Bigfollow•13. Juni 2025•

The art of sharing on Instagram

You're scrolling through your Instagram feed and suddenly you see it: the perfect post. A funny meme, a breathtaking travel photo, an inspiring quote or an ingenious Instagram Reel with a recipe that you absolutely have to try. Your first impulse? I have to share it! But then the question arises: How do I share a post on instagram? Whether you in my story show, send to a friend via direct message or share on another app like WhatsApp want to forward - the possibilities are manifold.

Sharing content is at the heart of Social Media. It's the way we communicate, network and build communities. A shared post can spark a discussion, sweeten someone's day or simply show: "Hey, I think that's great!"

In this comprehensive guide, we take you by the hand and show you all the ways you can Contributions you can share on Instagram. We explain the basics, give you creative tips for your Instagram Story, clarify important questions about etiquette and copyright and make you an absolute sharing pro.

The paper airplane symbol: Your central tool for sharing

Before we dive into the details of the different methods, let's get to know the most important symbol you need for almost all sharing actions on Instagram: the Paper airplane symbol.

You will find this small icon under every feed post and every reel, right next to the heart (like) and the speech bubble (comment). This icon is your gateway to all sharing options. A tap on it opens a menu that allows you to take all further steps. Remember this paper airplane well, it's your best friend when it comes to sharing great content.

Alex and the viral recipe reel

While scrolling in the morning, Alex discovers a reel with an incredibly tasty-looking pasta recipe. He immediately knows that he wants to use this content in various ways. First, he taps on the paper airplane to Share post in his story and inspire his followers. He then uses the same function to send the reel directly to his best friend Ben, an amateur chef. And finally, so as not to lose the recipe, he copies the link and pastes it into his private notes app. Alex's approach perfectly illustrates the different facets of sharing, which we will now look at in detail.

Method 1: Share an Instagram post in my story (the 'repost')

The most popular way to share a post is the so-called Repost in your own Instagram story. You essentially borrow someone else's content and present it to your own audience for 24 hours. This is a great way to draw attention to interesting profiles, share your opinion on a topic or simply curate content that you like.

Step-by-step guide: How the repost works in the story

1. Find the post: Select the feed post or reel you want to share.
2. Tap the paper airplane: Click on the paper airplane symbol below the post.
3. Select "Post to your story": In the menu that opens, you will see the option to add the post to your story at the top. Tap on it.
4. Edit your story: The post now appears as a sticker in story editing mode. You can enlarge, reduce and move it. A tap on the sticker often also changes the design (e.g. with or without the original caption).
5. Get creative: Add GIFs, text, polls, music or drawings to give the shared post your personal touch.
6. Share: When you are satisfied, tap on "Your story" to publish the post.

Important note: Private vs. public accounts

You can only post from public Share Instagram accounts in your Story. If an account is set to "Private", the option "Post to your Story" is missing. This is an important Instagram privacy setting that you must respect.

Interim conclusion: Sharing in your own story is a simple and effective way to quickly show content to a wide audience. The creative design options allow you to add a personal touch to the shared content.

Method 2: Sending posts and reels via direct message (DM)

Sometimes a post isn't meant for the big stage of your story, but only for a specific person or small group. Maybe you've found a funny dog video that your best friend would love, or an informative post that's relevant to your study group.

Instructions: Send content privately to friends and contacts

1. Tap the paper airplane: Here too, the paper airplane symbol is your starting point.
2. Select a recipient: A list of your contacts with whom you frequently interact is displayed in the menu. You can select one or more recipients.
3. Search for contacts: If the desired contact is not in the list, use the search bar to search for the user name.
4. Add message (optional): You can add a personal message before tapping on "Send".
5. Send: A tap on "Send" sends the post directly to the chat with the selected person. They will receive a notification and can view the post directly in the message.

Method 3: Share Instagram content on other platforms

Instagram is not the only one Social Media Network that you use. You often want to share an interesting post with contacts who may not be active on Instagram, or share it via WhatsAppTelegram, Facebook Messenger or e-mail.

How to share a post directly on external apps

1. Tap the paper airplane.
2. Select the "Share" option: At the bottom of the menu you will see various options such as "Share", "Copy link" or "Share to...".
3. Choose your app: If you tap on "Share", the standard sharing menu of your smartphone will open. Here you can now WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, e-mail or another installed app.
4. Select the contact in the external app: You will be redirected to the selected app where you can select the contact or group with whom you would like to share the link to the Instagram post.

The universal method: Copy the link to the article

This is the most flexible method. A link is a universal key that you can insert anywhere.

• Tap the paper airplane.
• Select "Copy link". The link is copied to your smartphone's clipboard.
• Insert the link: You can now insert this link anywhere - in a WhatsApp-chat, an email, a Facebook post, a blog article or in your notes app to save it for later.

The etiquette of sharing: copyright and respect

Technical knowledge, how to share a post on instagramis only half the battle. It is just as important to respect the unwritten rules and copyright.

Why marking the original Creator is so important

When you share a post in your story, Instagram automatically adds a tag to the original profile. This is a good thing and should never be removed. Someone has invested time and creativity in this content. Tagging them is a form of respect and recognition. It is the currency on Social Media. A correct Repost gives the original creator the recognition (and potentially new followers) they deserve. You can find more information on intellectual property at the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI).

The red line: screenshots of posts and stories

It may be tempting to simply a screenshot of a post or a story and then post it as your own picture. Don't do that!

• Copyright infringement: A screenshot is a copy of the work. Without the author's permission, republication is a copyright infringement.
• Bad style: It deprives the creator of any recognition and interaction. Instagram's internal sharing tools are specially designed to create a connection to the original. Screenshots break this connection.

Always use the built-in sharing functions. They are fair, respectful and legally on the safe side.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Why can't I share a certain Instagram post in my story?

There are two main reasons for this:

1. The account is private: As already mentioned, posts from private accounts cannot be shared publicly for data protection reasons.
2. The user has deactivated sharing: Each user can specify in their settings whether they allow others to share their feed posts in their stories. If this option is deactivated, you will not be able to repost the post.

Will the creator receive a notification when I share their post?

Yes, if you have a contribution in your story the original creator is automatically tagged and receives a notification. They then also have the option of sharing your story (in which their post appears) in their own story. If you send a post via direct message, the creator will not receive a notification.

How can I prevent others from sharing my posts in their story?

Go to "Settings and privacy" → "Sharing and remixes". There you will find the option "Allow sharing of feed posts in stories". If you deactivate this switch, no one can see your Contributions more in his Instagram Story repost.

Conclusion: Sharing is more than just a click

The answer to the question "how to share a post on instagram" is technically simple: the paper airplane symbol is your key to all options. Whether you choose a Post in your story present it, send it privately via DM or use the link for external apps such as WhatsApp copy - it only takes a few clicks.

But true Social Media-Competence goes beyond the technical. It means sharing with respect and appreciation. Use the built-in features, always give creators the credit they deserve and avoid screenshots. This way you contribute to a positive and creative community and use the full potential of Instagram as a social platform.

To share a post on Instagram, tap on the paper airplane icon below the post. Then select "Post to your story" to share it as a repost. Alternatively, you can select Contacts in the same menu to send the post via direct message, or select "Share" or "Copy link" to share it on other apps such as WhatsApp.

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