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How to Share a Video on an Instagram Story: The Definitive Guide

Sharing videos on Instagram Stories is a surefire way to connect with your audience, boost engagement, and express yourself in a dynamic, visual manner. To share a video on your Instagram Story, you can either record directly within the Instagram app, upload a pre-recorded video from your phone’s gallery, or reshare content from other accounts (with permission, of course!). Let’s dive deeper into each method and unlock the secrets to creating captivating Instagram Stories.

Recording a Video Directly on Instagram Story

This is the most spontaneous and immediate way to share your moments. Think of it as your personal, unedited broadcast channel.

Step-by-Step Guide to Recording a Video

Open Instagram: Launch the Instagram app on your smartphone.
Access the Story Camera: Swipe right from the Instagram feed or tap the “+” icon at the bottom and select “Story.” This opens the story camera.
Select the Video Option: By default, the camera usually opens in photo mode. Swipe left along the bottom options (Normal, Create, Boomerang, etc.) until you land on “Video.” Or, press and hold the white circle shutter button to begin recording.
Record Your Video: Press and hold the white circle button at the bottom of the screen. The video will record as long as you hold the button. Release to stop recording. Keep in mind that Instagram Stories typically limit each segment to 60 seconds.
Add Creative Elements: Once you’ve recorded your video, the fun begins! Instagram offers a plethora of creative tools:
- Text: Tap the “Aa” icon to add text overlays. Choose your font, color, and placement.
- Stickers: Tap the square icon with a smiley face to access a wide range of stickers. These include polls, questions, location tags, mentions, GIFs, and much more.
- Filters: Swipe left or right on the screen to apply various filters that alter the appearance of your video.
- Drawing Tools: Tap the squiggle line icon to access drawing tools. Use these to doodle, highlight, or add hand-drawn elements to your video.
Adjust the Video: You can trim the video, change its volume, or even add music. Tap on the video segment to access these controls.
Choose Your Audience: Before posting, you can choose who sees your story. You can share it with:
- Your Followers: Everyone who follows your account will see your story.
- Close Friends: Create a “Close Friends” list and share your story only with them.
- Specific Individuals: Send your story directly to specific users via Instagram Direct.
Post Your Story: Tap the “Your Story” button to share it with your followers or the “Close Friends” button to share it with your chosen group.

Uploading a Pre-Recorded Video

This method is perfect for sharing polished content or longer videos that you’ve edited beforehand.

Steps to Uploading a Video

Access the Story Camera: Follow steps 1 and 2 above to open the story camera.
Access Your Photo/Video Library: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen or tap the small square icon in the bottom-left corner. This will open your phone’s gallery.
Select Your Video: Browse through your gallery and select the video you want to share.
Edit and Customize: Just like with recorded videos, you can add text, stickers, filters, and drawings to your uploaded video.
Trim the Video (If Needed): If your video exceeds the 60-second limit, Instagram will automatically split it into multiple segments. You can adjust the starting and ending points of each segment by dragging the sliders at the bottom of the screen.
Choose Your Audience and Post: Follow steps 7 and 8 from the “Recording a Video” section to choose your audience and post your story.

Resharing Videos from Other Accounts

This can boost visibility and collaboration.

Resharing Videos

Find the Video: Locate the video you want to share. This could be a post from another account, a Reel, or a video you were tagged in.
Share to Story:
- From a Post: Tap the paper airplane icon (Direct message) below the post. Select “Add post to your story.”
- From a Reel: Tap the three dots at the bottom of the Reel. Select “Share to…” and then choose “Story.”
- If Tagged in a Story: When someone tags you in their story, you’ll receive a notification in your Direct messages. Tap the “Add to your story” button to reshare it.
Customize Your Story: Add text, stickers, filters, or drawings to personalize the reshared video. It’s good etiquette to give credit to the original creator.
Post Your Story: Choose your audience and post.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to further refine your Instagram Story video skills.

1. What is the ideal video length for Instagram Stories?

Instagram Stories videos have a time limit of 60 seconds per segment. If your video is longer, Instagram will automatically split it into multiple segments. You can upload videos up to 15 minutes long, but they will be broken into these 60-second chunks.

2. What are the recommended video dimensions for Instagram Stories?

The ideal video dimensions for Instagram Stories are 1080 pixels wide by 1920 pixels tall (a 9:16 aspect ratio). This ensures your video fills the entire screen and looks crisp on most devices.

3. How can I add music to my Instagram Story video?

Tap the sticker icon and select the “Music” sticker. Search for a song from Instagram’s music library and choose the section you want to use. You can adjust the music volume and display lyrics (if available) on the screen.

4. How do I use the Boomerang feature?

In the story camera, swipe left along the bottom options until you reach “Boomerang.” Tap the white circle button to record a short burst of images that loop back and forth, creating a fun, dynamic effect.

5. Can I add a link to my Instagram Story video?

Yes, if you have a verified account or a business account with at least 10,000 followers, you can add a link using the “Link” sticker. Simply tap the sticker icon, select the “Link” sticker, and paste your desired URL.

6. How do I use the poll sticker in my Instagram Story video?

Tap the sticker icon and select the “Poll” sticker. Type your question and customize the poll options (usually “Yes” and “No”). Your followers can then vote on your poll, and you can see the results in real-time.

7. How can I save my Instagram Story video to my camera roll?

Before posting your story, tap the three dots at the bottom-right corner of the screen and select “Save.” This will save the current story segment to your phone’s camera roll. You can also save your entire story archive in your Instagram settings.

8. What is the best video format for Instagram Stories?

Instagram Stories support the MP4 and MOV video formats. These formats are widely compatible and offer good video quality.

9. How can I improve the video quality of my Instagram Stories?

Record in good lighting: Ensure you have adequate lighting when recording your video.
Use a stable surface: Avoid shaky videos by using a tripod or resting your phone on a stable surface.
Record in high resolution: If possible, record your video in 1080p resolution or higher.
Check your internet connection: A strong internet connection is essential for uploading high-quality videos to Instagram.
Instagram Compression: Be aware that Instagram compresses videos to optimize them for mobile viewing, which can sometimes affect quality.

10. How do I create a “Close Friends” list?

Go to your Instagram profile, tap the three lines in the top-right corner, and select “Close Friends.” Add the people you want to include in your list. When posting a story, you can then choose to share it only with your “Close Friends.”

11. Can I hide my Instagram Story from specific people?

Yes, you can hide your story from specific users. Go to your Instagram settings, tap “Privacy,” then “Story,” and select “Hide Story From.” Choose the people you want to exclude from seeing your stories.

12. How do I see who viewed my Instagram Story video?

While your story is active (for 24 hours), tap on your profile picture to view it. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see a list of everyone who has viewed your story and individual segments.

Mastering these techniques will empower you to create engaging and effective Instagram Stories that resonate with your audience, drive traffic, and build a strong online presence. Get creative, experiment with different features, and most importantly, have fun!