Sharing videos on Instagram has become a popular way to connect with friends, family, and followers. Whether you're posting a funny clip, a travel memory, or showcasing your creative talents, knowing how to share videos properly can help you get the most engagement. This guide will walk you through every method of sharing videos on Instagram, from basic posting to advanced features.

Sharing Videos to Your Instagram Feed

The Instagram feed is where your permanent posts live. Videos shared here appear on your profile grid and in your followers' main feeds. Let's go through the steps to post a video to your Instagram feed:

Step-by-Step Guide to Post Videos to Your Feed

1. Open the Instagram app on your phone
2. Tap the "+" icon at the bottom center of the screen or swipe up from the home screen
3. Select "Post" from the options that appear
4. Choose a video from your gallery or tap "Camera" to record a new one
5. Tap "Next" in the top right corner
6. Apply filters or edit your video if desired
7. Tap "Next" again
8. Write a caption, add location, tag people, and adjust advanced settings
9. Tap "Share" to post your video

Video Requirements for Instagram Feed Posts

Before uploading, make sure your video meets Instagram's requirements:

Requirement	Specification
Maximum Duration	Up to 60 seconds for regular posts
File Formats	MP4, MOV
Aspect Ratio	Between 1.91:1 and 4:5
Maximum File Size	Approximately 4GB
Resolution	At least 1080 pixels wide

Editing Your Video Before Posting

Instagram offers several editing tools to enhance your videos:

• Trim: Cut your video to the desired length
• Cover: Select the thumbnail that appears on your profile
• Filters: Apply visual effects to change the look and feel
• Adjust: Modify brightness, contrast, and other visual elements

Take advantage of these tools to make your video more appealing and increase engagement with your followers.

Sharing Videos to Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are temporary posts that disappear after 24 hours. They're perfect for quick updates, behind-the-scenes content, or time-sensitive announcements.

How to Share a Video to Your Story

1. Open Instagram and swipe right from the home feed or tap your profile picture with the "+" sign
2. Select "Story" at the bottom of the screen
3. Tap the gallery icon in the bottom left to upload an existing video or record directly in the app
4. Edit your video with text, stickers, drawings, or effects
5. Tap "Your Story" in the bottom left to share

Creative Tools for Instagram Story Videos

Instagram offers numerous tools to make your Story videos more engaging:

• Text: Add captions or comments in various fonts and colors
• Stickers: Include polls, questions, location tags, mentions, and more
• Drawing tools: Highlight or annotate parts of your video
• Effects: Apply AR filters to transform your video
• Music: Add songs from Instagram's music library

Story Video Requirements

Requirement	Specification
Maximum Duration	15 seconds per segment (longer videos are split automatically)
Aspect Ratio	9:16 (vertical) is recommended
File Formats	MP4, MOV

Creating and Sharing Instagram Reels

Reels are Instagram's answer to short-form video content. They can be up to 90 seconds long and appear in the dedicated Reels tab, making them perfect for reaching new audiences.

Steps to Create and Share a Reel

1. Open Instagram and tap the "+" icon
2. Select "Reel" from the options at the bottom
3. Either record a new video by holding the record button or tap the gallery icon to upload existing footage
4. Use creative tools like audio, effects, and text to enhance your Reel
5. Tap "Next" when finished
6. Write a caption, add hashtags, and choose a cover image
7. Select where to share (Feed, Stories, or both)
8. Tap "Share" to publish your Reel

Features Unique to Reels

• Audio: Use popular songs or original audio
• Speed: Adjust the speed of your video (.3x, .5x, 1x, 2x, 3x)
• Timer and Countdown: Set a timer to record hands-free
• Align: Line up objects from previous clip for smooth transitions
• Trending effects: Access popular AR effects

Tips for Creating Engaging Reels

• Keep your content concise and attention-grabbing
• Use trending audio to increase discoverability
• Include relevant hashtags to reach your target audience
• Create original, authentic content that showcases your personality
• Post consistently to build an audience

Sharing Videos Through Instagram Direct Messages

Direct Messages (DMs) allow you to share videos privately with individuals or groups.

How to Send Videos in DMs

1. Open Instagram and tap the paper airplane icon in the top right
2. Select an existing conversation or tap the "+" icon to start a new one
3. Tap the "+" icon next to the message field
4. Select "Gallery" to choose a video from your phone
5. Select your video and tap "Send"

Sending Existing Instagram Videos via DM

You can also share posts, Reels, or Stories you see on Instagram:

1. Find the video you want to share
2. Tap the paper airplane icon below the post (or tap the three dots for Reels)
3. Select the recipient(s) from your list of followers
4. Add an optional message
5. Tap "Send"

Sharing IGTV Videos (Now Instagram Video)

Instagram has merged IGTV with regular feed videos into what's now called Instagram Video. These longer-form videos allow for more in-depth content.

Steps to Share Longer Videos

1. Tap the "+" icon and select "Post"
2. Choose a video longer than 60 seconds from your gallery
3. Tap "Next"
4. Edit your video, add a cover image, and write a title and description
5. Tap "Share" to post

Instagram Video Requirements

Requirement	Specification
Maximum Duration	Up to 60 minutes
File Size	Up to 4GB
Aspect Ratio	Vertical (9:16) or horizontal (16:9)
File Format	MP4

Cross-Posting Videos from Other Platforms

You can share videos created on other platforms to Instagram with a few simple steps.

Sharing TikTok Videos to Instagram

1. Create and save your TikTok video without the watermark (use a third-party app if needed)
2. Open Instagram and follow the steps to post to Feed, Stories, or Reels
3. Select the saved TikTok video from your gallery
4. Edit as needed and share

Sharing YouTube Videos to Instagram

Since you can't directly share YouTube links on Instagram, you'll need to:

1. Download the YouTube video (if it's yours) or create a clip
2. Trim it to fit Instagram's requirements
3. Upload it following the standard posting steps
4. Reference the original YouTube video in your caption

Sharing Videos from Desktop

Instagram now allows posting from desktop browsers, which can be helpful for uploading professionally edited videos.

Steps to Share Videos from a Computer

1. Go to Instagram.com and log in to your account
2. Click the "+" icon in the top right corner
3. Click "Select from computer" and choose your video file
4. Click "Next" to add filters and edit
5. Click "Next" again to add a caption and other details
6. Click "Share" to post

Desktop Limitations

Be aware of these limitations when posting from desktop:

• Stories can only be posted from mobile devices
• Some editing features are more limited compared to the mobile app
• Reels creation is more robust on the mobile app

Enhancing Your Instagram Videos

To get more engagement on your videos, consider these enhancement strategies:

Adding Hashtags

Hashtags help your content get discovered by people interested in specific topics:

• Use 5-10 relevant hashtags per post
• Mix popular and niche hashtags
• Create a branded hashtag for your content
• Research trending hashtags in your industry

Writing Effective Captions

Good captions increase engagement and provide context:

• Keep them concise but informative
• Include a call to action (like "Double tap if you agree" or "Share your thoughts below")
• Use emojis to add personality
• Ask questions to encourage comments

Best Times to Post Videos

Timing can significantly impact your video's reach:

Day	Best Times (EST)
Monday	6 AM, 10 AM, 10 PM
Tuesday	2 AM, 4 AM, 9 AM
Wednesday	7 AM, 8 AM, 11 PM
Thursday	9 AM, 12 PM, 7 PM
Friday	5 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM
Saturday	11 AM, 7 PM, 8 PM
Sunday	7 AM, 8 AM, 4 PM

Note: These times are general guidelines. Check your Instagram Insights to find the best times for your specific audience.

Troubleshooting Common Video Sharing Issues

Even with the right steps, you might encounter some problems when sharing videos on Instagram. Here are solutions to common issues:

Video Upload Failures

If your video won't upload, try these fixes:

• Check your internet connection
• Ensure your video meets Instagram's requirements
• Reduce the file size or length if needed
• Close and restart the Instagram app
• Update to the latest version of Instagram
• Clear the app cache (in your phone's settings)

Poor Video Quality After Upload

To maintain video quality:

• Upload high-resolution videos (1080p or better)
• Avoid excessive editing and re-compression before uploading
• Use good lighting when recording
• Wait for videos to fully process before sharing
• Use a stable internet connection when uploading

Audio Issues

If your video has audio problems:

• Check if your video's sound is working before uploading
• Make sure the volume is turned up in the editing phase
• Verify you haven't accidentally muted the video
• Be aware of copyright issues that might cause Instagram to mute your audio

Advanced Video Sharing Strategies

Once you've mastered the basics, try these advanced techniques to take your Instagram videos to the next level:

Creating Video Carousels

Video carousels allow you to share multiple videos in a single post that users can swipe through:

1. Tap the "+" icon and select "Post"
2. Tap the multiple-photo icon or swipe up to select "Select multiple"
3. Choose up to 10 videos and/or photos
4. Tap "Next" and edit each video individually
5. Add your caption and share

Using Instagram Collab Feature

The Collab feature lets two accounts share the same post:

1. Create your video post as usual
2. Before sharing, tap "Tag people"
3. Tap "Invite collaborator"
4. Search for and select the account you want to collaborate with
5. Once they accept, the post will appear on both profiles

Scheduling Video Posts

To maintain consistency, you can schedule your video posts:

• Use Instagram's Creator Studio on desktop
• Connect your Instagram account to Facebook Business Suite
• Create your post and click the dropdown next to "Publish"
• Select "Schedule" and choose your date and time
• Click "Schedule" to confirm

Privacy and Sharing Settings for Videos

Managing who can see your videos is important for maintaining your privacy:

Controlling Who Sees Your Videos

Adjust your account settings to control video visibility:

• Public account: Anyone can see your videos
• Private account: Only approved followers can see your videos
• Close Friends: Share Stories only with selected people
• Hide from specific people: Block individuals or restrict them from seeing your Stories

Managing Video Tagging

Control how others can tag you in videos:

1. Go to your profile and tap the three lines in the top right
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Privacy"
4. Tap "Tags" or "Mentions"
5. Choose who can tag you: Everyone, People You Follow, or No One

Copyright Considerations

Be mindful of copyright when sharing videos:

• Use only music you have rights to or from Instagram's music library
• Don't share videos containing others' copyrighted content without permission
• Give credit when sharing content created by others
• Be aware that Instagram may mute or remove videos that violate copyright

Analyzing Video Performance

Track how your videos perform to improve your strategy:

Using Instagram Insights

Access valuable metrics through Instagram Insights (requires a Business or Creator account):

1. Go to your profile and tap "Insights"
2. Scroll to "Content You Shared"
3. Filter by content type (Posts, Stories, Reels, etc.)
4. Tap on specific videos to see detailed metrics

Key Video Metrics to Track

• Reach: Number of unique accounts that saw your video
• Impressions: Total number of times your video was viewed
• Engagement: Likes, comments, saves, and shares
• Video Views: Number of times your video was played
• Completion Rate: Percentage of viewers who watched your entire video
• Profile Visits: People who visited your profile after seeing your video

Comparing Video Types

Different video formats perform differently:

Format	Best For	Typical Performance Metrics
Feed Videos	Polished, evergreen content	Likes, comments, saves
Stories	Quick updates, time-sensitive content	Taps forward, taps back, exits, replies
Reels	Trending, discoverable content	Plays, shares, comments
IGTV/Long Videos	In-depth, tutorial-style content	Average watch time, retention rate

Quick Tip to ensure your videos never go missing

Videos are precious memories and all of us never want to lose them to hard disk crashes or missing drives. PicBackMan is the easiest and simplest way to keep your videos safely backed up in one or more online accounts. 

Simply download PicBackMan (it's free!), register your account, connect to your online store and tell PicBackMan where your videos are - PicBackMan does the rest, automatically. It bulk uploads all videos and keeps looking for new ones and uploads those too. You don't have to ever touch it.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is my video quality poor after uploading to Instagram?

Instagram compresses videos to save space on its servers. To minimize quality loss, record in good lighting, use a stable camera, upload high-resolution videos (1080p or higher), and make sure your internet connection is stable during upload. Editing within Instagram rather than using multiple external apps can also help maintain quality.

2. How can I share a YouTube video on Instagram?

Instagram doesn't allow direct YouTube link sharing in posts. You'll need to download the YouTube video (if it's yours) or create a clip, then upload it to Instagram following the standard posting process. Alternatively, you can share YouTube links in your bio or through Instagram DMs.

3. What's the difference between posting a video to my feed versus posting a Reel?

Feed videos are primarily shown to your followers, can be up to 60 seconds long, and appear in your profile grid. Reels can be up to 90 seconds, are designed for discovery beyond your followers through the Reels tab, and offer specialized editing tools like music, effects, and speed controls. Reels generally have higher potential reach to non-followers.

4. Can I edit a video after I've already poste

Conclusion

Sharing videos on Instagram offers multiple ways to connect with your audience, whether through feed posts, Stories, Reels, or direct messages. Each format has its own strengths and can help you achieve different goals. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently share videos that engage your followers and express your creativity.

Remember that practice makes perfect. Experiment with different video types, posting times, and content styles to find what works best for your audience. Pay attention to your Insights data to refine your strategy over time. Most importantly, create authentic videos that reflect your personality or brand—that's what truly resonates with viewers on Instagram.

Now that you have all the tools and knowledge needed to share videos on Instagram, it's time to start creating and posting your own engaging content!