How to Give Video Credit on Instagram

Using a viral video in your Instagram feed can be a huge creative win, but sharing it the wrong way can damage your reputation or even get your post taken down. Giving proper credit is more than a formality, it’s a non-negotiable part of being a good digital citizen. This guide covers exactly how to credit video creators correctly and ethically, so you can build community instead of burning bridges.

Why Giving Proper Video Credit Matters More Than You Think

Tagging the original creator isn’t just about following the rules or avoiding a takedown notice. When done right, crediting is a powerful brand-building strategy that shows your audience you value creativity and fairness.

It Builds an Ethical, Community-Focused Brand

Your actions on social media define your brand's reputation. When you give clear, enthusiastic credit, you signal to your audience and other creators that you respect their work. This simple act builds trust and positions your brand as an ethical player in the space. Creators are far more likely to engage with, reshare, or collaborate with brands that have a history of treating user-generated content (UGC) with respect. In contrast, accounts known for reposting without credit quickly earn a reputation for being lazy or disrespectful.

It Feeds the Algorithm and Boosts Engagement

The Instagram algorithm loves connection and engagement. When you properly tag a creator using an @-mention and the "Tag People" feature, they receive a notification. This prompts them to check out your post, potentially liking it, commenting on it, or even sharing it to their own Stories. This cross-promotion introduces your account to their audience, driving new viewers and potential followers to your page. Failing to tag a creator shuts down this potential conversation, leaving valuable, organic reach on the table.

It's a Sign of Professional Respect

At its core, giving credit is about acknowledging the time, effort, and creativity someone invested in making a piece of content. Whether it was shot on a professional camera or an iPhone, someone took the time to come up with the idea, film it, edit it, and share it. Proper attribution is the professional and human way to say, "We see the work you put in, and we appreciate it." This courtesy strengthens online communities and fosters a culture of mutual support rather than content theft.

The Wrong Ways to Give Credit (And Why They Don’t Work)

Many accounts try to give credit but fall short by using lazy or misleading methods. These common mistakes not only fail to properly honor the creator but can also make your brand look unprofessional.

Mistake 1: The "Credit to Owner" or "DM for Credit" Caption

This is arguably the most common and ineffective way to credit someone. Phrases like "credit: OC," "video credit to the owner," or "DM for credit/removal" are vague and unhelpful. They place the responsibility on the original creator to hunt you down and prove their ownership, which is fundamentally unfair. More importantly, it denies them the primary benefits of a credit: exposure and direct traffic to their profile. A proper credit should be a clickable link back to the source, not a dead end.

Mistake 2: Hiding the Credit in a Sea of Hashtags

Another common tactic is to bury the creator's handle at the very end of a long caption, lost among 20 other hashtags. While technically the "credit" is there, its placement suggests an attempt to hide it. The goal of crediting is to celebrate and amplify the original artist, not to check a box while hoping no one notices. Captions are often truncated in the feed, meaning a buried credit won't even be visible unless a user taps "more." Always place your credit at the very top of your caption where it's immediately visible.

Mistake 3: Just Mentioning Someone in a Story That Vanishes

Sharing a Reel to your Story and adding an @-mention sticker is a great way to temporarily feature content. However, it's not a substitute for proper credit on a permanent feed post or Reel. Because Stories disappear after 24 hours, the credit vanishes along with them. If you post a video to your permanent grid, the credit must also be permanent. Using disappearing credit for a permanent post is misleading and does not fulfill your ethical obligation to the creator.

Mistake 4: Taking a Screenshot or Screen Recording and Reposting

Never, ever screen record or screenshot someone else’s video to repost it as your own file. This is the digital equivalent of photocopying a painting and signing your name to it. It strips all original metadata, significantly reduces the video quality, and often feels like a deliberate attempt to pass the work off as your own. Platforms like Instagram have built-in sharing and "Remix" tools for a reason, use those features instead.

The Gold Standard: How to Give Video Credit on Instagram (Step-by-Step)

Now that you know what not to do, here is the professional, step-by-step process for correctly crediting video content on Instagram. Following these guidelines will protect your brand and help you build strong relationships with content creators.

Step Zero: Always Ask for Permission First!

Before you even think about posting, get permission. The best credit in the world is meaningless if the creator never agreed to have their work featured on your page. Find the video, send the creator a polite and direct message, and wait for their approval.

A simple message works best:

"Hi [Creator Name]! We're huge fans of your work, and we absolutely loved your recent video about [topic]. Would it be okay if we shared it on our Instagram profile, @[YourHandle]? We would, of course, give you full credit in the caption and tag you in the video. Thanks!"

Most creators appreciate the exposure and will happily agree. But if they say no or don’t respond, respect their decision and find a different piece of content. Securing permission is the essential first step.

Crediting in an Instagram Reel

Reels are the prime format for sharing viral videos. Use all three of these methods for an ironclad credit.

• 1. The Prominent @-Mention: The very first line of your caption should be the credit. Don't hide it. Make it impossible to miss.
  Examples: cinematography by @[creatorhandle] 🎥 or "An incredible moment captured by the talented @[creatorhandle]!"
• 2. Use the "Tag People" Feature: Before you tap "Share," tap on "Tag people." Search for the creator’s handle and tag their account directly on the Reel. This links their profile to your video and sends them a direct notification that they've been tagged in your content, making it easy for viewers to navigate to their page.
• 3. (Best Case) Use the "Invite Collaborator" Feature: If the creator agrees beforehand, the Collaboration feature is the ultimate form of credit. This makes the creator a co-author of the post. The Reel will appear on both of your profiles, share the same like and comment counts, and organically show it to both of your audiences. To do this, tap "Tag people" and then "Invite collaborator."

Crediting in an Instagram Story

Stories are a lower-stakes format, but credit is just as important. The key is to make the credit interactive and easy to spot.

• Use the @-Mention Sticker: This is the best method. When you’re editing your Story, tap the sticker icon at the top of the screen and choose the "@Mention" sticker. Type in the creator’s username, and position the interactive sticker somewhere visible on the screen. This allows viewers to tap the sticker and go straight to the creator’s profile.
• Plain Text Mention: If you prefer text, you can simply type `@[creatorhandle]` into a text box on your Story. This will also create a clickable link to their profile, though the dedicated sticker is usually more prominent and engaging.

Crediting in a Carousel or Feed Video Post

For standard video posts on your grid, the process is nearly identical to crediting a Reel.

• Put the @-Mention First in the Caption: As always, start your caption with a clear and enthusiastic credit. Show your audience right away that you’re featuring another creator's skill.
• Tag the Creator in the Post: Just like a photo, you can tag accounts in a video post. Tap "Tag people," find their username, and tap on the video to place the tag. It will appear when a user taps on your video in the feed.

Going the Extra Mile: Build Relationships, Not Just a Feed

Properly crediting content isn’t just a task to be completed, it's an opportunity to build genuine connections that can benefit your brand for years.

Don’t Just Tag - Talk to Them

Once you’ve shared the post with full credit, slide into the creator’s DMs with a quick thank you message. A simple, "Just wanted to let you know we shared your video! It looks great on our feed. Thanks again for letting us feature you," goes a long way. It reinforces your professionalism and closes the loop on your interaction, turning a simple transaction into a positive relationship.

Celebrate Their Work Genuinely

Your caption should do more than just provide a credit. Explain why you chose that specific video. What impressed you about it? What do you think your audience will love? Adding a sentence or two of genuine praise, like, "We were blown away by the storytelling in this video from @[creatorhandle]," shows that you authentically value their work. This genuine celebration feels less extractive and more supportive.

Turn Today's Credit into Tomorrow's Collaboration

If you feature a creator's video and your audience loves it, that’s a massive signal. You’ve just found someone who resonates with your community. This is a perfect opportunity to transition from curation to collaboration. Reach out to them about creating original content for your brand. What started as a simple request to repost a video can become a powerful, paid partnership that yields amazing, custom content for your page.

Final Thoughts

Giving proper video credit on Instagram is about more than avoiding trouble, it’s a smart strategy for building an ethical brand, engaging with your community, and connecting with talented creators. Always start by asking for permission, and then provide clear, prominent credit using @-mentions in captions and tags on the video itself.

Planning out our content calendar, we often schedule curated videos from amazing creators. Managing all those permissions, credits, and conversations can get tangled fast. At Postbase, we built a unified inbox that keeps all DMs and comments in one place, so we never miss a permission request or a thank-you note after tagging a creator. It helps us keep our content organized and our relationships with creators strong, all from one clean dashboard. Juggling everything with Postbase just feels simpler and more manageable.