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How to Send a Full Reel to Your Instagram Story: A Comprehensive Guide

You want to share that killer reel with your Instagram followers directly on your story, the whole reel. Not just a snippet. Here’s how: Simply tap the paper airplane icon (Direct Message icon) below the reel. Then, select “Add reel to your story.” Boom. Instagram automatically prepares the full reel for sharing, allowing you to add text, stickers, and more before posting.

Sharing Reels on Your Story: The Nitty-Gritty

So, the short answer above is the core action. However, the digital landscape of Instagram can be fickle. There are variations, potential roadblocks, and tricks to optimize the process. Let’s dive deep, shall we?

The Direct Method: “Add Reel to Your Story”

This is the most straightforward and reliable method:

Find the Reel: Locate the reel you want to share, whether it’s yours or someone else’s (if their account is public, of course).
Tap the Paper Airplane: This icon resides at the bottom of the reel, directly beneath the comment and like icons. It’s the universal symbol for “share.”
Select “Add Reel to Your Story”: A menu will pop up. Choose this option. Instagram then loads the reel into the story editor, complete with the original audio and visuals.
Customize (Optional): This is where you add your personal touch. You can include text, stickers, GIFs, polls, and even draw on the reel. Think of it as adding your creative spin!
Post! Tap the “Your Story” button at the bottom left. Your reel will be added to your active story. If you have multiple close friends lists you can select which list of friends you’d like to share to.

Dealing with Private Accounts and Permissions

Sharing gets trickier when dealing with private accounts. If the reel you want to share is from a private account, and you don’t follow them, you won’t be able to share it directly to your story. The “Add Reel to Your Story” option will be absent. This is a core privacy feature of Instagram.

Follow Request: You can send a follow request. If accepted, you’ll gain access to share their public content, including reels, to your story.
Screenshots and Screen Recordings (Use Sparingly): This is a workaround, not a solution. You can screenshot a still image from the reel or screen record a portion of it (make sure to check and respect copyright rules). However, quality will be significantly degraded, and it won’t include the original audio. I advise against this method unless absolutely necessary.

The Reel’s Length and Story Limitations

Instagram Stories have a time limit. Previously this was a major pain, but now, Instagram has largely resolved this issue. Reels up to 90 seconds are now automatically split into seamless story segments if needed. This means you no longer have to manually chop up longer reels.

Longer Reels: While Instagram handles the splitting, keep in mind the user experience. Very long reels may lose engagement as viewers have to tap through numerous story segments. Consider trimming the reel to highlight the best parts before posting it.
Preview vs. Full Reel: Many people prefer using the ‘Add Reel to Your Story’ feature to add a little preview of a reel so that viewers can see a glimpse of the reel, and click through to watch the entire reel.

Optimizing Your Shared Reel’s Visibility

Just slapping a reel on your story isn’t enough. Here’s how to maximize visibility and engagement:

Strategic Use of Stickers and Text: Use stickers to draw attention to key elements. Add text to provide context or ask a question, encouraging engagement.
Location Tags: If the reel relates to a specific location, add a location tag. This increases the chance of your story appearing in location-based searches.
Hashtags (Use Sparingly): While stories aren’t as hashtag-driven as regular posts, relevant hashtags can still improve discoverability. Don’t overdo it; one or two targeted hashtags are enough.
Engage with Replies: When people reply to your story, respond! This builds connection and encourages further interaction.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Missing “Add Reel to Your Story” Option: Check the account’s privacy settings. If the account is private, you won’t be able to share the reel unless you follow them. Also, some business accounts might disable the ability to share their reels.
Audio Issues: Ensure the original reel has audio. If the reel author muted the audio, it won’t be included when you share it to your story. Also, check your device’s volume settings.
Low-Quality Output: Ensure you have a stable internet connection. A poor connection can result in lower-quality uploads.
Instagram Glitches: Sometimes, Instagram just glitches. Try closing and reopening the app, or restarting your device. If the problem persists, check the Instagram Help Center or report the issue to Instagram support.

Beyond the Basics: Creative Story Sharing

Create Teasers: Share snippets of upcoming reels in your story to build anticipation.
Run Polls: Ask your followers if they liked the reel, or what their favorite part was.
Behind-the-Scenes Content: Share behind-the-scenes content related to your reels on your story. This gives your audience a glimpse into your creative process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I share someone else’s reel to my story if they have a private account?

No, unless you follow them and they have approved your follow request. Instagram prioritizes user privacy. Reels from private accounts are generally not shareable to stories by non-followers.

2. How long can a reel be to share it on my story?

Instagram automatically splits reels longer than 60 seconds into segments for your story. Keep in mind that viewer attentiveness might decrease with very long reels, so curate accordingly.

3. Why can’t I see the “Add Reel to Your Story” option?

This is usually due to the account’s privacy settings (private account) or, in rare cases, a glitch with the Instagram app itself. Try restarting the app or your device. In addition, the content creator can disable resharing for their content.

4. Will the audio from the reel be included when I share it to my story?

Yes, the original audio will be included, provided the reel itself has audio and the account holder has not disabled the option to allow others to share their music. Always respect copyright rules when using copyrighted music.

5. Can I add text, stickers, or other effects to the reel before sharing it on my story?

Absolutely! Instagram’s story editor allows you to customize the reel with text, stickers, GIFs, polls, and drawings.

6. Does sharing a reel to my story impact the original reel’s views or engagement?

Yes, sharing a reel to your story can indirectly increase the original reel’s views and engagement. When people tap on the reel in your story, they are taken to the original reel, potentially increasing its visibility.

7. Is there a limit to how many reels I can share on my story per day?

There is no explicitly stated limit. However, bombarding your followers with too many stories can lead to decreased engagement. Quality over quantity!

8. Can I share a reel to my story on desktop?

No, the option to share reels to your story is currently limited to the Instagram mobile app.

9. What happens if the original reel is deleted after I share it to my story?

If the original reel is deleted, it will also disappear from your story. Your story essentially links to the original content.

10. How can I make my shared reels more engaging on my story?

Use interactive stickers like polls or quizzes, add relevant text, and use hashtags strategically. Also, engage with replies to your story to build community.

11. Will sharing a reel from a business account to my story show that it is an ad?

No, simply sharing a reel from a business account to your story doesn’t automatically label it as an ad. However, if you’re promoting a product or service and have a business relationship with the account, transparency is key. Consider using the “Paid Partnership” tag to disclose the relationship.

12. Can I schedule when a reel is shared to my story?

While Instagram itself doesn’t offer native story scheduling, you can use third-party social media management tools to schedule story posts, including reels. Always choose reputable and secure tools.