How to Share an IG Reel to My Story Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to share Instagram Reels to your Story with step-by-step instructions, customization ideas, and privacy tips to boost reach and engagement.
How to Share an IG Reel to My Story: Step-by-Step Guide
Instagram is one of the leading social platforms for short-form video and temporary content, with Reels and Stories dominating user engagement. If you’ve ever wondered exactly how to share an IG reel to my story, the process is straightforward — and highly effective for boosting your reach. This guide covers the differences between Reels and Stories, how to check and adjust permissions, detailed sharing steps, customization tips, and best practices to maximize your content’s visibility.
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Understanding the Difference Between Reels and Stories
Before you start sharing, it’s crucial to understand these two formats:
- Reels: Short, immersive, full-screen videos designed for discovery and entertainment, often shown in the Explore feed.
- Stories: Temporary posts that disappear after 24 hours, displayed at the top of followers’ feeds.
Why it matters: Sharing a Reel to your Story increases its visibility among your current followers, even those who don’t normally scroll through the Reels tab.
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Step 1: Check the Source — Yours or Someone Else’s
Your sharing options depend on whether the Reel is yours or comes from another account:
- Your own Reel: You can freely share and customize without restrictions.
- Another user’s Reel: Sharing may be restricted based on their privacy settings.
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Step 2: Ensure Reel Privacy Settings Allow Sharing
Only certain Reels can be shared depending on account type and settings:
| Account Type | Can Share Reel to Story? |
|---|---|
| Public account | Yes, if user has allowed sharing |
| Private account (you follow them) | Yes, if they permit sharing in settings |
| Private account (not followed) | No |
Tip: If unsure, ask the content owner to check Settings → Privacy → Reels → Allow Sharing to Story.
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Step 3: Open the Reel and Tap the Paper Plane Icon
Once you locate the Reel you want:
- Tap the paper plane icon below the video.
- This opens the Instagram sharing menu.
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Step 4: Select "Add Reel to Your Story"
From the sharing options:
- Choose Add Reel to Your Story.
- The Reel will load in the Story editor for customization.
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Step 5: Customize the Story
Enhance engagement with creative adjustments:
- Text: Add captions or contextual commentary.
- Stickers: Emojis, GIFs, polls, and more.
- Interactive elements: Include “Questions” or “Quiz” stickers to invite participation.
Pro tip: Place stickers around, not over, key visual elements to maintain clarity.
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Step 6: Use Tagging and Location Features to Increase Reach
Boost discoverability with tagging:
- Tag people: Credit collaborators or featured accounts.
- Location tags: Reach local audiences.
- Hashtags: Increase likelihood of appearing in hashtag-specific Story feeds.
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Step 7: Adjust Duration and Placement
While Reels in Stories can be clicked to watch in full, you can modify:
- Placement: Move the Reel within the frame to highlight parts.
- Duration: Trim segments or loop with Story editing tools.
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Step 8: Preview Your Story
Always review before posting:
- Watch the complete preview.
- Correct text overlays if needed.
- Verify all tags and interactive elements are functional.
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Step 9: Publish and Monitor Engagement
To post:
- Tap Your Story.
- After publishing, check Story Insights for metrics such as views, replies, and link clicks.
- Observe how many tap through to watch the full Reel.
Analytics help refine future sharing strategies.
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Step 10: Troubleshoot Common Sharing Issues
If sharing fails, check for:
- Restricted accounts: New or flagged accounts might have limits.
- Outdated app version: Update from your app store.
- Privacy restrictions: Private accounts may block sharing.
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Best Practices for Optimizing Reel Visibility When Shared to Stories
For consistent results:
- Post at peak follower times to maximize views.
- Cross-promote content via posts, Stories, and other platforms.
- Use engaging previews — first frames matter.
- Leverage analytics to improve based on engagement patterns.
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Tips for Encouraging Followers to Reshare Your Reel
Increase shareability with:
- High-value content: Entertain, inform, or inspire.
- Clear prompts: Use overlays inviting users to share.
- Relatable themes: Emotional or trending topics encourage interaction.
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Summary and Next Steps
Knowing how to share an IG reel to my story empowers you to expand reach and engagement effortlessly. By mastering settings, customizing content, and applying smart tagging, you increase the chance of your Reels getting noticed and reshared. Start implementing these steps today to make your presence felt on Instagram — and watch your analytics grow.
