How to Post Someone Else's Story on Instagram

Want to share an awesome Instagram Story to your own? It's one of the best ways to highlight a great post, show appreciation for a customer, or just share content that resonates with your audience. This guide breaks down exactly how to do it - whether you've been tagged directly or not - while respecting the original creator and building a stronger community.

The Easiest Way: When You're Tagged in a Story

This is the official, built-in method Instagram provides, and it's incredibly simple. When someone mentions your account (@yourusername) in their Story, Instagram sends you a notification and gives you a direct option to re-share it. This is the ideal scenario because it automatically includes attribution and a direct link back to the original creator's profile.

Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:

1. Check Your Direct Messages (DMs): When someone tags you in their Story, you’ll get a notification in your DMs. It will look like a preview of the Story with a message saying "[Username] mentioned you in their story."
2. Find the "Add to Your Story" Button: Right below the Story preview in your DM, you'll see a clickable button that says "Add to your story." Tap it.
3. Customize Your Re-Share: The creator's Story will now appear in your own Story editor as a "sticker." You can resize it, rotate it, and move it around the screen. This is your chance to add your own personality. You can:
   • Add a background color or photo.
   • Use the text tool to add your own comments, like "So glad you enjoyed this!" or "Look at this amazing shot from our customer!"
   • Include GIFs, polls, quizzes, or other interactive stickers to engage your audience further.
4. Post It: Once you're happy with how it looks, just hit the "Your Story" button at the bottom to share it with your followers. The re-shared Story will feature a clickable link that takes viewers back to the original creator's profile, making it a win-win for everyone.

One important thing to remember: This option is only available for 24 hours after the original Story was posted. Once their Story expires, the "Add to your story" button will disappear from your DMs.

When You're Not Tagged: How to Do It Right

What if you see a fantastic Story that you want to share, but you weren't mentioned in it? There's no direct "share" button for this. This is common if you want to feature user-generated content (UGC), highlight a partner's post, or simply share something valuable. In this case, the process involves a few more steps and - most importantly - is built on a foundation of respect and good social media etiquette.

Step 1: Always, Always Get Permission First

This isn't just a suggestion, it's the golden rule of sharing other people's content. Taking someone’s photo or video without asking is a major social media foul. Not only can it damage your brand's reputation, but it also disrespects the creator's work. Plus, asking for permission does more than just keep you out of trouble, it helps you build genuine relationships.

Getting permission is easy. Just send the creator a quick and friendly DM:

• "Hey! We absolutely love this Story. Would it be okay if we shared it on our own Story and gave you credit?"
• "This is such a great post! Our audience would love it. Any chance we could get your permission to re-share?"

Most of the time, creators and customers will be thrilled to be featured and will happily say yes. This simple act of courtesy shows you value their effort and can turn a passive follower into a passionate brand advocate.

Step 2: Save the Story from Their Profile

Once you have permission, you’ll need a way to save the content. Since there’s no download button, you'll rely on your phone's built-in features.

For a Static Image: The Screenshot Method

If the Story is a still image, a simple screenshot is your best bet.

• On iPhone: Press the side button and the volume up button at the same time.
• On Android: Press the power button and the volume down button at the same time (this can vary slightly by manufacturer).

After taking the screenshot, open your photo gallery and use the crop tool to neatly trim away the Instagram interface elements (like their profile picture at the top and the message bar at the bottom) so you're left with just the original content.

For a Video: The Screen Record Method

If the Story is a video, you'll need to use your phone's screen recording function. This captures everything happening on your screen, including the video and its audio.

• On iPhone: Open the Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner) and tap the screen record button (a circle within a circle). A three-second countdown will begin before it starts recording. Go to the Story, let it play, and then stop the recording from the Control Center.
• On Android: Pull down the notification shade and find the Screen Recorder tile. Tap it, follow the prompts, and navigate to the Instagram Story to record it.

Just like with screenshots, you'll want to edit the final video. Open your camera roll, select the video, and use the trim function to cut off the beginning and end where you're starting and stopping the recording. This makes the clip seamless and professional.

Step 3: Post the Story with Loud and Clear Credit

Now that you have the content and permission, it's time to share it. Giving proper credit is non-negotiable. Hiding a tag or making it barely visible comes across as disingenuous. You want to celebrate the original creator, not just use their content.

Here’s how to give credit the right way:

• Use the @Mention Sticker: Do not just type their username as plain text. Use the official `@mention` sticker from the sticker drawer. This creates a clickable link directly to their profile, making it easy for your followers to discover them.
• Make the Tag Visible: Don't shrink the tag to microscopic size or hide it behind a GIF. Place it clearly and prominently on the screen. The creator will appreciate feeling seen, and it's simply more honest with your audience.
• Add Context: Don't just post the image or video on its own. Add some text to frame it. For example, "Amazing shot by our talented customer, @[username]!" or "We couldn't agree more with this point from @[username]!" This adds your brand's voice and shows why you felt the content was worth sharing.
• Add Your Own Spin: This is a chance to add more value. You can overlay a "New Post" sticker, run a poll asking your audience what they think, or use the Question Box sticker to start a conversation related to the post. This turns a simple re-share into an interactive piece of content.

Why Sharing Stories is a Great Growth Strategy

Sharing someone else's Instagram Story isn't just about filling a slot on your content calendar, it's a powerful tactic for building your brand organically.

It Builds Powerful Social Proof

When you share a customer’s post featuring your product or service, you're showcasing real-world validation. This type of user-generated content (UGC) acts as an authentic testimonial. It’s far more persuasive than a self-promotional post because it comes from a neutral, trusted source: a happy customer. It shows potential buyers that people just like them are already using and loving what you offer.

It Fosters and Strengthens Your Community

Your social media presence shouldn't be a one-way street. By featuring your followers' content, you make them feel seen, valued, and appreciated. That small act of recognition can convert a casual follower into a loyal advocate for your brand. When people know you're listening and that there's a chance they could be featured, they become more likely to tag you in their posts, creating a wonderful, self-sustaining cycle of community-driven content.

It Eases Your Content Creation Burden

Let's be honest: creating original, high-quality content every single day is a grind. UGC is a fantastic resource to supplement your planned content. It provides a steady stream of authentic visuals and stories, taking some of the pressure off your marketing team. You can create a weekly "Fan Friday" or "UGC Tuesday" series to make Story-sharing a regular part of your strategy, keeping your feed active and engaging without having to build everything from scratch.

Final Thoughts

Sharing another person's Instagram Story is a simple yet effective way to connect with your community and celebrate the people who support your brand. If you're tagged, the process is quick and seamless. If you're not, always prioritize getting permission first and giving clear, prominent credit to the original creator. Following these guidelines builds trust and goodwill, turning a simple content share into a meaningful brand-building activity.

Speaking of keeping your calendar full and engaging with your community, that's where we've focused on making things simpler. Managing all that community-driven content, like remembering to share a customer's Story or replying to DMs after they’ve been featured, can get chaotic. With Postbase, we built a unified inbox that brings all your comments and DMs into one place so you can manage those conversations without jumping between apps. It helps you stay on top of those key community interactions that turn followers into fans.