Is an Instagram Repost the Same as a Story Share?
.jpg)
No. An Instagram Repost and a Story share are different actions. A native Repost is for eligible public Reels and feed posts, and can appear in a separate Reposts tab on your profile. A Story share places the original post in your Story, which normally disappears after 24 hours.
If you are choosing a service or checking a campaign, do not treat a Repost and a Story share as the same metric. They appear in different places and serve different purposes.
On this page
- What does an Instagram Repost do?
- What happens when you share a post to your Story?
- What is the difference between a Repost and a Story share?
- Which option should you use?
- What should buyers check before ordering?
- Who gets credit for the original content?
- Frequently asked questions
What does an Instagram Repost do?
A native Repost shares an eligible public Reel or feed post through Instagram's Repost feature. Meta says reposts may be recommended to the reposter's friends' and followers' feeds, and appear in a separate tab on the profile for later viewing.
The original poster remains credited. Meta says a creator's public content may therefore be recommended to the reposter's followers, including people who do not follow the creator.
To repost, use the Repost control on the public Reel or feed post when Instagram offers it. Meta's announcement about Instagram Reposts describes the feature and its profile tab.
What happens when you share a post to your Story?
A Story share places the original feed post in your Story as a tappable sticker. Instagram's guide says the sticker displays the original poster's username, and viewers can tap it to open the original post.
Stories are temporary. Instagram says photos and videos shared in Stories disappear after 24 hours, unless you choose to feature them on your profile. A Story share is useful for a short-lived mention or recommendation, not the same placement as a native Repost.
For the sharing flow, see Instagram's guide to sharing feed posts to Stories. Instagram's Stories announcement explains the 24-hour format.
What is the difference between a Repost and a Story share?
The main difference is where the content appears and how long it is available. Both actions point back to the original creator, but they do not create the same placement.
| Action | Where it appears | What viewers can do | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native Repost | A separate Reposts tab on your profile and potentially friends' or followers' feeds | See the repost and its original creator attribution | Sharing eligible public content through Instagram's Repost feature |
| Add a post to your Story | Your Story for up to 24 hours | Tap the post sticker to open the original post | A temporary mention with Story context |
| Send in Direct | A private Instagram message to the selected recipient | Open the shared post from the message | Sharing with a specific person rather than posting to an audience |
A Story may later be featured on your profile, but that does not turn it into a native Repost. The source post and the Story placement remain different.
Which option should you use?
Choose the action that matches the placement you want. If you want to recommend public content through Instagram's Repost feature, use Repost. If you want a temporary post in your Story with added context, use Share to Story.
- Use Repost when you want eligible public content to appear in your Reposts tab and potentially in feeds.
- Use Story share when you want to add a short-lived mention, text or other Story context around the original post.
- Use Direct when you intend to send the post to a particular person or chat.
Do not download and upload someone else's post as if you created it. Native sharing keeps attribution connected to the original source. Ask for permission before reusing content outside Instagram's built-in sharing features.
What should buyers check before ordering?
Match the service to the action and link you actually want to promote. Instagram Reposts and Instagram Story Shares are separate services on our site, just as they are separate placements in the app.
Review the current Instagram Reposts service details if you want the native Repost action on an eligible public post or Reel. The Instagram Story Shares service is for shares of your published Story. That is different from the in-app action of adding a feed post to your own Story.
Confirm the required link format and eligibility on the service page before ordering. Do not choose based on a similar-sounding label alone.
Do not assume that a Repost count and a Story-share count are interchangeable, or that either count guarantees views, profile visits or sales. For a broader guide to creating content people choose to share, see how to make Instagram videos people will share.
Who gets credit for the original content?
Instagram's built-in sharing features keep the original source visible. Meta says native Reposts are credited to the original poster. Instagram says a post shared to a Story displays the original poster's username and can be opened from the Story sticker.
That attribution is useful to viewers and creators, but it does not give you ownership of another person's work. Keep the original account credited and follow the creator's permissions when you reuse content beyond the built-in feature.
Frequently asked questions
Is an Instagram Repost the same as sharing a post to your Story?
No. A Repost uses Instagram's native feature and appears in a Reposts tab and may be recommended in feeds. A Story share places the post in your temporary Story.
Where does a native Instagram Repost appear?
Meta says Reposts appear in a separate tab on the profile and may be recommended to friends' and followers' feeds.
How long does a Story share last?
Instagram Stories normally disappear after 24 hours. You can choose to feature Story content on your profile.
Does Instagram credit the original creator?
Meta says the original poster is credited on native Reposts. Instagram says Story-shared feed posts show the original poster's username and link to the post.
Can I Repost a private account's post or Reel?
Meta describes native Reposts for public Reels and feed posts. Do not assume private content is eligible for the Repost feature.
Are Story Shares the same as adding a post to my Story?
No. Adding a post to your Story is an action you take. The Instagram Story Shares service describes shares of a Story you published. Check the service page for its current details.
Bottom line
A native Instagram Repost is not the same as a Story share. Reposts use a separate profile tab and may appear in feeds; Story shares appear in Stories for a limited time. Choose based on where you want the content to appear.
For the exact current feature description, read Meta's Instagram Reposts announcement.
