How to Upload an Instagram Reel to Pinterest

Repurposing your Instagram Reels to Pinterest is one of the smartest ways to get more eyes on your content without creating anything new. It’s a powerful strategy that extends the reach and lifespan of every video you create. This guide breaks down exactly how to upload your Reels to Pinterest, covering everything from the technical steps to the strategies for making your video a success on a completely different platform.

Why Your Instagram Reels Belong on Pinterest

At first glance, Instagram and Pinterest might seem similar - they're both highly visual platforms that love video content. But the way users interact with them couldn't be more different. Understanding this is key to seeing why you shouldn't let your Reels live only on Instagram.

Instagram is a social network. It's about what's happening now. Your Reel might go viral for 48 hours, driven by a trending audio and the algorithm, but its relevancy fades quickly. It’s a sprint.

Pinterest is a visual discovery engine. It's about what people are planning for the future. Users aren't there to small-talk, they're actively searching for ideas, solutions, and inspiration for a future project, purchase, or lifestyle change. Your video Pin isn't just content, it's a potential answer to someone's search query. It’s a marathon.

Here’s why that distinction makes repurposing so powerful:

• Increased Reach and a New Audience: You tap into a completely new ecosystem. The person searching for "easy weeknight dinner recipes" on Pinterest may never have stumbled upon your foodie Instagram account. By putting your content where they search, you introduce your brand to a high-intent audience actively looking for what you offer.
• Unbeatable Content Longevity: An Instagram Reel's life is often measured in days. A Pinterest Pin's life can be measured in months, or even years. A well-optimized video Pin can continue to surface in search results and drive traffic long after its Instagram counterpart is forgotten. It becomes an evergreen asset, not a disposable trend.
• Direct Website Traffic: This is the big one. An Instagram Reel is designed to keep users on Instagram. A Pinterest Pin is built to send users off Pinterest to get more information. Every single Pin can have a direct URL attached, making it an incredible driver for your blog, ecommerce store, portfolio, or landing page.
• Maximize Your Creative Effort: You already put in the work to script, shoot, and edit a fantastic video. Letting it live on just one platform is leaving value on the table. Repurposing is the ultimate "work smarter, not harder" strategy for content creators.

Before You Post: Prepping Your Reel for Pinterest Success

Simply downloading your Reel and uploading it directly to Pinterest is a common mistake. To give your video the best chance of success, you need to make a few quick adjustments first. This process ensures your content feels native to the platform, not like an obvious hand-me-down from another app.

Step 1: Download Your Reel (Without the Watermark)

Platforms like Pinterest tend to favor content that looks and feels original. While they won't explicitly ban you for a watermark, it's widely believed their algorithms can deprioritize content that has another platform's logo on it. More importantly, it just looks cleaner and more professional without it. Here are two ways to get a watermark-free version of your video:

The Easiest Method: Save Before Publishing

The simplest way to get a clean video file is to save it before you post it to Instagram. After you've finished editing your clips, trimming, and adding text overlays in the Instagram Reels editor, but before you choose any licensed music from Instagram's library, tap the 'Download' icon at the top of the screen. This will save the video directly to your phone's camera roll, clean and ready to go. You can then go back and add your trending Instagram audio to the Reel before publishing it on Instagram.

Using a Third-Party Tool (If You've Already Published)

If your Reel is already live, don't worry. You can use a variety of third-party apps and websites to download it without the watermark. Just copy the Reel's link from Instagram, and paste it into one of these tools. Do a quick search for an "Instagram Reel downloader" and you'll find plenty of options. Just be cautious with these sites - stick to well-known ones to avoid pesky pop-ups or security issues.

Step 2: Adjust for Pinterest's Culture

What works on Instagram Reels doesn't always translate perfectly to Pinterest. Keep these two things in mind:

Assume the Sound is Off

Unlike Instagram, where trending audio is a huge driver of virality, most Pinterest users browse with their sound off. Your video should be able to communicate its message visually. If your Reel relies heavily on a voiceover or specific music cues, you'll need to adapt it. The best way to do this is with clear, concise text overlays that walk the viewer through the key points, list ingredients, or explain the steps of a process. Turn your video into a silent film that tells a complete story.

Focus on Value, Not Trends

Lip-syncing videos and dancing challenges that thrive on Instagram often fall flat on Pinterest. The content that performs best on Pinterest provides tangible value. Ask yourself: does my video teach, inspire, or solve a problem?

• A quick tutorial showing how to style a shelf. (Inspires)
• A step-by-step recipe for whipped coffee. (Teaches)
• A fitness demonstration of a 5-minute ab workout. (Solves a problem)

If your Reel fits into one of these categories, it's a perfect candidate for Pinterest.

How to Upload an Instagram Reel to Pinterest: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

You've got your watermark-free video ready. Now it's time to upload it. You can do this from either a desktop computer or the mobile app, but the desktop version offers a bit more control and is generally easier for crafting thoughtful titles and descriptions.

Uploading from Your Computer (Recommended Method)

This is the best way to do it because you can really focus on the search engine optimization (SEO) components that make a Pin successful.

1. Log in and Create: Sign in to your Pinterest business account. In the top-left corner, click Create, then select Create Pin from the dropdown menu.
2. Upload Your Video: You'll see an upload box on the left. You can either drag and drop your saved Reel video file directly into it or click to browse the files on your computer.
3. Choose Your Cover Image: Once the video loads, you can scroll through it and select a still frame to be your cover image. Pick a frame that's bright, clear, and intriguing. This is your video's "thumbnail," so make it count.
4. Write an SEO-Driven Title: This is critical. Don't recycle a trendy Instagram caption. Think like a search engine. What would someone type to find your video? A bad title is "My favorite outfit!" A good title is "Easy Summer Outfit Idea with a White Linen Dress." Be descriptive and use keywords people are actively searching for.
5. Craft a Detailed Description: The description is where you give Pinterest more context about your Pin. In a few sentences, explain what your video offers. Weave in 2-3 relevant keywords and hashtags naturally. For our outfit idea, a good description might be: "Looking for a simple and chic summer outfit idea? Here is how to style a classic white linen dress for a casual brunch or a day out. This comfortable and stylish look is perfect for warm weather. #summerstyle #outfitinspiration #linendress"
6. Add Your Destination Link: This is where the magic happens. Paste the URL you want to drive traffic to. This could be a blog post with more details, a product page where someone can buy the dress, or a service page. Make sure the linked page is relevant to the video's content.
7. Choose the Right Board: Don't just save your Pin to a generic "My Videos" board. Save it to your most relevant, keyword-rich board. If you're a fashion blogger, it should go on a board named "Summer Style" or "Outfit Ideas," not a general catch-all board. Strategic board selection helps Pinterest understand your content's context.
8. Publish or Schedule: You can either hit the red Publish button to post it immediately or choose to "Publish at a later date" to schedule it for an optimal time.

Uploading from the Pinterest Mobile App

If you're on the go, a mobile upload is quick and easy.

1. Open the Pinterest app and tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the screen.
2. Select Pin from the options that appear.
3. Your phone's gallery will open. Select the Reel video file you saved earlier.
4. Just like on the desktop, you'll be prompted to write a Title, Description, and add a Link. Fill these in with your SEO keywords.
5. Tap Next and choose the most relevant board to save your video Pin to.
6. Tap Save, and your video is now live on Pinterest.

Final Thoughts

Repurposing your Instagram Reels onto Pinterest is a powerful strategy to extend the life of your content, drive sustainable traffic, and reach a new audience that is ready to engage and plan. By following these steps and focusing on what makes Pinterest unique, you can turn a single video into a long-term asset that works for your brand around the clock.

We know how much work goes into managing content across different platforms - optimizing for one audience, then turning around and doing it all over again for another. Juggling these workflows is exactly the kind of friction we built Postbase to eliminate. Our platform is designed from the ground up for today's video-first social landscape, allowing you to plan, schedule, and analyze your content - including your short-form videos for everywhere from Instagram to TikTok - all from one clean, simple dashboard. Our goal is to help you spend less time on the repetitive tasks and more time doing what you love: creating.