How to Reshare a Reel on Instagram

Want to stretch the life of a great Instagram Reel - whether it’s yours or someone else’s? Resharing is a powerful way to fill your content calendar, connect with other creators, and provide value to your audience without always having to create from scratch. This guide will walk you through exactly how to reshare Reels to your Instagram Story and your Feed, along with the strategies to do it right.

Why Resharing Reels is a Smart Move

Reposting content on Instagram is more than just hitting a button, it’s a strategic choice that can build community and strengthen your brand. When done thoughtfully, it adds another layer to your content strategy, helping you post consistently while supporting others in your niche.

Here’s why it works so well:

• Highlights User-Generated Content (UGC): Sharing a Reel from a customer who is loving your product is one of the most powerful forms of social proof. It’s an authentic testimonial that builds trust with potential buyers and makes the original creator feel seen and appreciated.
• Positions Your Brand as a Resource: Did a respected creator in your industry drop an incredible tutorial or break some news? By sharing it (with credit!), you position your own account as a go-to source for valuable, up-to-date information, even if you’re not the one creating it.
• Builds Community and Connections: Giving another creator a shoutout by sharing their Reel is a fantastic networking tool. It shows you’re paying attention, you appreciate their work, and you’re a team player in your niche. It’s an organic way to start conversations and build relationships that can lead to future collaborations.
• Intelligently Fills Your Content Calendar: Let’s be real: creating original video content every single day is demanding. Curating and resharing high-quality Reels from other accounts is a perfect way to fill gaps in your schedule. It gives you a break from filming and editing while still serving your audience with relevant, engaging content.

How to Reshare a Reel to Your Instagram Story

This is the simplest and most common way to reshare a Reel. Instagram has a built-in feature for this, and it’s a low-pressure way to share content because it disappears after 24 hours. Stories are perfect for more casual, in-the-moment content.

Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Find the Reel you want to share. You can do this from your Feed, the Reels tab, or an individual's profile.
2. Tap the paper airplane icon. This is the 'Share' button, typically located on the right side of the screen along with the Like and Comment icons.
3. Select “Add to story.” A menu will pop up from the bottom, and this option will usually be the first one with a blue camera icon next to it.
4. Customize your Story. This is where you can add your own touch. Once the Reel appears in the Story editor, you can:
   • Resize and reposition: Use two fingers to pinch and zoom the Reel to make it smaller or larger. Fun trick: if you tap the Reel, it will switch between two framing options - a minimal look with clean borders or a full-screen preview.
   • Add commentary: Use the text tool to add your own thoughts. A simple "This is a great point!" or "Couldn’t agree more with this advice from @creator" adds context for your audience.
   • Use stickers to drive engagement: Add a poll, a quiz, or a question sticker to turn a passive view into an active interaction. A simple "Do you agree with this?" poll can hugely boost your Story engagement.
   • Mention the original creator: The Reel will automatically feature a sticker with the creator’s username, but it’s always a good idea to add your own Mention sticker as well, especially if you’re covering part of the original sticker with your own additions.
5. Share it. Once you’re happy with how it looks, tap "Your Story" in the bottom left to post it.

Sharing to your Story is quick, easy, and fully supported by Instagram. The key is to avoid just reposting without any context. Always add something - a comment, a question, or a GIF - to show your followers why you thought it was worth sharing.

The Big Question: Can You Reshare a Reel to Your Feed?

This is where things get a bit more complicated. Unlike platforms with a simple "retweet" or "reshare" button, Instagram does not have a native, one-click feature to repost someone else's Reel directly to your own Feed. The platform has been testing this feature with an “Also share to Feed” button in some regions, but it’s not widely available.

Why is that? Primarily because Instagram's algorithm prioritizes original content on the main grid. They want to encourage creativity, not just endless loops of the same video. However, there are still valid reasons to post someone's Reel to your Feed, especially with UGC or collaborative content.

While there's no official button, there is a common workaround. But it comes with a big, bold-faced warning: you must get permission from the original creator first and always give prominent credit. Failure to do so isn't just bad social media etiquette, it can be copyright infringement.

How to Reshare a Reel to Your Feed (The Right Way)

This process involves two main steps: getting permission and saving the video, then re-uploading it with proper credit.

Step 1: Get Permission and Save the Video

Before you do anything else, send a direct message to the original creator. Keep it simple and direct:

“Hey [Name]! Absolutely love your Reel about [Topic]. It’s so helpful/funny/insightful. Would you mind if I shared it on my Feed? I’ll be sure to give you full credit in the caption and tag you in the video.”

Most creators will be happy to get the extra exposure and will say yes. Once you have their permission, you need to get the video file itself. You can do this in a few ways:

• Ask the creator to send it. This is the best option because you’ll get the highest-quality file directly from the source.
• Use a third-party app. There are many apps available on the App Store and Google Play that are designed to download Instagram videos. Search for "Instagram video downloader," read the reviews carefully to find a reputable one, and follow their instructions. Be cautious about the permissions these apps ask for.
• Use screen recording. This should be your last resort, as it can result in lower video quality and might capture other elements on your screen. If you go this route, make sure to crop the video neatly so only the Reel content is visible.

Step 2: Post It as a New Reel with Full Credit

Now that you have the video file and permission to post, you just need to upload it as if you were creating a new Reel.

1. Open Instagram and tap the center plus sign (+) icon at the bottom of the screen.
2. Select "Reel" from the menu.
3. In the bottom-left corner, tap the blue square with your recent photos to open your camera roll and select the video you just saved.
4. Trim the clip if needed, then tap "Next."
5. Now you’re on the final screen before publishing. This is the most important part for giving credit:
   • Write a compelling caption: Don't just copy the original. Write something unique that explains why you’re sharing the Reel and what it means to your audience.
   • Give credit at the top: Don't bury the credit at the bottom of your caption or in a sea of hashtags. Start your caption with a clear shoutout. For example: "Credit: An amazing tip from @creatorname!" or "Video by the talented @creatorname! We had to share this because..."
   • Tag them in the post: Tap on "Tag people" and add the creator's username. This ensures they get a notification and that their profile is directly linked from your post, making it easy for your followers to find them.
6. Publish your Reel.

Best Practices: How to Reshare Reels the Right Way

Simply knowing the technical steps isn't enough. A good resharing strategy is about being intentional and respectful. Here are a few rules to follow:

1. Prioritize Permission and Credit

This point can't be overstated. Always ask before posting on your Feed. And when you give credit, make it unmissable. Clear attribution demonstrates integrity and helps you build a positive reputation in your online community.

2. Add Your Own Spin

The best reshared posts add to the conversation. Never just post a video with no context. Whether it's on Stories or your Feed, add your own perspective. Why did this Reel resonate with you? What takeaway do you want your audience to get from it? What personal story does it remind you of? Adding your voice turns a simple repost into valuable, curated content.

3. Curate for Your Audience

Just because you find a Reel funny or cool doesn't mean it's right for your brand's account. Before you reshare, ask yourself:

• Is this helpful or entertaining specifically for my followers?
• Does this align with my brand's values, tone, and content pillars?
• Does sharing this position my brand in the right way?

Great curation feels intentional, not random. Every piece of content, whether original or shared, should serve a purpose for your audience.

4. Don't Go Overboard

Shared content should be a supplement to your content strategy, not the entire strategy. Your followers came to hear from you. If your Feed becomes nothing but other people's content, your own brand voice gets lost. A good guideline for a brand is an 80/20 mix - 80% original content and 20% curated, shared content.

Final Thoughts

Resharing Reels on Instagram is an excellent strategy when handled correctly. Sharing to your Story is a quick and simple way to engage your audience daily, while resharing to your Feed offers a more permanent "stamp of approval" - as long as you’ve secured permission and given clear credit. In either case, always add value, prioritize your audience, and respect the original creator.

Keeping that perfect balance of original posts and reshared content can feel like a juggling act. We built Postbase with a visual content calendar to help you see those gaps and plan your entire strategy, Reels included, without things getting messy. It lets you organize your original video ideas right next to curated content so you know exactly what’s going live and when, all in one clear view.