As an Instagram marketing expert, one of the most powerful strategies I recommend to my clients for growing their presence and reaching new audiences is reposting content from other users. When done thoughtfully and strategically, reposting allows you to share high-quality, relevant posts that engage your existing audience while also attracting new followers and building relationships with other accounts in your niche.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to become a master at reposting on Instagram in 2023. We‘ll cover exactly what reposting entails, provide detailed steps and examples for reposting different types of content, highlight the key benefits with supporting data, share real examples from top brands, and provide pro tips and best practices for making reposting an integral part of your overall Instagram strategy.
Whether you‘re a business owner, social media manager, content creator or casual Instagram user, you‘ll come away with expert insights and actionable tactics to elevate your Instagram presence through smart, effective reposting.
Why Reposting Matters on Instagram in 2023
Before we dive into the mechanics of reposting, let‘s establish why this tactic is more relevant and impactful than ever for Instagram growth and engagement in 2023:
- Instagram‘s user base continues to explode, with nearly 1.5 billion monthly active users expected by the end of 2023 (eMarketer)
- The platform is emphasizing video content and suggesting relevant posts to users, making it easier to reach wider audiences through reposting
- Average Instagram engagement rates across all industries increased by 5.86% from 2021 to 2022 (RivalIQ)
- Brands that regularly share user-generated content see 4x higher conversion rates than those relying on self-created content alone (Yotpo)
- 61% of marketers plan to increase influencer marketing budgets in 2023, making reposted influencer content a wise investment (MediaKix)
- Consistency of posting remains a top factor in Instagram algorithm rankings; reposting helps fill content calendars with quality posts
In essence, Instagram‘s boom in popularity combined with increasing competitiveness of catching users‘ attention in the feed means that curating and reposting relevant content is now a non-negotiable strategy for sustainable growth on the platform.
What is Reposting on Instagram?
Put simply, reposting on Instagram is the act of sharing an Instagram post, story, reel or video from another account on your own profile. Any type of content posted by another public account is fair game to repost.
The key is to always properly credit the original account by tagging their handle and mentioning them in your caption. Instagram has strict community guidelines around intellectual property, so it‘s critical to give clear credit.
While Instagram does not have a native repost button like Twitter‘s retweet function, there are a few ways to easily repost content manually:
- Using a reposting app
- Taking a screenshot and cropping the image
- Screen recording a story or reel
- Saving an image or video and re-uploading
We‘ll cover the specific steps for reposting feed posts, stories and reels later in this guide.
When you repost another account‘s content, your repost shows up on your profile or feed as if it were your own post, with the original creator credited prominently. As a common courtesy, it‘s best practice to notify the original account and ask permission before reposting their content.
Benefits of Reposting on Instagram
So what are the advantages of reposting content versus creating all original posts? Here are 5 key reasons to weave reposting into your Instagram strategy:
1. Curate high-quality, engaging content
Reposting allows you to hand-select the most relevant, top-performing content from your niche to share with your audience. By curating a feed of the best posts, you provide extra value to your followers while positioning your brand alongside aspirational content.
Example: @lonelyplanet regularly reposts stunning images from professional travel photographers, expertly curating an outstanding gallery of the best travel content on Instagram.
2. Build community and relationships
Reposting content from relevant accounts and hashtags is one of the most effective ways to get noticed on Instagram and form connections. When you feature another user, you‘ll get on their radar, often prompting them to engage with your repost or even follow your account. Reposting stories you‘re tagged in and adding your own perspective establishes your brand as a community hub.
Example: @later encourages their audience to tag their posts with #laterapp for a chance to be featured in Later‘s weekly community roundup blog post and reposts, incentivizing their followers to post about the brand regularly.
3. Fill out your content calendar
Every social media manager knows the pressure of maintaining a regular cadence of fresh posts to feed the never-ending demand of the Instagram algorithm. Reposting is a simple way to fill inevitable gaps and keep your posting schedule consistent without creating entirely new content from scratch every single day. In fact, a good benchmark is to aim for a roughly 70/30 mix of original to reposted content.
Example: @sephora reposts a variety of user-generated product photos, tutorials, and influencer takeovers to supplement their stream of branded campaign posts.
4. Strengthen social proof and credibility
Seeing real people using and recommending your product or service is far more impactful and authentic than generic brand posts from a company account. Reposting glowing customer reviews, compelling user-generated content (UGC) and influencer endorsements provides vital social proof that builds trust and credibility with your audience.
Studies show that 92% of consumers trust user-generated content and word-of-mouth recommendations over brand content, making reposting a powerful persuasion tool (Stackla).
5. Keep up with trends and tap into viral moments
Reposting trending content and hopping on viral challenges is a smart way to expand your account‘s reach and discoverability. By participating in the latest Instagram fads through your reposts, you boost your chance of showing up on the Explore page and gaining new followers looking for that topic.
Reposting Best Practices
To ensure your reposting efforts are successful and well-received, follow these important best practices:
| Do | Don‘t |
|---|---|
| Always credit the original creator prominently by tagging and mentioning them | Repost without proper attribution or permission |
| Ask for reposting permission from the original creator via DM, comment or message | Edit or filter the creator‘s original post without approval |
| Stick to reposting content that is highly relevant to your niche and audience | Overdo it by reposting too frequently (aim for max 30% of content) |
| Add your own unique commentary, take or CTA in your repost caption | Repost the same accounts repeatedly |
| Use a quality reposting app that adds the attribution watermark | Screenshot and crop a post without giving clear credit |
| Encourage your audience to tag you or use your branded hashtag for the chance to be reposted | Forget to thank the original creator for allowing you to repost |
How to Repost on Instagram
Now that you understand the why and etiquette behind reposting, let‘s walk through the how. Here are detailed, step-by-step instructions for reposting Instagram feed posts, stories, reels and videos on both mobile and desktop:
How to Repost an Instagram Post
Option 1: Using a Reposting App
- Download a reposting app like Repost: For Instagram or Repost+ from the App Store or Google Play Store
- Open Instagram and find a post you want to repost
- Tap the paper airplane icon > "Copy Link"
- Open your reposting app and tap to paste the link
- Customize the attribution watermark and write your caption (add your own perspective and credit the original poster)
- Tap repost and select "Feed," then share to your profile
By far the easiest way to repost Instagram posts is by using a dedicated reposting app. I use Repost: For Instagram which automatically adds the proper attribution via a watermark and lets you customize the caption. Other popular options are Regrann, Repost+ and DownloadGram.
Option 2: Taking a Screenshot
This method works for both mobile and desktop:
- Take a screenshot of the post you want to share
- Crop the image in your camera roll to square dimensions
- Open Instagram and compose a new post with the screenshot
- Type an engaging caption crediting and tagging the original poster
- Post to your feed
How to Repost an Instagram Story
To share another account‘s story, you must be tagged in it or have it shared directly to you. Here‘s how to share it:
- Open the Instagram story you‘re tagged in
- Tap "Add This to Your Story" at the bottom
- Customize the story size, positioning and background in the story editor
- Add your own stickers, text, gifs or drawings over the story for additional commentary
- Tag the original creator‘s handle and post to your story
How to Repost an Instagram Reel or Video
- Find a reel or video you want to repost
- Click the paper airplane icon > "Copy Link"
- Use an Instagram reposting app or screen record the video
- If using an app – paste the link, customize the attribution and caption, and post
- If screen recording – trim the video, upload to Instagram and credit the original creator in your caption
10 Examples of Effective Instagram Reposting
Need inspiration for your reposting strategy? Take notes from these 10 brands creatively and effectively reposting on Instagram:
- @Airbnb – Reposts tagged customer photos and stories showcasing unique Airbnb properties and destinations for an aspirational lifestyle feed
- @Hubspot – Shares digestible carousel clips and quotes from their brand podcast to promote new episodes
- @Beautycounter – Regularly features customer reviews, product photo UGC and influencer takeovers
- @GoPro – Shares impressive user-generated videos and photos captured with their cameras, positioning them as a leader in action shots
- @Backcountry – Curates a mix of professional and user-generated outdoor adventure shots, tagging photographers to credit
- @Foundr – Reposts entrepreneurial quote graphics and clips from their interviews with prominent business leaders
- @Bon_Appetit – Reposts recipe videos, follower dish photos and cooking tips from influencers and their test kitchen
- @Teachable – Shares relevant infographics, quotes and tips for course creators from other entrepreneurial accounts
- @NatGeo – Amasses stunning nature photography from award-winning professional photographers
- @Beardbrand – Mixes product-focused UGC with lifestyle reposts from barbershops and beard influencers
Instagram Reposting FAQ
Still have burning questions about reposting on Instagram? I‘ve compiled answers to some of the most common ones I get from clients and followers:
What should I do if someone reposts my content without credit?
If you notice your post has been reposted without tagging you or crediting you in the caption, respectfully reach out to the account via DM or comment letting them know you‘re the original creator. Most of the time it‘s an honest mistake and they will gladly add credit. If they aren‘t responsive, you can file an intellectual property claim with Instagram.
How many times should I repost per week?
Let your reposting frequency follow the natural flow of your industry and the quality of available content to share. In general, aim to keep your feed to around 70% original content and 30% reposted content. For most accounts, reposting 2-3 times per week is plenty to boost engagement without annoying followers.
What if I want to repost a private account?
Instagram only allows you to repost from public accounts. If you want to repost something from a private account, your only option is to reach out to the account owner directly, ask for their permission to repost on your feed, and have them send you the original image or video file to upload.
Do I need to ask for permission every time I want to repost?
Yes, it‘s critical to get permission before reposting anyone‘s photos or videos, even if you‘ve reposted their content before. A simple DM or comment will suffice – just explain what you love about their post and how you plan to repost it on your account with full credit to them. If they say no, respect their decision and don‘t repost.
Should I repost content with or without a filter?
Avoid adding additional filters to content you‘re reposting, as the original creator chose the edit that best represents their style and intention. Repost the image as is after getting permission.
Reposting on Instagram: Key Takeaways
Ultimately, reposting on Instagram is all about becoming an expert curator of outstanding content in your niche. The goal is to seamlessly mix reposted content in with your own brand posts to provide a diverse, high-quality experience for your followers.
Remember – reposting is meant to enhance your content strategy, not replace creation altogether. Prioritize adding your own spin and voice to reposts to build an engaged community.
Use these key takeaways to get started with reposting today:
- Repost a mix of feed posts, stories, reels/videos to maximize engagement
- Always DM to ask for permission before reposting
- Credit original creators clearly by tagging them in the post and mentioning them in your caption
- Add your own unique angle in your repost caption – don‘t just copy and paste
- Stick to relevant content from your niche that your audience will love
- Aim for an ~30/70 reposted to original content ratio
- Use a reposting app to streamline the process
- Encourage your audience to tag you for a chance to be reposted
With a solid reposting strategy in place and consistency, you‘ll be on your way to faster growth and higher engagement in your Instagram community in 2023 and beyond.
