How to Share Reels to Instagram Story for More Engagement
Learn how to share Instagram Reels to your Story, customize for impact, use hashtags, and post at peak times to boost reach and engagement.
How to Share Reels to Instagram Story for More Engagement
Sharing reels to Instagram Story is one of the simplest yet most effective strategies for boosting interaction on your content. Instagram Reels have massive discovery potential, but adding them to your Story takes that visibility further — giving followers more opportunities to view, engage, and click through. This comprehensive guide walks you step-by-step through how to share reels to Instagram Story, customize them for maximum impact, and analyze your results so you can refine your approach.
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Why Sharing Reels to Stories Boosts Engagement
Stories sit prominently at the top of the Instagram home feed, making them one of the first features viewers see when they open the app. By sharing reels to your Story:
- Increased Visibility — Followers who miss your reel in the feed can catch it in stories.
- Higher Click-Through Rates — Interactive elements such as stickers, polls, and swipe-up links (for eligible accounts) attract attention.
- Algorithm Advantage — Story engagement can indirectly boost reel performance in the Explore tab.
- More Personal Interaction — Stories often feel more intimate, encouraging viewers to take action.
Combined with a regular posting routine, story-sharing saturates multiple areas of Instagram, extending your reach.
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Step 1: Find and Select the Reel You Want to Share
You can share:
- Your own reel — Perfect for reminding audiences about fresh content.
- Another creator’s reel — Useful for collaborations, shout-outs, or curated brand-related posts.
To begin:
- Navigate to the reel you want to share.
- Confirm it’s set to public or belongs to an account that permits sharing — avoiding failed shares due to privacy limits.
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Step 2: Tap the Paper Airplane Icon
Under each reel video, you’ll find a paper airplane icon on the right.
Tap it to open the share menu — this lets you send reels in DMs or add them directly to your Story.
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Step 3: Choose “Add Reel to Your Story”
From the menu:
- Select “Add Reel to Your Story.”
- You’ll enter Story-edit mode with the reel in preview.
- A default background will appear, which you can customize at will.
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Step 4: Customize Story Background and Color
Visual appeal helps retain attention. Use the background color tool to match your brand palette or complement the reel’s tone.
Tips:
- Keep backgrounds clean and uncluttered.
- Consider subtle gradients for aesthetic depth.
- Maintain consistent brand colors for recognition.
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Step 5: Enhance Engagement with Stickers, Text, and GIFs
Interactive components spark curiosity.
Best practices:
- Polls or Questions — Invite opinions relevant to the reel theme.
- GIFs — Add energy without overwhelming the visual.
- Text Overlays — Tease reel highlights without revealing everything.
> Pro Tip: Keep stickers clear of key video areas to avoid obstructing content.
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Step 6: Tag Relevant Accounts and Locations
Tagging builds connections:
- Accounts — Notify others featured to encourage reshares.
- Location Tags — Boost your reel’s odds of appearing in location-based Explore feeds.
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Step 7: Add Hashtags in Story Text
Hashtags do work in stories, but they show less prominently:
- Use 1–3 focused hashtags in tiny text.
- Conceal them behind stickers for cleaner visuals.
- Experiment with niche hashtags to reach specialized audiences.
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Step 8: Share During Peak Audience Times
Timing strongly affects reach. Check Instagram Insights for your specific audience data:
| Audience Segment | Peak Times |
|---|---|
| Global Audience | Between 11 AM – 2 PM UTC |
| Local/Niche Audience | Lunch breaks or commuter hours |
| Weekend Engagement | Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings |
Post when follower activity is highest for maximum visibility.
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Step 9: Use a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)
A strong CTA encourages clicks:
Examples:
- “Tap to watch the full reel 🎥”
- “Catch the full story in my reel!”
- “Learn the full tutorial — tap now!”
Keep CTAs short, eye-catching, and near interactive sections.
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Step 10: Track Story Views and Reel Engagement
Monitor Instagram Insights regularly:
- Story Views — Gauge follower reach.
- Reel Opens via Story — Shows direct click-through.
- Engagement Rate — Track likes, comments, and shares.
These metrics reveal which story styles produce the most traffic to your reels.
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Step 11: Test Different Reel Types and Story Formats
Variety prevents audience fatigue. Experiment with:
- Behind-the-scenes snippets.
- Montage highlights of your best reels.
- Current audio trends.
- Tutorial or “how-to” format.
Compare minimalistic vs. interactive stories to discover which performs best.
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Step 12: Cross-Share to Facebook
Double your reach by auto-posting Instagram stories to Facebook:
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Story > Share Your Story to Facebook.
- Link the correct Facebook Page to ensure proper posting.
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Best Practices to Avoid Oversharing
Balance is crucial:
- Limit daily reel shares; aim for quality over quantity.
- Add relevant captions or context to avoid randomness.
- Mix content formats — reels, photos, updates — for variety.
- Keep stories concise and engaging.
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Recap and Next Steps
Sharing reels to your Instagram Story is an effective tactic to expand your reach and strengthen engagement. The process:
- Select your reel.
- Use “Add Reel to Your Story.”
- Customize with branded visuals and interactive elements.
- Tag, hashtag, and post at peak follower times.
- Analyze your data and experiment.
By teasing your reels creatively in stories, you create intrigue that drives follower clicks and deeper interaction.
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Ready to boost your engagement? Start sharing reels to your Instagram Story today, test different storytelling styles, and track what works — so every share moves you closer to your goals.
