Instagram used to be simple. You took a photo of your lunch, applied a grainy filter, and that was it. Now? It’s a massive ecosystem of Reels, Stories, carousels, and collaboration posts. But here is the weird thing: despite all the updates, there is still no giant "Repost" button sitting right under a post like Twitter has with Retweets. It’s annoying. Honestly, it’s one of the most common frustrations for anyone trying to grow a brand or just share something cool they found. If you want to know how to repost stuff on instagram, you have to realize there isn't just one way to do it. You’ve got options, but some of them are definitely better than others.
People get this wrong all the time. They screenshot a post, crop it poorly, and throw it up without giving credit. Don't be that person. Not only does it look amateur, but it also tanks your engagement because Instagram’s algorithm is getting surprisingly good at detecting unoriginal content. If the system thinks you're just "stealing" pixels, it won't show your post to anyone.
The Story Method: The Quickest Way to Share
Most people just want to share a post to their Story. This is the path of least resistance. You tap that little paper airplane icon—the share button—and hit "Add to story." It’s instant. It’s clean. It automatically links back to the original creator, which is the "right" way to do things from an etiquette standpoint.
But here is a tip most people ignore: don't just leave the post sitting there in the middle of a blank background. That’s lazy. If you’re reposting to a story, tap the background to change the color or add some text that explains why you’re sharing it. Context matters. If you're a business, you might be sharing a customer's testimonial. If you're a creator, maybe it's an infographic that changed your mind about something.
There is a slight catch with Reels. When you share a Reel to your Story, it only plays a snippet. If your viewers want the whole thing, they have to tap through. This is actually a good thing for the original creator because it drives traffic directly to their profile, but it means your Story needs a "hook" to make people actually want to click.
Reposting to Your Main Feed (The Hard Way)
Sharing to Stories is easy, but what if you want that content to live on your permanent grid? This is where how to repost stuff on instagram gets a little more technical. Since there’s no native button for this, you have to use a workaround.
The Screenshot/Screen Record Method. This is the old-school way. You screenshot a photo or screen record a video, crop out the UI elements like the battery bar or the "like" count, and then upload it as a new post. It’s manual. It’s tedious. You also run the risk of losing image quality every time you do it.
Third-Party Apps. Apps like "Repost: For Instagram" or "Regrann" used to be the gold standard. You copy the link of the post you want, open the app, and it handles the downloading and the captioning for you. They usually slap a little watermark in the corner with the original username. It’s convenient, sure, but be careful. Many of these apps are filled with aggressive ads, and some might even ask for your login info. Never give your Instagram password to a third-party app. It’s a fast track to getting your account hacked or flagged for suspicious activity.
Desktop Inspection. If you’re tech-savvy and using a Chrome browser, you can technically "inspect element" on the web version of Instagram to find the direct source URL of an image or video. This is how the pros get high-resolution files without the compression that comes from screenshots.
Why the "Collab" Feature Changed Everything
In 2021, Instagram rolled out the "Collab" feature. This basically killed the need for a traditional repost button in many situations. When you use the Collab tool, the post appears on two different profiles simultaneously. It shares the same "Like" count and the same comment thread.
If you're working with a partner or a brand, this is the only way you should be reposting. You don't "re-upload" their stuff; you invite them to be a collaborator before you hit share. It’s cleaner, it looks professional, and the data is unified. The only downside? The original creator has to accept the invite. You can't just "collab" with a random celebrity and expect it to work.
The Ethics of the Repost
We need to talk about the "Instagram Police." Not actual cops, obviously, but the community standards that can get your account shadowbanned if you aren't careful.
Intellectual property is a big deal. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has repeatedly stated that the platform wants to prioritize "original" content. If your entire feed is just reposts of other people's work, the algorithm is eventually going to bury you.
Always, always, always ask for permission. A quick DM saying, "Hey, I love this post, do you mind if I share it to my feed with credit?" goes a long way. Most creators will say yes because it’s free exposure. If you don't ask, and the original creator reports your post for copyright infringement, Instagram will take it down. Do that too many times, and your account gets deleted. It’s not worth the risk.
And "Credit to the owner" is not real credit. That is a meaningless phrase. Mention the specific handle in the first two lines of your caption so people actually see it. Tag them in the photo itself. Make it easy for your followers to find the person who actually did the work.
Using Reels to "Remix" Content
If you want to repost a video but add your own spin, the "Remix" feature is your best friend. It’s basically Instagram’s version of a TikTok Duet. You take someone else's Reel and your video plays right next to it, or you can choose to have your video play after theirs.
This is technically a way of reposting, but it’s transformative. It adds value. Instead of just stealing a funny clip, you’re reacting to it or adding a counter-argument. This is the type of content the algorithm actually likes because it encourages "conversation" rather than just passive scrolling.
Common Technical Glitches
Sometimes you try to share a post to your Story and the option just... isn't there. Why?
- Private Accounts: If the person you're trying to repost from has a private account, you can't share their stuff to your Story. Even if you follow them, their privacy settings prevent their content from being broadcast to your followers.
- Disabled Sharing: Users can go into their settings and toggle off "Allow others to reshare." If they've done this, you're out of luck.
- App Updates: If your Instagram app is even a few weeks out of date, features start breaking. Always check the App Store or Google Play Store first.
Moving Beyond the Basics
To really master how to repost stuff on instagram, you should look into tools like Canva. If you've got permission to repost a set of photos, don't just dump them into a carousel. Take those images, put them into a branded template in Canva, and add your own commentary. This turns a simple repost into a piece of curated content.
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Curation is a skill. Think of accounts like FuckJerry or the various "niche" meme pages. They don't create much original photography, but they are masters of curation. They know how to find the best stuff and present it in a way that feels like a cohesive brand. That is the secret. It’s not about the act of reposting; it’s about the selection process.
Practical Steps to Get Started Right Now
If you have found a post you want to share, follow this workflow to ensure you don't get penalized or look like a bot.
First, check if the account is public. If it is, try the "Add to Story" method first to see if it fits your goals. If you absolutely need it on your feed, send a DM to the creator. Wait for a "thumbs up."
Once you have the green light, use a high-quality downloader or a clean screenshot. When you write your caption, start with your own thoughts. Why does this matter to your followers? Then, clearly attribute the source.
Pro-tip: Use the "Add Topics" feature when you're about to post. This helps the AI categorize your repost so it reaches the right audience, even if the content didn't originate from you.
Finally, keep an eye on your insights. If your reposts are getting way fewer likes than your original photos, it’s a sign your audience wants more of you and less of what you're finding elsewhere. Balance is everything. Aim for an 80/20 rule: 80% original content, 20% curated reposts. This keeps your feed fresh without making you look like a content scraper.
Check your "Account Status" in settings regularly. This will tell you if any of your reposts have been flagged for "Low Quality" or "Unoriginal Content." If you see green checks across the board, you’re doing it right. If not, it’s time to pivot back to original photography and video for a while to regain the algorithm's trust.