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Sharing the Reel Deal: A Comprehensive Guide to Cross-Posting Your Instagram Reels to Facebook After They’ve Already Gone Live

So, you’ve unleashed a killer Reel on Instagram. It’s racking up the views, engagement is soaring, and you’re feeling that sweet, sweet validation of internet fame. But wait! You forgot to cross-post it to Facebook. Fear not, my friend. Sharing your Reels to Facebook after posting is absolutely possible, though it requires a slightly different approach than initially posting them simultaneously. Here’s how you do it, step-by-step:

Locate the Reel on Instagram: Open the Instagram app and navigate to your profile. Find the Reel you want to share.
Access the Reel Options: Tap on the three vertical dots (“…”) located at the bottom right corner of the Reel. This opens a menu of options.
Look for the “Share” or “Share to…” Option: Depending on your Instagram version, you’ll see either a direct “Share” option or a “Share to…” option. Tap on it.
Select Facebook: From the list of sharing options, choose “Facebook.”
Compose Your Facebook Post: You’ll be taken to a screen where you can compose a Facebook post to accompany your Reel. You can add a caption, tag friends, and choose your audience.
Post to Facebook: Once you’re happy with your post, tap the “Share” or “Post” button at the top right corner of the screen. Your Reel will now be shared on Facebook!

Important Considerations:

Public Profile Settings: Your Instagram profile needs to be public, or your Facebook privacy settings need to allow your friends to see content shared from Instagram for the Reel to be viewable. If your Instagram is private, only your Instagram followers (who also happen to be your Facebook friends) will see the Reel.
Link Back to Instagram: When you share a Reel to Facebook after posting, it will typically include a link back to the original Reel on Instagram. This encourages Facebook users to follow you on Instagram as well.
Audio Considerations: If your Reel uses copyrighted music, Facebook might mute the audio or prompt you to change it before posting. Always be mindful of copyright restrictions.
Facebook Business Suite: If you manage a Facebook Page, you can use the Facebook Business Suite to schedule and manage your Reels across both platforms. While not directly “sharing” after posting to Instagram, it’s a powerful tool for cross-platform content management.
Download and Re-upload: As a last resort, if the direct sharing method isn’t working, you can download the Reel from Instagram (if you have allowed downloads for Reels) and then manually upload it to Facebook. This gives you the most control over the Facebook post but means you will have to forgo the ease of cross linking the content from each platform.

Unveiling the Mysteries: Frequently Asked Questions About Sharing Reels to Facebook

Here are some of the most common questions surrounding sharing Reels on Facebook, answered with a touch of expertise and a dash of insider knowledge:

Why Can’t I See the “Share to Facebook” Option?

Several reasons could be at play here:

App Version: Make sure you’re running the latest version of both Instagram and Facebook. Outdated versions often lack the most recent features.
Account Linking: Ensure your Instagram and Facebook accounts are properly linked. Go to your Instagram settings, then “Account,” and then “Sharing to Other Apps” to verify the connection.
Privacy Settings: Double-check your Instagram privacy settings. If your account is set to private, the “Share to Facebook” option might be limited.
Technical Glitch: Sometimes, it’s just a temporary glitch. Try restarting the app or your device.
Region Restriction: In rare cases, certain features may be restricted based on your geographic location.

Does Sharing a Reel to Facebook Count as a Separate Post?

Yes, it does. While the content is the same, sharing a Reel to Facebook creates a separate post on your Facebook timeline or Page. It will have its own engagement metrics (likes, comments, shares) independent of the Instagram Reel.

Can I Share a Reel to a Facebook Group?

Yes, you can! After tapping the “Share” option on the Reel, look for the option to “Share to a Group.” This will allow you to select the Facebook Group you want to share the Reel to. The group will need to have granted you permissions to post, however.

What Happens if I Delete the Reel on Instagram After Sharing it to Facebook?

Deleting the Reel on Instagram will not automatically delete it from Facebook. The Facebook post will remain live. Think of it as two separate entities once they’ve been shared. If you want to remove the Reel from Facebook, you’ll need to delete the post directly on Facebook.

Will the Comments and Likes Be Synced Between Instagram and Facebook?

No, the comments and likes are not synced. Each platform tracks engagement separately. Comments and likes on the Instagram Reel will stay on Instagram, and comments and likes on the Facebook post will stay on Facebook.

Can I Edit the Reel After Sharing it to Facebook?

Editing the Reel on Instagram will not update the version shared on Facebook. Once a Reel is shared, it exists as a standalone copy on Facebook. If you need to make changes, you’ll have to download the edited Reel from Instagram and re-upload it to Facebook as a new post.

Is it Better to Share Reels to Facebook Immediately or Later?

That depends on your strategy. Sharing immediately ensures your content is visible on both platforms simultaneously, maximizing initial reach. However, sharing later can help you repurpose content and reach a different audience who may have missed it initially. The best approach is to experiment and see what works best for your audience.

What’s the Best Way to Optimize a Reel for Both Instagram and Facebook?

While the core content can be the same, consider these optimizations:

Captions: Tailor your caption to each platform. Use different hashtags and calls to action that resonate with the specific audience.
Aspect Ratio: Facebook Reels prefer a 9:16 aspect ratio, just like Instagram Reels.
Thumbnail: Choose a visually appealing thumbnail that captures attention on both platforms. Facebook allows you to select a custom thumbnail.
Length: While both platforms support Reels up to 90 seconds, consider shorter, punchier content for Facebook, as users tend to have shorter attention spans.

Will Sharing Reels to Facebook Increase My Instagram Reach?

Indirectly, yes. By sharing your Reels to Facebook, you’re increasing brand awareness and potentially driving traffic back to your Instagram profile. If Facebook users enjoy your Reels, they’re more likely to follow you on Instagram.

How Do I Know if My Facebook Friends Saw My Reel?

Facebook insights will provide data on how many people viewed your Reel. You can also see who liked, commented, and shared the post. However, Facebook doesn’t specifically break down the data by “friends.”

Is it Possible to Automate Sharing Reels to Facebook?

While there isn’t a native feature to fully automate the process after the fact, you can use third-party social media management tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, or Later to schedule and cross-post Reels to both Instagram and Facebook. These tools allow you to plan your content in advance and ensure consistency across platforms. Although you will need to plan ahead.

What if I’m Having Trouble Sharing My Reel to Facebook Because of Music Copyright?

If your Reel contains copyrighted music, Facebook might block the post or mute the audio. To avoid this:

Use Royalty-Free Music: Opt for music from royalty-free libraries.
Use Original Audio: Create your own audio content, such as voiceovers or original music.
Select Music from Facebook’s Sound Collection: Facebook has its own sound collection that you can use without copyright concerns.
Comply with Copyright Regulations: Ensure you have the necessary licenses or permissions to use copyrighted music.

By following these tips and understanding the nuances of sharing Reels to Facebook after posting, you can maximize your content’s reach and engage with a wider audience. So go forth and share that Reel magic!