How to Share a Long Video on Instagram

You’ve finished editing the perfect video - it’s engaging, informative, and exactly what your audience wants to see. The only problem? It’s longer than 60 seconds, and now you’re stuck wondering how to get it onto Instagram without compromising your work. This guide walks you through every practical method for sharing long videos on Instagram, so you can stop worrying about time limits and start connecting with your audience.

Understanding Instagram's Video Length Limits

First, it helps to know the current rules of the road. Instagram's video formats and their time limits have changed a lot over the years, and what was true last year might not be true today. Here’s a quick breakdown of where things stand now:

• Instagram Reels: Videos uploaded from your phone can be up to 90 seconds. However, and this is the important part, videos shared to your feed that are under 15 minutes long will automatically be published as Reels. This is your main gateway for longer content.
• Instagram Stories: Each individual Story slide is 15 seconds long. If you upload a longer video (up to 60 seconds), Instagram will automatically chop it into four 15-second segments for you. You can't upload a video that's several minutes long to a single story segment.
• Instagram Feed Videos (Legacy): Historically, these were capped at 60 seconds. But with Instagram’s push to consolidate video, most video uploads are now treated as Reels. Think of "Reels" as the new default for almost all video on the platform.
• Instagram Live: You can broadcast live for up to four hours. Afterward, you can share the replay to your profile, where it will be available for viewers to watch on demand.

With these limits in mind, you have a few powerful strategies at your disposal for posting longer content. Let's get into the specifics.

Method 1: Post Your Long Video Directly as a Reel

This is the most straightforward way to share a video that’s longer than 90 seconds but shorter than 15 minutes. Ever since Instagram made Reels the default format for video posts, the door opened for medium-form content to live directly in the feed. This method requires no fancy workarounds - just a simple upload.

This approach works wonderfully for longer tutorials, mini-documentaries, product demos, interviews, or any content that needs a bit more room to breathe than a snappy 30-second clip.

How to Do It Step-by-Step:

1. Start a New Post: Open Instagram and tap the plus icon (+) at the bottom of the screen. Select "Reel" from the options.
2. Select Your Video: Access your phone’s camera roll and choose the video you want to upload. Again, as long as it’s under 15 minutes, you’re good to go.
3. Make Your Edits: Once uploaded, you can trim the clip, add filters, text overlays, or stickers. Note that if you use an audio clip from Instagram's music library, it might restrict the video's length to match the audio. For long videos, it's often best to use your original audio.
4. Write a Great Caption: Craft a compelling caption that explains what the video is about and why someone should invest their time watching it. Use relevant hashtags to help new viewers find your content.
5. Choose Your Cover: Select a captivating frame from your video as the cover photo, or upload a custom thumbnail. This is what people will see on your profile grid, so make it look good.
6. Share Away: Tap "Share," and your video will be published as a Reel. It will appear in the Reels tab on your profile, the main Reels feed, and, if you choose, on your main profile grid as well.

Tips for Making a Longer Reel Engaging

Just because you can post a 10-minute video doesn't mean people will stick around. Holding a viewer's attention on mobile is tough. Here’s how to keep them engaged:

• Hook Them Immediately: The first three to five seconds are everything. Start with a bold statement, a fascinating question, or a visually striking shot. Don’t waste time with a slow intro.
• Use On-Screen Text: Add text callouts to highlight key points. Many users watch without sound, so descriptive captions and titles help tell the story and keep them following along.
• Break It Into Sections: For longer tutorials or list-style videos, use text overlays to create "chapters" (e.g., "Step 1: Prep," "Step 2: Assemble"). This gives viewers a sense of progress and makes the content feel more digestible.

Method 2: Split Your Video into a Carousel Series

If your video is well over the 15-minute Reel limit or you want to create a more interactive, chapter-like experience, the video carousel is your best friend. A carousel post allows you to upload up to 10 slides, which can be a mix of photos and videos. This lets you break down a long video into smaller, bite-sized clips that users can swipe through at their own pace.

This is an excellent option for in-depth educational content, step-by-step guides, or storytelling that benefits from being broken into thematic parts.

How to Create a Video Carousel:

1. Edit Your Video into Segments: Using a video editing app on your phone (like CapCut or InShot) or a desktop editor (like Premiere Pro), slice your main video into smaller clips. For a classic carousel, each clip should be 60 seconds or less. Aim for logical breaking points that feel natural.
2. End Each Clip on a High Note: To encourage people to swipe to the next slide, end each segment with a small cliffhanger or a statement that teases what's coming next. For instance, "Now that we’ve built the frame, it’s time for the most important part..."
3. Upload as a Multi-Slide Post: In Instagram, tap the plus (+) icon and select "Post." On the camera roll screen, tap the "Select Multiple" icon (it looks like a stack of squares) before choosing your videos.
4. Order Your Clips: Select each video clip in the correct chronological order. You can upload up to 10.
5. Tie It All Together with a Caption: Write a caption that explains the format. Say something like, "Our full guide to X, broken down into 5 easy steps! Swipe to watch them all. 👉" This small instruction makes a big difference.

Method 3: Chop It Up for Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories offer another powerful way to present longer-form content, especially if you want to create a daily series or a behind-the-scenes look that feels more raw and personal. Since Stories disappear after 24 hours (unless you save them to a Highlight), this format is perfect for timely content like Q&As, event coverage, or a multi-part process walkthrough.

Remember, when you upload a video that’s between 15 and 60 seconds, Instagram turns it into four 15-second segments. If your video is longer, you'll need to cut it into 60-second chunks yourself before uploading.

Best Practices for Story Series:

• Add Interactive Elements: Use polls, quiz stickers, or question boxes to break up the video segments and re-engage your audience. This turns passive viewing into an active experience.
• Use Numbering: Label your stories (e.g., "1/5," "2/5") so people know how long the series is and where they are in the sequence.
• Save It to a Highlight: If the content is evergreen, bundle the Story series into a Highlight on your profile. Name it something clear and descriptive like "Gourd Carving 101" or "SF Trip." This turns your temporary content into a permanent resource.

Method 4: The "Link in Bio" Teaser Strategy

What if your video is a 25-minute YouTube deep dive or an hour-long webinar? It’s simply not going to fit on Instagram, and trying to chop it up would ruin the experience. In this case, don’t try to get the whole video on Instagram. Instead, use Instagram to get people to your video.

This strategy involves creating a short, attention-grabbing trailer or teaser and using it to drive traffic to your YouTube channel, blog, or website where the full-length video is hosted. This is what media companies, educators, and serious content creators do every day.

How to Execute this Strategy:

1. Create a Compelling Teaser: Pull out the most exciting, intriguing, or valuable 30-90 seconds from your long video. This clip's only job is to generate curiosity. It should be fast-paced and highlight the best parts.
2. Add a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA): At the end of your teaser Reel, add a clear text overlay and voiceover that says "Watch the full video at the link in my bio!" Don’t be subtle about it.
3. Optimize Your Caption and Bio: Your reel's caption should reiterate the CTA, encouraging people to visit your profile. Then, update the link in your bio to point directly to the full video. Tools like Linktree or Beacons can help if you want to promote multiple links, but for a big new video release, a direct link is often best.
4. Promote It: Share the teaser Reel to your Stories as well, using the "Link" sticker to give people another way to access the full video directly.

Final Thoughts

Sharing a long video on Instagram is no longer the headache it once was. Between Reels now accommodating up to 15-minute videos, and creative strategies like carousels, Stories, and teasers, you have a full toolkit to get your detailed content seen by your audience without sacrificing quality.

Creating and scheduling all these different video formats, especially when you're managing multiple social platforms, can get complicated pretty quickly. At Postbase, we designed a social media management platform that was built from the ground up for a video-first world. Planning your Reels, Stories, and TikToks in one visual calendar, scheduling them reliably, and seeing what's actually working all in one place helps you simplify your process. It allows you to focus less on the busywork of posting and more on making incredible content - no matter how long it is.