple reposts and build more meaningful collaborations. This can have an even greater impact on your community and reach.

• Use the "Collab" Feature: Invite the creator to be an official collaborator on your post. This way, the post will appear on both of your profiles simultaneously, sharing the engagement (likes, comments, views) between you. It's a powerful way to cross-promote your audiences.
• Invite Them for a takeover: Ask a creator you admire if they'd be interested in taking over your Instagram Stories for a day to share their perspective or expertise.
• Feature Them in an Interview or Blog Post: Turn their great content into a bigger story. A DM asking for permission can be the start of a conversation that leads to a much more impactful partnership.

Final Thoughts

Asking for permission to repost on Instagram isn’t a tedious chore, it's a fundamental part of building an authentic, respectful, and successful brand. It protects you legally, strengthens your community ties, and elevates your reputation far more than any single piece of borrowed content ever could. Taking a few moments to send a thoughtful message shows you see users not just as content sources, but as valued members of your community.

Once you get permission and start weaving this excellent UGC into your schedule, managing it all cohesively with your own content can feel like a puzzle. At Postbase, we built our platform to solve this exact problem. Our visual content calendar allows you to see everything at a glance - your Reels, scheduled UGC, organic posts, and Stories - so you can spot gaps and create a balanced-out content flow. With rock-solid scheduling for all content formats, you can plan your posts with confidence, knowing everything will publish exactly when it should, all while managing your community conversations in a simplified, unified inbox.