How to Repost Someone Else's Post on Instagram

Sharing another creator's post on Instagram is an excellent way to fill your content calendar and build community, but the platform doesn't make it obvious how to do it correctly. This guide breaks down exactly why reposting is so effective and gives you step-by-step instructions for sharing feed posts, Stories, and Reels - the right way.

Why Bother Reposting? The Power of Curation and Community

Reposting, or sharing user-generated content (UGC), isn't just about finding filler for your feed. When done thoughtfully, it’s a powerful strategy that can transform your brand's presence. By showcasing content from your customers, fans, and peers, you’re not just posting a photo, you’re building social proof and strengthening your community.

Here’s why it works so well:

• It's Instant Social Proof: When potential customers see real people using and loving your products or services, it builds trust far more effectively than a traditional ad ever could. Every repost acts as a glowing testimonial that says, "Look, our community is active, happy, and engaged."
• It Fills Your Content Calendar: Let’s be honest, creating original content every single day is exhausting. Curating high-quality UGC from your followers gives you a steady stream of authentic material that lightens your content creation load while keeping your feed fresh and active.
• It Strengthens Your Community: Highlighting a follower's post is a simple but meaningful way to show appreciation. It makes them feel seen and valued, which deepens their loyalty to your brand and encourages others to share their own content in hopes of getting a feature.
• It Diversifies Your Feed: Over time, a brand’s feed can start to feel a little too polished or repetitive. UGC injects a dose of authentic, real-world perspective that breaks up the monotony and makes your brand feel more human and relatable.

The Unbreakable Rule of Reposting: Ask First, Give Credit Always

Before you copy a single link or take a single screenshot, this is the most important part of the entire process: you must get permission and give proper credit. Taking someone else's content without their consent is a violation of their intellectual property rights and, on a practical level, just a bad look for your brand. It erodes trust with both the creator and your audience.

Following the right etiquette is simple and shows respect for the original creator's hard work.

Step 1: Ask for Permission

The best way to ask is with a simple, direct message (DM) or a comment on the post. Don't overcomplicate it. You want to be friendly and clear about what you're asking.

You could say something like:

“Hey [Username]! We absolutely love this photo/video. It’s fantastic! Would you mind if we shared it on our feed/in our Stories? We’ll be sure to give you full credit in the caption and tag.”

Wait for their 'yes' before moving forward. Most people are thrilled to be featured and will happily agree, but you have to give them the opportunity to say no.

Step 2: Give Prominent Credit

Once you have permission, your job is to make sure everyone knows who created the amazing content you're sharing. Hiding the credit at the bottom of a caption full of hashtags isn't enough.

Effective crediting includes:

• Tagging in the Caption: Mention their handle (e.g., `via @originalcreator`) in the first few lines of your caption. This makes it instantly visible to anyone reading.
• Tagging in the Photo/Video: Use Instagram's tagging feature to tag their account directly in the media. This links back to their profile and helps them get discovered.

Giving clear credit not only respects the creator but also shows your audience that you value community and collaboration, reinforcing your brand's positive image.

How to Repost an Instagram Feed Post to Your Feed

Unlike Facebook or Twitter (now X), Instagram has no built-in "share" or "retweet" button for posts on the main feed. To repost someone else's photo or standard video post, you’ll need to use one of two straightforward methods.

Method 1: The Screenshot Method

This is the quick-and-easy, low-tech way to repost a photo. It works in a pinch but can sometimes lead to a slight loss in image quality.

1. Get Permission: This is always the first step.
2. Screenshot the Post: Open the post on Instagram and take a screenshot on your phone.
3. Crop the Image: Open your phone's photo editor and crop the screenshot so only the photo itself is visible. Remove any surrounding interface elements, like the caption or Instagram's navigation bars.
4. Create a New Post: Open Instagram, tap the '+' icon to create a new post, and select the cropped image from your camera roll.
5. Write Your Caption & Give Credit: This is where you add your own commentary. Start your caption by crediting the original poster (e.g., "An incredible shot from @username!"). Tag their account in both the photo and the caption before publishing.

Method 2: Using a Repost App

For better quality and a more streamlined process, a third-party reposting app is your best bet. Dozens of these apps are available on both iOS and Android, and most work in a similar way.

1. Get Permission: You still need to do this first!
2. Download a Repost App: Search your app store for "repost for Instagram" and choose a well-reviewed option.
3. Copy the Post Link: Go to the Instagram post you want to share, tap the three dots in the top-right corner, and select "Link."
4. Open the Repost App: Most apps will automatically detect the link you've copied. If not, paste it into the app.
5. Customize the Watermark: The app will generate a version of the post with a small credit watermark (usually a small box with the creator's username). You can often choose its color and position.
6. Share to Instagram: Tap the share button within the app. It will open Instagram for you with the photo and often the original caption copied to your clipboard. Edit the caption to add your own voice and, once again, double-check that you've tagged and mentioned the original creator.

How to Share Someone's Post to Your Instagram Story

Sharing content to your Story is something Instagram fully supports with built-in features, making it the easiest and most common way to repost.

Sharing a Feed Post to Your Story

This is perfect for temporarily highlighting a great post from someone else without adding it permanently to your grid.

1. Find the Post: Go to the feed post or Reel you want to share.
2. Tap the Share Icon: Tap the paper airplane icon located just below the post.
3. Select "Add to your story": This will open the Instagram Story editor with the post appearing as a sticker.
4. Customize Your Story: Here’s your chance to add your personality. You can tap the sticker to switch its style, resize or angle it, change the background color, and add your own text, GIFs, or other stickers.
5. Add a Visible Tag: The post sticker already links back to the original, but it’s still best practice to use the text tool to add a clear, visible mention of the creator (e.g., "Amazing work @username!"). This tag is a direct shout-out that shows respect.

Sharing a Story Where You've Been Tagged

If someone tags your account in their own Story, Instagram makes it incredibly simple to reshare it to yours.

1. Check Your DMs: When you’re tagged in a Story, you'll receive a notification in your direct messages.
2. Find the "Add to your story" Button: Open the message, and you’ll see the Story mention along with a button that says, "Add to your story."
3. Tap and Customize: Tapping this button will take you directly to your Story editor, with their Story ready to go. You can resize it and add your own context before sharing. This feature is only available for 24 hours, while the original Story is still active.

How to Repost an Instagram Reel

Reels are all about reach and engagement. Sharing them can expose you to new audiences. Here are a few ways to do it ethically.

Method 1: Sharing the Reel to Your Story

This follows the exact same steps as sharing a feed post to your Story. Simply tap the paper airplane icon on the Reel, select "Add to your story," and customize it with mentions, text, or stickers before posting. It's the quickest and most Instagram-approved method.

Method 2: Using the Instagram Remix Feature

A Remix isn’t a direct repost, but it’s a creative way to engage with someone else's content by putting your own spin on it. Your video will appear side-by-side (or following) the original video.

1. Find the Reel: Go to the Reel you want to use.
2. Tap the Three Dots: Tap the menu icon (...) and select "Remix."
3. Record Your Addition: You can then record your own video clip to accompany the original. You might be reacting to it, adding a different perspective, or completing a challenge. The original creator is automatically credited in a Remix credit line on the post.

Method 3: Downloading and Re-Uploading (Use with Extreme Caution)

This method involves saving the video to your device and posting it as a brand-new Reel from your account. This requires explicit permission from the creator to download their work. It's the most controversial method and should be used sparingly, as Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes original content.

1. Secure Explicit Permission: For this, a simple "Can I repost?" is not enough. You should ask, "I love this Reel. Would you be okay with me downloading it and re-uploading it as a Reel from my account, with full credit to you?"
2. Use a Third-Party Tool to Download: You'll need an outside website or app to save the Instagram Reel video file to your phone.
3. Upload as a New Reel: Open Instagram and upload the video file from your camera roll as you would with any original Reel.
4. Provide Prominent Credit: This is absolutely essential. The very first line of your caption should credit the creator (e.g., “Video by the incredible @username!”). Tag them in the caption, and if the option is available, add a collaborator if that feels appropriate for the post/partnership.

Be aware that doing this often can get your account flagged for unoriginal content, potentially hurting your reach down the line. It's often better to share to your Story or Remix.

Final Thoughts

Reposting content is a fantastic strategy for building a lively, community-focused Instagram presence. Following these steps and making ethical crediting your top priority will help you share amazing content responsibly, foster loyalty with your audience, and build stronger relationships with fellow creators.

Once you get permission to share great content from your community, a lot of the work is in the planning. We built our visual calendar in Postbase to make this simple. You can see all your scheduled content, including the UGC you've curated, in one place, drag and drop posts to find the perfect spot in your schedule, and plan your entire feed without juggling spreadsheets. It helps you keep your content strategy full of amazing community posts, worry-free.