Agencies Social Media Content Marketing Digital Marketing Instagram Marketing Social Customer Support Product Updates Help Center

How to share a Reel on Instagram: Complete guide for 2025

Published by Khadija Anwar

Jun 16, 202514 minutes

Instagram Reels have become one of the most powerful tools for content creators, businesses, and everyday users to boost their reach and engagement. With over 200 billion Reel plays daily across Instagram and Facebook, effectively sharing these short-form videos can dramatically amplify your content’s impact.

Whether you’ve created an amazing Reel that deserves more visibility or discovered someone else’s content that resonates with your audience, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every method to share Reels on Instagram.

Instagram Marketing

Schedule your Instagram posts, Reels, and Stories, and get recommended best time to publish for maximum engagement.

Get Started for FREE

What are Instagram Reels, and why share them?

Instagram Reels are short, engaging videos up to 90 seconds long that allow users to create and discover entertaining content using music, effects, and creative editing tools. Similar to TikTok videos, Reels are designed for maximum discoverability through the Explore page and dedicated Reels tab.

Key benefits of sharing Reels:

Extended reach – Stories and shares help your content reach beyond your immediate followers
Increased engagement – Shared content often receives more likes, comments, and saves
Algorithm boost – Instagram rewards accounts that consistently share engaging content
Community building – Sharing others’ content fosters relationships and collaborations
Time efficiency – Repurposing content keeps your profile active without constant creation

Understanding Instagram Reel sharing options

Before diving into the step-by-step methods, it’s important to understand how your account settings affect Reel sharing capabilities.

Privacy settings impact

Public accounts

Anyone can view and share your Reels
Your Reels appear on the Explore, Feed, and Reels tab
Others can download, remix, and record your Reels (unless disabled)
Maximum sharing potential across the platform

Private accounts

Only approved followers can view and share your Reels
Sharing visibility limited to your follower network
No downloading, remixing, or recording allowed by others
More controlled but limited reach

Types of Reel sharing available

Story sharing – Add Reels to your 24-hour Instagram stories
Direct message sharing – Send Reels privately to individuals or groups
External sharing – Share Reel links outside of Instagram
Cross-platform sharing – Post to Facebook and other platforms
Feed reposting – Share as regular posts (requires third-party tools)

Method 1: How to share a Reel to your Instagram story

Sharing Reels to your Instagram Story is the most popular method, offering excellent visibility to your existing followers while encouraging them to engage with the full-length content.

Sharing your own Reel to story

Step 1: Locate your Reel

Open the Instagram app and navigate to your profile
Tap the Reels tab (play button icon) below your bio
Find the Reel you want to share to your Story

Step 2: Access the share menu

Tap on your chosen Reel to open it
Look for the paper airplane icon (share button)
Tap the share button to open sharing options

Step 3: Add to your story

Select “Add reel to your story” from the popup menu
Instagram will automatically create a Story preview of your Reel

Step 4: Customize your story

Add engaging elements like:
- Text overlays (“Tap to watch full Reel!”)
- Colorful stickers and emojis
- Polls or question boxes for interaction
- Background colors or gradients
Position the Reel preview optimally on your Story canvas

Step 5: Share your Story

Choose your audience: “Your Story” for all followers or “Close Friends” for a select group
Tap “Share” to publish your Story

Pro Tip: Add a clear call-to-action like “Tap here to watch the full Reel” since many users don’t realize they can tap Story previews to view complete content.

Sharing someone else’s Reel to story

Step 1: Find the Reel to share

Browse your Instagram feed or Explore the page
Locate the Reel you want to share
Tap to open it in full-screen mode

Step 2: Tap the share Icon

Look for the paper airplane icon on the right side of the screen
Tap the share icon to open sharing options

Step 3: Create your story & add proper attribution

Select “Add reel to your story”
Important: Always credit the original creator properly
Tag the original creator using:
- Link stickers with their username
- Text mention (@username)
- Both methods for maximum visibility
The creator’s username appears at the bottom of the Reel, but it’s often small and hard to read

Step 5: Enhance & Share

Add your own commentary or context
Include relevant hashtags if appropriate
Share to “Your Story” or “Close Friends”

Method 2: How to Share a Reel via Direct Message

Direct message sharing offers a more personal, private way to share Reels with specific individuals or groups, perfect for targeted content sharing.

Sharing with individual contacts

Step 1: Select the reel & access sharing options

Navigate to the Reel you want to share
Tap to open it in full view
Tap the paper airplane icon (share button)
This opens the “Send To” screen

Step 3: Select recipients & confirm delivery

Browse your recent conversations or search for specific usernames
Tap “Send” next to each person’s name you want to share with
You can select multiple recipients for the same Reel
Tap “Done” to complete the sharing process
If you want to send the Reel to the group, then you can select the group name and share it with all group members.

Method 3: Share your Reels beyond Instagram (Reach more people!)

Expanding your Reel’s reach beyond Instagram can significantly increase its visibility and bring new audiences to your profile.

Copying and sharing Reel links

Step 1: Access the share menu

Open the Reel you want to share externally
Tap the paper airplane icon in the bottom-right corner of the Reel
Select “Copy Link” from the menu options

Step 2: Share the Link

Paste the copied link in:
- Text messages
- Email communications
- Other social media platforms
- Website or blog content
- WhatsApp or messaging apps

Best practices for getting more Instagram Reel engagement

1. Perfect timing for your posts

When to post for maximum views:

Morning rush (5-9 AM): People check Instagram while getting ready or commuting
Evening unwind (6-9 PM): After work/school, when people relax and scroll
Mid-week magic: Wednesday and Thursday get the most engagement
Weekend mornings (10 AM-12 PM): When people have leisurely browsing time

How to find YOUR best time:

Go to your Instagram profile → Menu → Insights → New followers
Look at “Most Active Times” to see when YOUR followers are online
Test posting at different times for 2 weeks and see what works
Stick to consistent posting times once you find what works

2. Writing captions that get people to engage

Hook them in the first line:

Start with questions: “Ever wondered why some people never gain weight?”
Use numbers: “3 mistakes everyone makes when…”
Be controversial (nicely): “Unpopular opinion: expensive skincare isn’t always better”
Share secrets: “Here’s what nobody tells you about…”

Writing captions that get people to engage

Make them take action:

Ask: “What’s your biggest struggle with getting leads?”
Use simple commands: “Double tap if this happened to you!”
Get them to share: “Tag someone who always does this!”
Make them save: “Save this so you don’t forget these tips!”

Caption length that works:

Keep it under 150 words for better readability
Use line breaks to make it easy to scan
Put the most important stuff first
End with a clear call to action

3. Hashtag strategy that actually works

The 3-5 hashtag rule:

2 popular hashtags (over 1 million posts) – like #fitness #motivation
2-3 medium hashtags (100K-500K posts) – like #morningroutine #healthyhabits
1 small hashtag (under 50K posts) – like #5amclub #workoutmotivation

How to find good hashtags:

Search hashtags related to your content
See what similar accounts use
Check what’s trending in your niche
Mix them up – don’t use the same ones every time

Where to put hashtags:

In the caption for best results
Or, in the first comment,t if you want a cleaner look

Reated: Instagram hashtags guide: How to find and use the best hashtags in 2025

4. Making reels that people can’t ignore

Video quality basics:

Film vertical (hold the phone upright) – horizontal videos look bad
Good lighting – face a window or use bright lights
Steady hands – hold the phone with both hands or use a tripod
Clear audio – film in quiet places or use trending sounds

Hook people in 3 seconds:

Show the end result first, then explain how
Start with text that creates curiosity
Use bright colors or movement to catch attention
Ask a question right at the start

Keep them watching:

Change scenes every 2-3 seconds
Use text overlays to guide the story
Show your face – people connect with faces
Build up to a satisfying conclusion

5. Building real connections with your audience

Respond to comments like a human:

Reply within a few hours when possible
Ask follow-up questions to keep conversations going
Use their name when responding
Give thoughtful answers, not just “thanks!”

Building real connections with your audience

Be active in your community:

Like and comment on posts from accounts in your niche
Share other people’s content to your Stories (with credit)
Join challenges and trends in your space
Collaborate with other creators

Create content that makes people want to share:

Helpful tips they’ll want to save
Relatable moments that make them tag friends
Behind-the-scenes content that feels exclusive
Quick tutorials they can easily follow

6. Tracking what’s working (Without getting overwhelmed)

Simple metrics to watch weekly:

Likes per post – are they going up or down?
Comments – are people actually engaging?
Shares – do people find your content valuable enough to share?
Profile visits – are Reels bringing people to your page?
New followers – is your content attracting the right people?

Easy testing methods:

Try posting the same type of content at different times
Test short captions vs longer ones
Compare educational content vs entertaining content
See if trending sounds get more views than original audio

7. Daily and Weekly action plan

What to do every day (15 minutes):

Post one Reel at your optimal time
Respond to all comments on recent posts
Engage with 10-15 accounts in your niche
Check trending sounds and hashtags

Weekly review (30 minutes every Sunday):

Look at which posts got the most engagement
Plan content themes for the next week
Update your hashtag list
Schedule or prep content in advance

8. Common mistakes that kill engagement

Don’t do these things:

Posting randomly – consistency beats perfection
Ignoring comments – engagement is a two-way street
Using 20+ hashtags – it looks spammy and doesn’t help
Only posting promotional content – follow the 80/20 rule (80% helpful, 20% selling)
Copying others exactly – be inspired but add your own twist

9. Advanced tips for serious growth

Cross-promote your Reels:

Share to your Instagram Story with “Tap to watch full video”
Post to Facebook if your accounts are connected
Share the link in other communities (with permission)
Repurpose content for other platforms like TikTok

Build anticipation:

Create series content (“Part 1 of 3…”)
Tease upcoming content in current posts
Ask what people want to see next
Create cliffhangers that make people follow for more

Use trends strategically:

Jump on trends early (within 24-48 hours)
Add your unique spin – don’t just copy
Use trending audio with your own visuals
Participate in challenges that fit your brand

The bottom line

Focus on three things:

Consistency – Post regularly at the same times
Value – Always give people something useful or entertaining
Engagement – Actually talk to your audience; don’t just broadcast

Remember: It’s better to have 100 engaged followers who love your content than 10,000 followers who never interact. Quality engagement always beats vanity metrics.

FAQ’s

Can I share a Reel if the account is private?

You can only share Reels from private accounts if you follow them and they haven’t disabled sharing. The sharing will be limited to your audience only.

Why can’t I see the share button on some Reels?

The creator may have disabled sharing, the account might be private and you don’t follow them, or there could be a technical issue. Try updating your app or checking your internet connection.

How do I share a full 60-second Reel to my Story?

Instagram automatically cuts Reels to 15 seconds in Stories. To share the full length, download the Reel and upload it manually to your Story from your camera roll.

Is it legal to repost someone else’s Reel?

Using Instagram’s built-in sharing features is allowed. For reposting to your feed, always credit the creator and respect their wishes. Consider asking permission for commercial use.