How to See Who Shared Your Video on Instagram

Ever posted an Instagram video or Reel and wondered where it went after you hit publish? You can see the likes and comments roll in, but the real sign of great content is the share. A share means someone found your video so valuable, funny, or relatable that they wanted to pass it on. This article breaks down exactly how to find out who's sharing your content and what you can do with that information.

The Straight Answer: Can You See Everyone Who Shared Your Video?

Let's get this out of the way first: Instagram does not provide a complete list of every single user who has shared your video. Due to privacy policies, you can’t see if someone privately shares your post in a Direct Message (DM) to their friend. Imagine the privacy implications if you could eavesdrop on everyone's private conversations about your content - it would be a nightmare.

However, there are several methods you can use to see public shares and gather crucial data on your content's performance. You can absolutely find out when people share your videos to their public Stories and use analytics to understand the overall impact of your shares. You just need to know where to look.

Method 1: Track Public Reshares to Instagram Stories

The most direct way to see who shared your video is when they post it to their Instagram Story. When a user with a public profile shares your feed video or Reel to their Story, you get a valuable opportunity to see it and even re-share it yourself.

This method works best for feed posts and Reels that people add to their Stories.

How to Find Story Reshares

1. Navigate to Your Video: Go to your profile and find the specific feed video or Reel you want to check.
2. Look for the "View Story Reshares" Option (if available): For posts, tap the three dots in the top-right corner of your video. If your post has been shared to public Stories recently, you'll see an option that says "View Story Reshares." Tap this to see a list of the public Stories that are currently featuring your post.
3. Check Your Notifications and DMs: If someone shares your video to their Story and tags you with the @mention sticker, you’ll receive a notification. Instagram also sends a DM with a preview of their Story and a button that says "Add This to Your Story." This is the easiest and most common way you'll get notified.

Important Reminders:

• It's a 24-Hour Window: Since Instagram Stories vanish after 24 hours, your window to see these reshares is limited. If you want to track them, check in within a day of posting.
• Public Accounts Only: You will only be able to see reshares from public accounts. If someone with a private profile shares your video to their Story, it will only be visible to their approved followers, and you won't be notified or able to view it.
• Tagging is a Game-Changer: The most reliable way to catch a Story share is when the user tags your account. Not everyone does this, so you might miss some untagged shares.

Method 2: Use Instagram Insights to Analyze Share Counts

While you can't get a list of names, you can get a hard number of how many times your video was shared. This data is incredibly valuable for understanding what content connects with your audience. To do this, you'll need an Instagram Professional Account (either a Creator or Business profile). If you're still on a Personal Account, switching is free and only takes a minute.

How to Switch to a Professional Account:

• Go to your profile and tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
• Tap Settings and Privacy >, Account Type and Tools.
• Select Switch to Professional Account and follow the on-screen prompts.

Once you have a professional account, you can access insights for your Reels and videos.

Finding Share Analytics on Your Reels

Instagram Reels provides a detailed breakdown of performance metrics, including the total share count.

1. Go to the Reel: Find the Reel you want to analyze on your profile grid.
2. Tap "View Insights": Below the Reel, on the left side, you'll see a small button labeled "View Insights." Tap it.
3. Find the Share Icon: On the Insights screen, you'll see metrics for Plays, Accounts Reached, Likes, Comments, Saves, and Shares. The Shares metric is typically represented by a paper airplane icon. This number tells you the total times your Reel was shared to Stories or sent via a Direct Message.

Although it doesn't reveal who shared it, this number is a powerful indicator. If one video gets 50 shares and another only gets 5, you know the first one resonated much more deeply with your audience. That’s a direct signal to create more content like it.

Method 3: Monitor Your Notifications, Tags, and Mentions

This isn't a single feature, but rather a consistent practice of monitoring engagement. Your activity feed is your central hub for tracking public interactions, including many types of shares that result in a mention.

Keep a Close Eye on Your Mentions

Anytime someone shares your content and includes your handle (e.g., @yourbrand), it will appear in your notifications. This is common when users:

• Share your Reel to their Story and add a mention sticker.
• Create their own videos responding to or "stitching" your Reel and tag you in the caption.
• Include your video in a roundup or a "credit to the creator" post.

Make it a habit to check your activity feed daily. When you see a mention, tap on it to view the content. Not only does this let you see who shared your post, but it also gives you an opportunity to engage directly with them. A quick thank you comment or a DM can turn a casual fan into a loyal follower.

So, You Found a Share...Now What? Building Community

Seeing that someone shared your video is great, but acting on it is what builds a strong brand on social media. Every share is a form of user-generated content (UGC) and an endorsement of your work.

Here’s how to leverage those shares:

• Reshare to Your Own Story: If someone shares your video to their public Story and tags you, Instagram makes it incredibly easy to repost it to your own. This shows appreciation and gives your sharers a moment in the spotlight. It's social proof at its best.
• Engage Directly: Leave a comment or send a DM saying thanks. A simple, "Thanks so much for sharing our video!" goes a long way. This personal interaction strengthens your relationship with your audience.
• Identify Your Biggest Fans: Over time, you might notice the same people sharing your content repeatedly. These are your super-fans or brand advocates. Consider reaching out to them with a special thank you, a small discount, or shout-outs. They are your most valuable word-of-mouth marketers.

Actionable Strategies to Get More Video Shares

Instead of just passively tracking shares, why not actively encourage them? Create content people feel compelled to pass along.

1. Create “Saveable” or “Shareable” Content

People share things that are useful, entertaining, or inspiring. Think about content formats that naturally lend themselves to sharing:

• Tutorials and How-Tos: Quick tips, step-by-step guides, or "hacks" that solve a problem.
• Relatable Humor: Memes, funny skits, or commentary that hits on a shared experience within your niche.
• Inspiration and Motivation: Uplifting stories, beautiful visuals, or powerful quotes that make people feel good.
• Informative Lists: "5 Tools for ____," "3 Mistakes to Avoid in ____," or other listicle-style videos are easy to digest and share as a resource.

2. Ask for the Share

Sometimes, all you have to do is ask. A clear Call to Action (CTA) can dramatically increase your share rate. Try adding one of these to your caption or directly in your video:

• "Share this with someone who needs to hear it!"
• "Tag a friend who would love this."
• "If you found this useful, share it to your Story!"

3. Tell a Story

Human beings are wired for stories. Videos that have a clear beginning, middle, and end - or present a compelling narrative - are more likely to hold a viewer's attention and earn a share. It could be a simple story of a customer transformation, a behind-the-scenes look at a challenge you overcame, or a mini-documentary about a topic you're passionate about.

4. Keep it Short and Punchy

On platforms like Instagram, attention spans are short. The quicker you can deliver value or tell your story, the better. A video that gets to the point within the first 3-5 seconds respects the viewer's time and makes them more likely to watch and share it.

Final Thoughts

While Instagram doesn't let you see every single person who shares your videos, you have powerful tools to track public reshares and analyze your share counts. By combining the platform’s built-in features, keeping a close eye on your notifications, and encouraging more shares through your content strategy, you can turn a simple metric into a powerful engine for community building and brand growth.

While you can’t always get a list of names, closely tracking share counts and other engagement metrics across all your platforms is vital for understanding what your audience truly loves. We know how fragmented that data can be, which is why we’ve focused on simplifying it. With Postbase, all your analytics live in one clean dashboard, making it easy to spot winning content trends so you can double down on what’s working and grow your brand more effectively.