How to Post a Story on Instagram

Time-limited Instagram stories are a great marketing tool for building a brand, or they can be fun for just sharing moments with friends and family. Here's how to post a story on Instagram and share it with others.

What Is an Instagram Story?

Instagram stories are photos or short video clips that disappear after 24 hours (unless you add them to your profile as a highlight). Unlike regular posts, stories lack certain features like social media buttons and comment sections. It's possible to repost Instagram stories you're tagged in provided the original poster enables sharing. You can even live stream Instagram Stories using the Instagram Live Video feature. Users who have 10,000 or more followers can add links to their Instagram Stories.

How to Make an Instagram Story

To share photos and videos as a story on Instagram:

1. Launch Instagram and swipe right to access the camera or tap the Plus sign (+) icon and scroll to Story.

2. Tap the circle to snap a photo, or tap and hold to record a video.

   Swipe up on the screen if you want to choose a photo or video from your device's gallery.

3. Use the tools at the top to add doodles, text, filters, or stickers.

4. Tap Your Story (or Your Stories) at the bottom of the screen to post the photo or video to your story.

5. At the top of your feed, tap Your Story to view your post. If you want to keep the story after 24 hours, tap Highlight under your story.

Where Do Instagram Stories Appear?

Whenever you post an Instagram story, a ring appears around your profile picture. When other users tap your profile picture, they see your story. But your story isn't visible on your profile grid. Stories appear at the top of your feed.

If you see a friend's profile picture, tap it to view their story. Your profile picture appears at the top of your friends' feeds as well as next to your posts and direct messages. If your story includes a hashtag or geotag, it shows up in searches unless you make your Instagram account private.

How to Delete an Instagram Story

To delete your current story on Instagram:

1. Tap Your Story on your feed.

2. Tap More.

3. Tap Delete.

How to Delete an Instagram Story From Your Archive

Once an Instagram story expires, it remains in your archive for your eyes only (unless you highlighted it or shared it elsewhere). To permanently delete the story:

1. Tap your profile picture at the bottom of your feed.

2. Tap the hamburger menu.

3. Tap Archive.

4. Tap the story you wish to delete.

5. Tap More.

6. Tap Delete.

   When you delete a story from the archive, it's also deleted from your highlights and anywhere else you shared it.

How to Share an Instagram Story

It's possible to share Instagram stories you've previously posted from your archive:

1. Tap your profile picture at the bottom of your feed.

2. Tap the hamburger menu.

3. Tap Archive.

4. Tap the story you wish to share.

5. Tap Share at the bottom of the screen.

6. Tap Your Story, or tap Send to if you want to share it with someone.

How to Add to an Instagram Story

Before you share a story, you have the option to add stickers, text, and other elements. If you tap the sticker icon while editing your story, you see a bunch of additional options. For example, you can add music, tag your location, or even create a quiz. To add a selfie sticker, scroll down the stickers page and tap the camera.

It's also possible to pin stickers and text to moving elements in a video. After placing your text or sticker, tap and hold the screen until you see Pin at the bottom of the screen, then tap the object in the video you want to pin it to.

How to Add a Tweet to Your Instagram Story

As social media tools become more integrated, there's more crossover between social channels. For example, if you're using the iOS Twitter app and the iOS Instagram app, you can add a Twitter post you like directly to your Instagram story.

Find the Twitter post you like and tap on the tweet. Then, select the Share icon and choose Instagram Stories. The tweet will be added to your Instagram Story just like any other photo or video.