How to Share a Reel on Instagram

Instagram makes sharing Reels seamless across various platforms and formats, helping users boost visibility and engagement without always creating new content. From your Reels tab, you can easily share your own or others’ Reels to your Story, where they stay visible for 24 hours and drive interactions like DMs or profile visits. You can also send Reels privately via Direct Message, adding personal context to foster conversation, or copy and share Reel links outside the app ideal for WhatsApp, email, or embedding in blogs. For broader reach, Instagram allows cross-posting to Facebook Stories or Feed, either manually or through automatic sharing settings, benefiting creators aiming for consistency and wider exposure. Reposting older Reels by saving and reuploading with updated captions can revive high-performing content, as long as credit is given when necessary. Meta Business Suite offers scheduling tools for strategic posting, while boosting Reels as ads can elevate their discoverability. A helpful table aligns each sharing method with timing tips for optimal impact.

Sharing a Reel on Your Instagram Story

Adding a Reel to your Story is one of the easiest ways to resurface content and reach followers who might have missed it in their feed. When shared to your Story, a Reel becomes visible for 24 hours and can drive profile visits, DMs, or even saves.

From Your Own Reels Tab

To share your own Reel to your Story, follow these steps:

1. Go to your Instagram profile and tap the Reels tab (video icon in the middle).
2. Open the Reel you want to share.
3. Tap the paper airplane icon (share icon) at the bottom.
4. Select “Add reel to your story.”
5. Customize with stickers, GIFs, or text, then tap “Your Story” to post.

This method is great for teasing new content or highlighting older Reels that performed well.

From Someone Else’s Reel

You can also share Reels from other users directly to your own Story:

1. Find the Reel you want to share.
2. Tap the paper airplane icon.
3. Tap “Add reel to your story.”
4. Add optional text or effects, then hit Share.

📌 Note: If the option to share is missing, it may be because the original creator disabled resharing. In such cases, consider asking for permission before taking alternative steps.

Sharing Reels to your Story can help you maintain consistent content output without constantly filming new clips ideal for busy creators or brands.

Sharing a Reel in a Direct Message (DM)

Sending Reels via DM is a more personal way to share content with friends or followers. Whether it’s for entertainment, collaboration, or feedback, this method keeps sharing direct and private.

Share from the Reel Player

1. Open the Reel you want to send.
2. Tap the paper airplane (send) icon.
3. Select the user(s) or group you want to DM it to.
4. Tap Send.

This is ideal for sharing Reels that are relevant to a specific conversation or community.

Tips for Better DM Engagement

To improve interaction when sending Reels via DM:

• Add context: Include a short message or reaction to spark a reply.
• Use timing wisely: Share content when the recipient is likely to be active.
• Avoid spam: Only send Reels that align with the person’s interests or the conversation topic.

This increases the chance of a meaningful interaction rather than your message being ignored.

Sharing a Reel Outside of Instagram

Instagram allows you to share Reels beyond the platform helpful if you want to expand your content’s visibility or save it for later use.

Copy the Reel Link

1. Tap the three dots (⋮) on any Reel.
2. Select Copy Link.
3. The link is now saved to your clipboard and ready to paste.

This method is great for embedding in newsletters, documents, or notes.

Share to WhatsApp, Email, or Blogs

Once you’ve copied the link:

• WhatsApp: Paste into a chat or group and hit send.
• Email: Include the link in the body with a subject like “Check this out!”
• Blog or Website: Embed the Reel using the copied link or as a hyperlink within text.

Reels shared outside of Instagram can help direct new audiences back to your account especially when paired with clear calls to action.

How to Share a Reel on Facebook Stories or Feed

Sharing Instagram Reels to Facebook helps increase visibility by leveraging both platforms especially if your followers are more active on one than the other.

Steps for Facebook Sharing

To share a Reel directly to your Facebook:

1. Open your Reel and tap the three dots (⋮).
2. Select Share > Facebook.
3. Choose whether to post on your Story or Feed.
4. Add any captions or stickers if needed, then tap Post.

Note: You can also enable automatic sharing to Facebook from Instagram settings under “Account > Sharing to Other Apps.”

Benefits of Cross-Posting

Cross-posting Reels from Instagram to Facebook offers several benefits:

• Broader reach: Reach followers who may not use both platforms.
• Increased engagement: Boost views, likes, and shares.
• Content consistency: Keep your audience updated across channels.

This technique is especially effective for creators or businesses aiming to maximize ROI from short-form content.

Reposting a Reel on Your Feed

Sometimes a Reel deserves a second run especially if it gained traction or fits a new campaign. Here’s how to repost it to your feed the right way.

Download and Reupload Method

If the original Reel is yours:

1. Go to your profile and open the Reel.
2. Tap the three-dot menu and choose Save to Device.
3. Reupload it by creating a new post and selecting the video.
4. Add a fresh caption, hashtags, or CTA to match current context.

If the Reel belongs to someone else, ask for permission first or tag them clearly. Just like when you share someone’s story on Instagram, giving proper credit is key to ethical reposting.

Ethical Considerations and Credits

When reposting:

• Always credit the original creator.
• If possible, ask for explicit permission.
• Avoid altering the content without approval.
• Use captions like “🎥 Credit: @username” or “Reposted from @username”.

Respecting content ownership strengthens creator relationships and avoids potential copyright issues.

Table: Best Ways to Share a Reel Based on Purpose

Purpose	Best Sharing Method	Suggested Timing
Gain more views	Share to Instagram Story	Evenings (6 PM – 9 PM)
Drive traffic outside app	Copy and share reel link externally	Mornings (8 AM – 10 AM)
Increase engagement	Send via Direct Message	Afternoons (12 PM – 3 PM)
Boost visibility cross-platform	Share to Facebook Feed or Story	Weekends
Archive or evergreen content	Repost to your feed with updated caption	Mondays or content gaps

This quick table helps you match your reel-sharing goals with the most effective method and timing.

Scheduling or Boosting a Reel for Maximum Reach

If you want to maximize your reach on Instagram, it’s important to plan and promote your reels strategically. Here’s how:

Schedule Reels with Meta Tools

Instagram doesn’t yet allow in-app scheduling for reels directly, but Meta Business Suite provides a powerful alternative:

• Log into Meta Business Suite on desktop.
• Upload your reel and choose “Schedule.”
• Select your preferred date and time.
• Your reel will automatically publish at the chosen time.

This is a great option for content creators and brands that want to maintain consistency across campaigns.

Boosting Reels as Paid Ads

To turn a reel into a sponsored post:

• Tap on a published reel and select Boost Post.
• Define your audience, budget, and duration.
• Use built-in analytics to monitor performance.

Boosting can significantly increase discoverability especially when you’re trying to reach a new audience or highlight a trending topic.