How to Repost on Instagram in 2026: Step‑by‑Step Guide for Posts, Stories & Reels

I know how frustrating it can be when you want to reshare a great piece of content but the workflow is clunky, the original creator's settings block sharing, or you're not sure whether you're staying within best-practice etiquette. I've spent years working with marketing teams to build repeatable reposting processes that respect creators while driving engagement and social proof.

In this guide I’ll walk you through every practical way to repost on Instagram in 2026 — official reshares, manual workarounds, and third‑party tools — for grid posts, Stories and Reels. You'll get step‑by‑step instructions, decision rules for which method to use, and the exact captioning/attribution practices I recommend.

By the end you'll be able to confidently reshare content in ways that protect relationships, keep your brand consistent, and maximize reach without guesswork.

Why Reposting on Instagram Matters
How to Repost: Step-by-Step (Posts, Stories, Reels)
Alternative Methods
Best Practices and Tips
Recommended Tools and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Wrapping Up

Why Reposting on Instagram Matters

Reposting is one of the highest-leverage content tactics for marketing teams because it lets you amplify social proof, scale content output, and strengthen community ties without producing everything from scratch. When executed well, reposts build credibility quickly: your audience sees third‑party endorsements or customer content and trusts your claims more readily.

There are a few common scenarios where reposting matters most. For example, resharing a customer's Reel using your product can serve as a conversion driver in a way a studio-shot ad rarely does. Similarly, resharing partner content during a campaign expands reach across both audiences while signaling collaboration and trust.

Trends continue toward short-form video and Stories-first interaction, so repurposing Reels into Stories or grid posts (with permission and attribution) is increasingly important for maintaining presence across Instagram’s surfaces and algorithmic changes. In short: reposting helps you be efficient, social, and trustworthy at the same time.

How to Repost: Step-by-Step

Below I break the practical steps into clear sequences for the three main content types: grid posts (including carousels), Stories, and Reels. For each step I include checks, tips, and when to pause and request permission.

Step 1: Identify the Content You Want to Repost

First, choose content that aligns with your campaign goals and brand voice — product advocates, partner announcements, or user-generated content (UGC) are typical high-value picks. Look for public accounts or content that clearly shows product use or an endorsement. If the account is private, do not repost unless you have explicit permission.

Tip: I keep a shared folder (or saved Instagram collection) for candidate posts, so stakeholders can review and approve quickly.

Step 2: Check the Original Creator’s Sharing Settings

Open the original post on Instagram and look for the share/reshare affordance. For public posts Instagram still allows reshares to Stories unless the creator has disabled sharing in their settings. If the share option is absent, you need to request permission or use a manual method.

Warning: Always respect the creator’s sharing preferences — ignoring a disabled-share setting can harm relationships and potentially violate platform rules.

Step 3: Request Permission When Appropriate

When the content is user-generated or not explicitly tagged to your brand, send a concise DM asking to repost. I recommend a templated message: introduce yourself, explain where you’ll repost (Story/grid/Reel), and offer to tag, credit, and send the final post for review. Record the creator’s consent (screenshot or saved message) for legal and team-audit purposes.

Tip: For high-volume reposting, establish a public repost policy and an email address or Google Form creators can use to grant evergreen permission.

Step 4: Repost a Grid Post to Your Story (Official Reshare)

When a public post allows sharing, tap the paper airplane icon under the post, then choose "Add post to your story." That creates a Story draft with the image/video and a link back to the original post; you can add text, stickers, and mention the creator. Always keep the original post visible and tag the creator so attribution is clear.

Note: If you add context or commentary, do so in a way that adds value rather than simply copying the caption; that improves engagement and preserves the original creator's intent.

Step 5: Repost a Grid Post to Your Feed (Manual Reshare)

Instagram removed official “repost to grid” in past iterations; to place a third‑party post on your grid you have two responsible options: (1) ask the creator for the original asset files and permission to post under your account, or (2) create an authorized quote-style repost where you recreate the visual with permission, adding a clear credit line like “Original: @username”. Never download and re-upload without consent.

Tip: When you receive source files, ask the creator for high-res images and preferred caption copy to maintain accuracy and speed up approval.

Step 6: Repost a Story When You’re Mentioned (Official)

If someone mentions you in their Story, Instagram sends a notification. Open the DM containing the mention and tap "Add this to your story." The Story will include a tappable link back to the original account and automatically mention the creator. Use this for quick amplification of customer praise or partner callouts.

Warning: This method only works when you are directly tagged. For untagged Stories you'll need a workaround (see Alternatives).

Step 7: Repost a Story You Aren’t Tagged In (Workaround)

If you need to reshare an untagged Story and you have the creator's permission, methods include asking them to send the Story file directly or taking a screenshot / screen recording that they authorize you to publish. Confirm permission in writing and credit the creator prominently.

Tip: Use screen recording for short videos and trim in your Stories editor. For images, crop to maintain composition but avoid heavy edits that alter the creator's message.

Step 8: Repost a Reel to Your Feed or Story (Official & Remix Options)

To share a Reel to your Story, tap the paper airplane icon on the Reel and choose "Add reel to your story." To repost a Reel to your feed, the official options are limited; the ethical approach is to ask the creator for the original file or to collaborate via Instagram's Remix/Collab features if available. Remix or Collab lets you attach your profile to the original Reel without reuploading the same asset.

Note: Remix places your content alongside the original and preserves attribution; Collab, where supported, co-credits both accounts on a single post — ideal for joint campaigns.

Step 9: Add Context and Optimize Captions for Reposts

When you repost, add context that explains why you're resharing: a short sentence, campaign hashtag, or call-to-action. I recommend starting with a credit (e.g., “Credit: @creator”) then adding 1–2 lines that tie the post to your audience (e.g., “Our CX team loves this setup — here’s how you can recreate it”). Make attribution clear and front-load key messaging.

Tip: Keep your brand voice consistent; if the original tone differs, add a short framing sentence rather than rewriting the creator's caption.

Step 10: Schedule, Monitor and Measure the Repost

Once posted, treat reshared content like any other campaign: schedule optimal post times, monitor comments for community management, and track engagement and referral metrics to the original account when possible. Document performance in your content calendar so you can judge when reposting is worth the effort.

Warning: If a repost triggers negative feedback, be prepared to respond quickly and, if necessary, remove the repost per creator or audience request.

Alternative Methods

There are legitimate alternative approaches for reposting when the official path won't work (private accounts, disabled sharing, or asset needs). I use these methods depending on risk, permission, and desired output quality.

Creator-Sent Source Files

When possible, ask the creator to send the original high-resolution images or video files plus caption copy. This is the cleanest method for grid reposts because you upload a native file that fits your brand's aspect ratio and quality standards.

Pros: Highest quality, easy to edit for brand consistency, explicit permission recorded.
Cons: Requires creator cooperation and potentially more back-and-forth for approvals.
Key Steps: DM → confirm usage terms → receive files → credit in caption → schedule upload.

Screen Recording / Screenshot Workaround

If you can't get source files but have permission, capture the Story or Reel by screen recording (video) or screenshot (image), then upload as a Story or feed post with clear credit. This method is common for spontaneous UGC resharing.

Pros: Fast and low-friction.
Cons: Lower quality, potential for loss of context, must have explicit permission to avoid disputes.
Key Steps: Get permission → capture → edit (crop/trim) → add credit and context in caption/overlay.

Remix/Collab and Native Instagram Tools

Instagram offers Remix and Collab features that let you pair your content with an existing Reel or co-author a post. Use Remix when you want to respond or add commentary; use Collab when you have an agreement to share credit and reach.

Pros: Keeps original engagement and attribution intact; often favored by the algorithm for collaborative content.
Cons: Features evolve and may not be available for every post type or account.
Key Steps: From the Reel’s menu, select Remix (or invite to Collab) and follow prompts to record or request collaboration.

Best Practices and Tips

Below are the practical rules I have used with teams to keep reposting efficient, ethical, and effective.

Always get explicit permission: If sharing someone’s original content to your feed, ask and record consent to avoid misunderstandings.
Credit visibly: Tag the creator in the post or Story and include a credit line in the caption or overlay so attribution is unambiguous.
Add value, don’t just repost: Provide context, commentary, or a CTA so reposts feel purposeful and aligned with your strategy.
Match brand aesthetics: Minor formatting (crop, color adjustment) is fine with permission, but avoid changing the creator’s message or misrepresenting them.
Keep a permission log: Save screenshots or messages giving consent and note rights (duration, platforms, edits allowed).
Prefer native uploads when possible: Native media performs better in reach and quality than reposting via screenshots or embeds.
Use reposts strategically: Mix original and reposted content—too many reposts dilutes your owned voice and can confuse followers.
Respect do-not-share requests: If a creator asks you to remove a repost, comply quickly and apologize; it's better for long-term relationships.

Recommended Tools and Resources

These are tools I recommend for operationalizing reposts, managing permissions, and optimizing the quality of shared assets.

Content Calendar / DAM (Digital Asset Manager) — Use a shared calendar or DAM to store approved assets and permission records so your team can reshare without delays.
Repost & Attribution Apps — Lightweight repost apps can speed Stories-to-feed workflows; choose ones that emphasize creator credit and keep an audit trail.
Screen Recording and Editing Tools — Mobile screen recorders and quick editors (trim, crop) help convert Stories or Reels into clean reposts when source files aren't available.
Instagram Business Account & Creator Tools — Ensure your account has business features for analytics, Collab invites, and richer post options.
Approval Forms (Google Forms / Airtable) — Use a simple form to collect creator permissions for high-volume UGC programs; store results centrally for legal clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I repost someone’s Instagram content without asking?

No. If the content is public and Instagram offers a native share-to‑Story option, you can use that for Stories, but for reposting to your grid or republishing the asset you should always ask for permission. I’ve found that a quick DM asking consent avoids disputes and builds goodwill.

How should I credit the original creator?

Tag the creator in the post (handle in the caption and mention in the image or Story sticker if possible). A clear credit line like “Credit: @username” at the start or end of your caption is best practice. In my experience, visible, front‑loaded credit reduces friction and is appreciated by creators.

What’s the difference between Remix, Collab, and reposting?

Remix pairs your new content with an existing Reel, showing both side-by-side; Collab (when available) makes you a co-author of a single post so it appears on both profiles; reposting typically copies or shares an existing post into your feed or Story. Use Remix when reacting, Collab for joint ownership, and reposting for amplification with explicit permission.

Will reposts hurt my relationship with creators?

They can if you repost without permission, misattribute, or materially alter the creator’s message. What I recommend is explicit permission, clear attribution, and offering the creator visibility or compensation in exchange for recurring use. That approach turns reposting into a relationship-builder rather than a liability.

How do reposts perform compared to original content?

Reposts that include social proof (real customers, partners) often outperform purely promotional original content on engagement because they feel authentic. That said, algorithmic performance varies; mixing reposts with original content and adding unique context helps maintain reach. Track your metrics and adapt based on what your audience prefers.

Are there legal issues with reposting?

Yes, there can be. Copyright remains with the creator unless they grant rights. Even if content is public, republishing without permission can expose you to takedown requests or claims. I always document written permission and limit edits unless the creator allows them.

Wrapping Up

Reposting on Instagram in 2026 is about balancing reach, quality, and creator respect. In my experience, the most reliable approach is to ask for permission, credit clearly, and add context so the repost serves your audience and the original creator.

What I recommend is building a small repost playbook for your team: a permission template, an asset intake process, and a performance check after each repost. That turns one-off resharing into a scalable part of your content strategy.

Now that you have the step-by-step methods, alternative options, and tools, take one small action: pick a recent positive customer post, request permission to repost, and run it through the workflow above. Once you can do that reliably, expand into Reels and collaborative remixes to capture more reach and authenticity.