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How to Share Someone’s Reels on an Instagram Story: The Definitive Guide

Sharing a Reel from someone else on your Instagram Story is a fantastic way to highlight engaging content, support creators, and spice up your own Story. The process is straightforward, but a few nuances determine whether you can successfully share that awesome Reel. Here’s the direct answer: To share someone’s Reel on your Instagram Story, tap the direct message icon (paper airplane) at the bottom of the Reel, then select “Add Reel to your Story.” If you don’t see this option, the creator has disabled sharing.

Diving Deeper: Making Reel Sharing a Breeze

While the above answer provides the core steps, understanding the subtle aspects of sharing Reels ensures you navigate the process smoothly and maximize its impact.

Step-by-Step Breakdown: Sharing a Reel to Your Story

Let’s break down the process into manageable steps:

Find the Reel You Want to Share: Scroll through your feed, explore the Reels tab, or visit the profile of the creator whose Reel you admire.
Locate the Share Icon: Look for the paper airplane icon (direct message icon) located at the bottom of the Reel, typically alongside the like, comment, and share buttons.
Tap “Add Reel to Your Story”: Once you tap the share icon, a menu will appear. Select the option that reads “Add Reel to your Story.” This action will automatically transfer the Reel into your Story creation interface.
Customize Your Story (Optional): Now, the Reel appears within your Story draft. Here’s where you can unleash your creativity!
- Resize and Reposition: Use pinch and zoom gestures to adjust the Reel’s size and placement within your Story frame.
- Add Text: Write captions, tag the creator, or add commentary using the text tool.
- Include Stickers: Enhance your Story with relevant stickers, polls, questions, or GIFs.
- Draw and Highlight: Use the drawing tools to add visual emphasis or annotations.
- Apply Filters: Change the overall aesthetic with various filters.
Post Your Story: Once you’re satisfied with your Story’s appearance, tap the “Your Story” button (or choose to send it to a specific close friends list) to publish it.

Why Can’t I Share a Reel? Decoding the Restrictions

Sometimes, you might encounter a situation where the “Add Reel to Your Story” option is missing. Several factors could be at play:

Creator Privacy Settings: The creator might have disabled the option for others to share their Reels. This is a privacy setting they control to maintain control over their content’s distribution.
Private Account: If the creator has a private account, you can only share their Reels if you are a follower approved by them.
Instagram Glitches: Although rare, temporary glitches can sometimes interfere with sharing functionality. Restarting the app or your device often resolves this.
Outdated App Version: Ensure you’re running the latest version of the Instagram app. Older versions might lack certain features or have bugs.

Pro Tips for Sharing Reels Effectively

Sharing Reels strategically can boost engagement and create a more compelling Story presence:

Add Context: Don’t just share a Reel blindly. Explain why you found it interesting, funny, or informative. This adds value for your followers.
Tag the Creator: Always tag the original creator in your Story to give them credit and drive traffic to their profile. Use the “@” symbol followed by their username.
Use Polls and Questions: Spark conversations by adding polls or question stickers related to the Reel’s content.
Curate Your Content: Don’t overload your Story with too many shared Reels. Choose content that aligns with your brand and audience’s interests.
Time Your Shares: Consider when your audience is most active to maximize the visibility of your Story.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to provide further clarification and insights:

1. Will the Original Creator Know I Shared Their Reel?

Yes, the original creator receives a notification when you add their Reel to your Story. This helps them track the reach of their content and appreciate your support.

2. Can I Share a Reel to a Specific Friend Instead of My Story?

Absolutely! When you tap the share icon, you can send the Reel directly to individual friends or groups through direct messages. This is a great way to share content privately.

3. Does Sharing a Reel Count as Reposting?

Sharing a Reel to your Story is similar to a repost, but it’s not a permanent addition to your profile like a regular post. It disappears after 24 hours (unless you add it to your Story Highlights).

4. Can I Share a Reel from a Business Account?

Yes, you can share Reels from both personal and business accounts, as long as the creator hasn’t disabled sharing.

5. What Happens if the Creator Deletes the Original Reel After I Share It?

If the creator deletes the original Reel, it will also disappear from your Story, even if it’s still within the 24-hour window.

6. Can I Share a Reel that I’ve Already Shared Before?

Yes, you can share the same Reel to your Story multiple times. However, be mindful of your audience and avoid spamming them with repetitive content.

7. Is There a Limit to How Many Reels I Can Share in a Day?

Instagram doesn’t impose a strict limit on the number of Reels you can share to your Story. However, it’s wise to maintain a balance and avoid overwhelming your followers.

8. Can I Share a Reel to My Story Highlights?

Yes, after you share a Reel to your Story, you can add it to your Story Highlights. This allows the Reel to remain visible on your profile for longer than 24 hours.

9. Why Does the Reel Appear Cropped in My Story?

Instagram automatically adjusts the Reel’s dimensions to fit the Story format. You can resize and reposition the Reel within the Story frame to optimize its appearance. Sometimes, this is unavoidable due to the nature of the aspect ratio.

10. Can I Share a Reel If I’m Not Following the Creator?

Yes, you can share a Reel even if you’re not following the creator, unless their account is private and you aren’t an approved follower.

11. What’s the Difference Between Sharing to My Story and Sharing to Reels?

Sharing to your Story adds the Reel to your ephemeral Story content, visible for 24 hours. Sharing to Reels allows you to create a new Reel using the original Reel as a template, remixing it or adding your own spin.

12. How Do I Know If a Creator Has Disabled Sharing for Their Reels?

The easiest way to tell is that the “Add Reel to Your Story” option will simply be missing from the share menu. There’s no specific notification or indicator besides the absence of the button.