How to Share an Instagram Video on App and Beyond
Learn step-by-step ways to share Instagram videos, Reels, and Stories within the app and externally, while respecting privacy and creator credits.
How to Share an Instagram Video on App and Beyond
Instagram has grown into a powerhouse for video content, making it essential to know how to share a IG video both within the app and across other channels. In this guide, you’ll learn all the practical steps for sharing clips, Reels, and Stories to friends, followers, and even to external sites — all while preserving credit and adhering to platform guidelines.
Whether your goal is to boost engagement, promote a brand, or simply entertain, understanding the ins and outs of sharing will help you get your videos in front of the right audience.
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Understanding Instagram Video Sharing Options
Instagram offers multiple built-in ways to share videos:
- Post to Feed — Permanent content displayed on your profile grid.
- Reels — Short-form, vertical videos designed for maximum discoverability.
- Stories — Temporary posts that disappear after 24 hours.
- Direct Message (DM) — Private delivery to specific individuals or groups.
- Link Sharing — Generates a shareable URL for posting elsewhere.
Each method serves different engagement strategies, so choose based on your content goals and your audience’s preferences.
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Locating the Video You Want to Share
Finding your starting point is key:
- Your own videos — Access them via your profile.
- Other users’ clips — Discover in your feed, on profiles, or via hashtags.
- Trending content — Browse the Explore or Reels tabs.
> Note: For private accounts, videos are only visible to approved followers, even if you share the link.
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Using the Native Share Icon to Send via DM
The Direct Message feature lets you share videos quickly and privately:
- Open the video.
- Tap the paper plane icon.
- Select recipients.
- Optionally add a caption or emoji before hitting Send.
This method is ideal for discreet, targeted content delivery.
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Sharing to Your Instagram Story
Want public visibility for 24 hours? Add the video to your Story.
Steps:
- Tap share under the clip.
- Choose Add post to your story.
- Personalise with stickers, text, or GIFs.
- Publish to Your Story.
Story sharing is effective for driving attention to the original creator while engaging your followers immediately.
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Copying the Video Link for External Sharing
For platforms beyond Instagram — like WhatsApp, Messenger, or email:
- Tap the three dots (⋯) menu.
- Choose Copy Link.
- Paste into your chosen app or message.
External sharing respects account privacy settings, so content from private profiles won’t be visible to non-followers.
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Sharing Videos from the Reels Section
Reels are Instagram’s viral engine, designed for maximum reach. To share:
- Tap the share icon.
- Select DM, Story, or Copy Link.
- Remember: Original audio attribution is automatic when resharing.
Keeping that attribution visible supports the creator community and adheres to Instagram’s rules.
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Managing Privacy and Permissions
Before sharing, consider:
- Public accounts: Content is freely shareable.
- Private accounts: Restricted to followers.
- Creator settings: Story sharing may be disabled.
To adjust your own privacy settings, go to Settings > Privacy.
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Using “Add Post to Your Story” for Feed Videos and Reels
When resharing from public accounts:
- Tap share.
- Select Add post to your story.
- Adjust design with background colours, polls, or hashtags.
- Publish.
This creates an interactive presentation of the shared video with a clickable path to the original.
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Embedding Instagram Video on Websites or Blogs
To place Instagram videos on external websites:
- On desktop, open the video.
- Click More options (⋯) > Embed.
- Copy the generated HTML.
- Paste into your site’s code editor.
Example:
Embedding retains Instagram’s branding and links readers back to the source.
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Troubleshooting Common Sharing Issues
Potential roadblocks include:
- No share icon: Content type or privacy restrictions.
- Music errors: Regional copyright limitations.
- Story sharing disabled: Creator settings may block this.
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Tips for Increasing Engagement When Resharing Videos
Maximise reach by:
- Writing attention-grabbing captions.
- Tagging the original creator.
- Adding trending hashtags.
- Posting during peak follower activity times.
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Best Practices for Crediting Original Creators
Proper credit builds trust and community:
- Keep the original username in Stories.
- In captions, note “Credit: @username”.
- Never download/re-upload without consent.
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Remember Instagram’s Community Guidelines
Always comply with Instagram’s standards:
- Avoid copyright infringement.
- No violent or discriminatory content.
- Respect privacy and consent.
Refer to the full Community Guidelines when unsure.
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Quick Reference Table: Sharing Options
| Sharing Method | Privacy Requirements | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Message | Sender's and receiver's accounts only | Private, targeted sharing |
| Story Share | Public accounts or allowed posts | Quick highlights |
| Copy Link | Public content | Sharing outside Instagram |
| Embed | Public content | Web articles and blogs |
| Reel Share | Public content | Trending or viral videos |
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Summary
By following these structured methods, you’ll know how to share a IG video seamlessly across Instagram and beyond. Use DM for private exchanges, Stories for short-lived highlights, links for cross-platform distribution, and embeds for website integration — all while maintaining proper credit and respecting privacy settings.
Ready to expand your reach? Start experimenting with different sharing formats today to see which generates the most engagement for your content.
