Table of Contents

How to Repost Longer Stories on Instagram: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’ve stumbled upon a captivating, lengthy story on Instagram and want to share its brilliance with your own followers, but the platform’s pesky time limits are throwing a wrench in your plans? Fear not, intrepid storyteller! Reposting longer stories on Instagram is indeed possible, albeit requiring a touch of strategic finesse. The key lies in breaking down the original story into digestible, Instagram-friendly segments and then stringing them together seamlessly in your own story. This usually involves using screen recording and potentially video editing tools. Let’s delve into the how-to.

Breaking Down the Challenge: The Instagram Story Time Limit

Before we dive into the solutions, it’s crucial to understand the obstacle. Instagram stories are capped at 15 seconds per segment. Anything longer gets automatically chopped up into successive clips. This limitation presents a challenge when trying to reshare a story that already exceeds that timeframe, or if the original creator used third-party apps to create a combined longer story.

Method 1: Screen Recording and Segmenting Manually

This is the most common and readily available method, requiring no additional app downloads if you’re comfortable with basic video editing on your phone.

Step 1: Record the Original Story

Open the Instagram story you want to repost. Begin screen recording before the story starts and continue until the end of the story. This ensures you capture the whole thing. On iPhones, you can usually access the screen recording feature from the Control Center. On Android, look for it in your Quick Settings menu.

Step 2: Trim and Segment the Recording

Once you have the full recording, you’ll need to edit it into 15-second segments. Many smartphones have built-in video editing tools. If not, you can download free editing apps like iMovie (iOS) or YouCut (Android). Trim each section carefully to ensure a smooth transition between clips. Pay attention to audio cues and visual elements to maintain a coherent flow.

Step 3: Upload to Your Story

Now, upload each 15-second segment as individual stories in the correct order. To do this, tap the “+” icon at the bottom of the Instagram app, select “Story,” and then select each clip one by one.

Step 4: Add Context (Optional)

While the video segments are crucial, adding context is what truly elevates your repost. Add a caption explaining why you’re sharing the story, tag the original creator (essential!), and use relevant hashtags. This helps your followers understand the relevance of the reposted content.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Apps for Download and Repost

Several third-party apps promise to streamline the process of reposting Instagram stories, including those exceeding the 15-second limit. These apps often allow you to download the entire story and then repost it either in segments or as a single, concatenated video (though the latter might not be ideal due to resolution degradation or incompatibility).

Important Considerations When Using Third-Party Apps

Security and Privacy: Exercise extreme caution when using third-party apps. Some might request access to your Instagram account, potentially compromising your security. Research app reviews thoroughly and choose reputable options.
Terms of Service: Always adhere to Instagram’s Terms of Service. Reposting content without proper credit or permission can lead to account penalties.
App-Specific Instructions: The exact steps for downloading and reposting will vary depending on the app you choose. Always follow the app’s specific instructions.

Examples of Apps (Use with Caution & Research)

Story Saver: Allows you to download stories directly to your device.
Repost for Instagram: Helps you repost photos and videos while giving credit to the original poster.

Disclaimer: I am not endorsing any specific third-party application. This information is provided for informational purposes only. Always do your research and understand the risks involved before using any third-party software.

Method 3: Collaborate Directly with the Original Creator

This is arguably the most ethical and potentially easiest way to reshare a longer story, especially if you have a close relationship with the creator.

Request Permission and Original Files

Reach out to the person who posted the story and ask for their permission to reshare it. If they agree, ask if they can send you the original video files or the full concatenated video (if they used editing software to create it).

Upload and Credit

Once you have the files, you can upload them to your story, either as segmented clips or as a longer video (keeping in mind Instagram’s limits). Always give proper credit to the original creator by tagging them prominently.

Benefits of Direct Collaboration

Higher Quality: You’re working with the original files, resulting in better visual quality.
Ethical Considerations: You have explicit permission to share the content.
Potential for Engagement: Collaborating with another creator can lead to increased exposure for both of you.

Method 4: Instagram’s Native “Add to Story” Feature (When Applicable)

Sometimes, if a public account mentions you in their story, Instagram provides a native option to “Add to Story” directly. This allows you to reshare the story to your own account with a simple tap.

Limitations

This method only works if the original account mentions you and has a public profile. You also can’t edit the story before resharing it using this method. However, it is the easiest and safest way to reshare a story that mentions you. This will also divide the longer video into 15-second clips.

General Tips for Reposting Stories Effectively

Credit the Original Creator: This is non-negotiable. Always tag the original creator in your story to give them proper credit.
Add Value: Don’t just blindly repost content. Add your own commentary, context, or perspective to make it more engaging for your followers.
Maintain Quality: Ensure the reposted content is clear, visually appealing, and relevant to your audience. Low-quality content can negatively impact your brand.
Be Mindful of Copyright: Avoid reposting content that might infringe on copyright laws.
Check Privacy Settings: The original story must be from a public account or an account that follows you for you to see it and potentially reshare it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I repost private accounts’ stories?

No, you cannot repost stories from private accounts unless they follow you and you are mentioned in their story, and they allow you to reshare it.

2. What’s the best video editing app for segmenting stories?

Popular choices include iMovie (iOS), YouCut (Android), and CapCut (cross-platform). All are beginner-friendly and offer the necessary trimming features.

3. How do I tag someone in a reposted story?

Use the “@” symbol followed by their username in the text box within your story editor.

4. Is it legal to repost someone’s story without permission?

It’s generally considered unethical and potentially a violation of copyright if you don’t give credit. Always ask for permission when possible, especially for commercial purposes.

5. How can I improve the quality of a reposted story?

Start with the highest quality source material possible. Avoid excessive zooming or resizing, which can distort the image. Ensure that the resolution of the original story is reasonably high, so that recording it still allows for a good quality post.

6. What if the screen recording is blurry?

Ensure your screen recording settings are set to the highest resolution available. Clean your phone’s screen to avoid smudges.

7. Can I repost stories directly from my computer?

While you can view Instagram stories on a computer, the reposting functionality is primarily designed for mobile devices.

8. How do I add music to a reposted story?

You can add music using Instagram’s built-in music library in the story editor. However, ensure you have the rights to use the music if it’s not from Instagram’s library.

9. How do I avoid copyright issues when reposting?

Only repost content from creators who are happy for you to share it. Avoid reposting content that features copyrighted material without permission.

10. What should I do if someone asks me to take down a reposted story?

Respect their request immediately and remove the story. Apologize for any inconvenience.

11. Will Instagram notify the original poster that I reposted their story?

Only if you mention them directly using the “@” symbol. A simple screen recording repost will not notify the original poster.

12. Is there a limit to how many stories I can repost in a day?

While there’s no published limit from Instagram, reposting excessively can be perceived as spammy and may negatively affect your engagement. Focus on quality over quantity.

By following these methods and tips, you can effectively repost longer stories on Instagram and share captivating content with your audience while maintaining ethical practices and respecting creators. Remember to prioritize quality, credit the original sources, and add your unique perspective to create truly engaging stories.