Instagram is a happy place for creatives, influencers, and brands. As a social media platform built for photography, interaction, and sharing, it’s not uncommon to find a reposted image from other Instagram Creators!
When you share someone else’s Instagram photos on your own feed, it’s called reposting.
Reposting on Instagram may be the norm, but it is a bit of a grey area. That’s what we’re discussing in this piece – including why brands do it, whether re-gramming is legal and ethical, and how to do it!
We’ll run through all the specifics below, and show you how you can easily repost on Instagram with the Tailwind App browser extension!
Why Do Brands Repost User-Generated Content?
Big brands have big bank accounts, so why aren’t they investing in their own Instagram content? It’s not because they’re lazy. It’s because reposting on Instagram is a good marketing strategy.
66% of people believe that Instagram helps them to connect with their favorite brands. It doesn’t matter if you’re a large enterprise or a solo blogger- your followers don’t want a one-sided relationship. Recognizing them and sharing their content in the right way can increase brand loyalty!
Reposting can also help you gain new followers. When users see someone they trust featured on your Instagram feed, it will give you credibility.
As more people are looking for real content and genuine reviews on social media, user-generated content is appealing – maybe even more appealing than polished ads!
What About Copyright?
The internet is filled with images, and it can be easy to assume that something you find online is free to use. This isn’t always the case, and copyright laws still apply online.
The etiquette of reposting on Instagram can be vague, and it is no secret that the lines can get blurred. But if you read the Instagram terms of use, Instagram has a limited sub-license to publish user-generated content.
For everyone else, violating a person’s intellectual property rights is against the rules.
How to Legally Repost on Instagram
There is only one way to repost without breaking copyright laws — ask permission first!
The best way to do this is in writing, and a direct message (DM) will be enough to tick the legal boxes.
When you are ready to ask permission, bring up the post you want to reshare. You can then click the “share to” button in the top right corner. Select “Share to direct,” and this will give you the option to reference the image in a DM.
Messaging your regram request with the original content will give them all the details of what your intent is before they decide.
While we’re on the subject, it is also worth noting that music is also subject to intellectual property laws. Your account might be deleted if you include tunes that you don’t have the legal right to use.
How to Ethically Repost on Instagram
You know you need permission to repost legally, but how can you do it ethically? To begin with, you should never attempt to remove a watermark.
Keep the post as close to the original as possible. For example, you should use the same caption and hashtags. You can expand on this content with your own thoughts to give it a unique twist.
Don’t edit the original image in any way – including photoshopping, changing colors or changing the integrity of the original work.
It’s also important to give the creator credit for their work with user tagging and a tag in the caption, and this can be done in a flash with the Tailwind app browser extension.
You can also encourage your followers to submit user-generated content specifically for you to reuse! For example, you can ask them to take photos and tag your handle or create a specific hashtag for users to use who want a chance to be featured on your Instagram Feed!
How to Find User-Generated Content to Reshare on your Instagram Feed
Try to be selective about the user-generated content that you repost on your account.
Consider asking those you already have a connection with. For example, someone who is following you or who has previously tagged you. You want to make sure they share the same values as you and that your followers will understand the collaboration.
Or, look for quality accounts that regularly post content that aligns with your own. You can check the history on their Instagram profile to see if the hashtags are relevant to your personal brand.
Major brands often use the hashtag trick to easily find content from users willing to be reposted. Just create your branded hashtag, post it in your Instagram bio and encourage followers to use it for a chance to be featured!
How to Manually Repost to Instagram
Manually reposting can be a time-consuming process. This is especially true if you are a committed Instagram user with scheduling requirements. But this doesn’t mean you can’t do it!
Locate the post you want to share, ask for permission, then take a screenshot. Try to include the profile picture and username in the shot. You can then upload this via your camera roll to your Instagram feed and retype the original caption.
Unlike Facebook and Twitter, Instagram doesn’t give you the option to share directly to your newsfeed. While there are clumsy, manual workarounds as described above, there is an easier way.
You can use the Tailwind app browser extension to schedule reposts and add them to your Instagram queue!
How to Repost to Instagram with an App
For time-poor marketers, Tailwind is a gamechanger. We’ve already briefly mentioned the scheduling capabilities, but now it’s time to give you a rundown on how it all works.
Once you have signed up for Tailwind, you can start managing your Instagram and Pinterest feeds like a pro. Remember, it’s so much more than a reshare app, with in-depth profile insights, hashtag recommendations, and posting time suggestions.
Tailwind is available as a social media management app for both Android and Apple iPhone devices. You can also install the Tailwind browser extension on your favorite desktop browser for quick reposting!
Repost on Instagram using the Tailwind app browser extension
You’re here to learn how you can repost for Instagram, and we’re going to focus on how you can create a new post via the Tailwind app browser extension.
To help you navigate the platform, we have created the following step-by-step guide:
STEP 1:
Once you have signed up to Tailwind and installed the browser extension, all you need to do is visit your favorite feed. For example, you can go to the URL for the Tailwind Insta account at https://www.instagram.com/tailwindapp/
STEP 2:
When you click the Tailwind browser extension, a selection of images will appear. You can select the post you want to reshare to your Instagram account. Want more than one? No problem — you can choose multiple images.
STEP 3:
In the bottom right corner, you will find a blue “Go Schedule” button. When you’re ready, give it a click, and just like that, the images you select will be saved.
In addition to the images, the app will automatically give attribution to the original post and copy the descriptions and hashtags. You can change these if you want to add more detail – especially if you’re reposting from the web!
STEP 4:
When you save images, they will sit in your drafts folder. Here you can edit them, mix up your hashtags and captions, and decide when to post. Your drafts will wait in a queue, giving you the option to prepare your content ahead of time.
Reposting on Instagram
Instagram is an innovative platform that you can use to grow your personal brand. You can upload photos, build your network, and discover new products and services.
Instagram may be a social hub, but this doesn’t mean the content is free to copy and paste. If you want to repost content to your own account, you’ll still need to be mindful of copyright laws. Remember to ask for permission first and give attribution to the original poster.
Reposting quality content should be part of your Instagram marketing plan as it builds trust. It can even help you get more followers. But, searching for posts to reshare, taking screenshots, and waiting for the right time to publish can be a full-time job.
To make it easier, you can use the Tailwind browser extension. It will show you available content from your favorite feed, automatically give a shoutout to the original author, and schedule in advance. Tailwind is the only repost app you will ever need.
We hope these tips help you find Insta reposting success, and we might even see you over on the ‘Gram!
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