How to Get an Instagram Post URL

Finding the URL for a specific Instagram post seems like it should be easy, but it can be surprisingly confusing when you're in a hurry. Whether you need to embed a post on your website, share it in an email, or save it for reference, getting that direct link is a fundamental skill for any social media user or marketer. This guide will show you exactly how to get an Instagram post URL from any device and for any type of content, from regular feed posts to Reels and Stories.

Why Would You Even Need an Instagram Post URL?

Before jumping into the "how," it helps to understand the "why." A direct link to an Instagram post is more versatile than you might think. You're not just sharing it within the app, you're unlocking its potential to be used everywhere else on the web.

Here are some of the most common reasons you might need a post’s URL:

• Sharing Outside of Instagram: The most obvious reason is to share content with people who aren't on Instagram or in places where a simple screenshot won’t do. You can paste the link into an email, a Slack message, a text message, or another social network to direct people straight to the source.
• Embedding on a Website or Blog: If you want to feature an Instagram post in a blog article or on your website, you need its URL to generate the correct embed code. This creates an interactive post on your page instead of a static image.
• User-Generated Content (UGC) Campaigns: When running a contest or collecting UGC, you often need participants to submit the direct link to their post to verify their entry and make it easy for you to track.
• Marketing Collaboration and Approval: For social media managers and marketing teams, specific URLs are essential for planning and review. You can drop links into project management tools, spreadsheets, or documents to show your team or clients exactly which posts you’re talking about for feedback or approval.
• Analytics and Reporting: Many third-party analytics tools require the post URL to pull specific data or track the performance of a particular piece of content.
• Building a Swipe File or Reference Library: Sighted some great content from a competitor or an influencer? Saving the post URL is the best way to build a library of inspiration that you can come back to later.

How to Get an Instagram Post URL from the Mobile App (iOS & Android)

Most of us use Instagram on our phones, so this is the method you’ll probably use most often. The process is identical for both iPhone and Android devices. It takes just a few taps.

The "Share Icon" Method (Easiest)

This is the quickest and most direct way to copy a link.

1. Open the Instagram app and navigate to the post (photo, video, or Reel) you want the URL for. It can be your own post or a post from another account.
2. Tap the Share icon, which looks like a paper airplane, located underneath the post's image or video.
3. From the menu that appears at the bottom, tap on "Copy Link." The button might be represented by a small chain link icon.

That's it! The URL is now copied to your device’s clipboard. You can paste it wherever you need it - a text message, notes app, or email.

The "Three Dots" Method (Alternative)

Sometimes Instagram's interface changes, but this method has remained a reliable backup for years.

1. Find the post whose URL you want to copy.
2. Tap the three dots icon (...) located at the top-right corner of the post.
3. A menu will slide up from the bottom. Find and tap the option that says "Link" or "Copy Link." The wording can vary slightly in different app versions.

Just like the other method, this action copies the direct URL to your clipboard, ready for you to paste.

How to Get an Instagram Post URL from a Desktop Browser

If you're working on a computer, grabbing a post URL is even more straightforward. It's often easier for tasks like content planning or embedding posts into a blog.

Method 1: Copy from the Address Bar (The Fastest Way)

This method works in any web browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari and is practically foolproof.

1. Go to Instagram.com and log in to your account.
2. Navigate to the profile that has the post you want.
3. Click on the specific post from their grid to open it in a dedicated view (it will pop up in a lightbox or open on its own page).
4. Look at the address bar at the very top of your browser window. That is the direct URL for the post.
5. Click into the address bar to highlight the URL, then right-click and select "Copy," or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+C on Windows or Cmd+C on Mac).

This is the most direct technique because what you see in the address bar *is* the link you need. There’s no secondary menu to find.

Method 2: Use the "Copy Link" Option (Just Like Mobile)

If you prefer a consistent workflow similar to the mobile app, Instagram's desktop site offers that option, too.

1. Navigate to the post you want to get the link for.
2. Once you've clicked on the post to open it, look for the three dots icon (...) in the top-right corner of the post window.
3. Click on the three dots. A small menu will appear.
4. Select "Copy link."

A confirmation message, "Link copied," will briefly appear on your screen. The URL is now on your computer’s clipboard.

Getting URLs for Different Types of Instagram Content

While the steps are mostly the same, it helps to know how Instagram handles URLs for its various content formats. Understanding this can save you from a few common headaches.

Single Photo and Video Posts

Standard feed posts have a simple and predictable URL structure: https://www.instagram.com/p/PostID/. The process for getting this link is exactly as described in the sections above, both on mobile and desktop.

Carousel Posts

Carousel posts, which contain multiple photos and videos in one swipeable post, function just like regular posts. A common question is whether you can link to a *specific slide* within a carousel. The answer is no. The URL you get links to the entire carousel post, and it will always start on the first slide. The structure is the same: https://www.instagram.com/p/PostID/.

Instagram Reels

Reels are Instagram’s short-form video feature, and they have their own unique URL structure: https://www.instagram.com/reel/ReelID/. However, the good news is that the process for getting the URL is exactly the same as for a regular post.

Whether on mobile or desktop, you can use either the Share icon (paper airplane) or the three dots (...) to find the "Copy Link" option. The system works seamlessly, pointing users directly to your Reel.

Instagram Stories

Getting a link to a Story is where things get a bit different. Because Stories are ephemeral and designed to disappear after 24 hours, their URLs behave differently.

• For Live Stories (within 24 hours): You can copy the link to someone’s active Story. While viewing the Story on the mobile app, tap the three dots icon (...) at the top right and select "Copy Link." This URL will work for as long as the Story is live. Once it expires, the link will no longer work.
• For Story Highlights: If a Story has been saved to a user's Highlights on their profile, you can get a more permanent link. Navigate to the user's profile, tap on the Highlight you want to share, and while it's playing, use the paper airplane or three dots icon to copy the link. This link will take viewers directly to that Highlight, even after the original 24 hours have passed.

Smarter Ways to Use Your Instagram URLs

Now that you know how to get a link to any Instagram post, you can start using them more strategically.

Create a Clean Back-End for Your "Link in Bio"

If you use a "link in bio" service that creates a clickable replica of your Instagram grid, you'll need the individual URLs for each post. Knowing how to quickly grab these makes updating your landing page much faster.

Embed Authentic Social Proof on Your Website

Got a great customer photo or a glowing review post? Don’t just screenshot it. Go to the post on your desktop browser, click the three dots (...), and choose "Embed." Instagram will generate a snippet of HTML code that includes the post URL. When you paste this code into your website, it creates a fully interactive - and more credible - version of the post.

Keep a Performance Spreadsheet

For marketers, a simple but effective habit is to keep a spreadsheet of your content. Create columns for the post date, a short description, the content type (e.g., Reel, Carousel), and, most important, the post URL. This becomes an organized library that makes campaign analysis, monthly reporting, and future planning much smoother.

Final Thoughts

Getting the URL of an Instagram post, whether from your phone or computer, is a straightforward process once you know where to look. By using the 'Share' or 'Copy Link' options hidden behind the three dots or paper airplane icon, you can easily grab a direct link to any photo, video, Reel, live Story, or Highlight for use anywhere on the web.

Once you have these links, managing them is the next step, especially when you're tracking lots of content. At Postbase, we built our platform with modern marketing in mind. Having a visual calendar where your scheduled content is laid out automatically keeps your workflow smooth and organized. Instead of hunting down published URLs one by one for your reports or for your content archive, you've got a central hub that helps you strategize without getting lost in the minor tasks.