How to Post a YouTube Video on Instagram

Get permission first before uploading a copyrighted video on IG

What to Know

  • Copy video URL > go to downloader > download video > Instagram > upload video > edit > Share.
  • Mobile Stories: Copy video URL > go to downloader > download video > Instagram Stories > edit > Next.

This guide explains how to upload YouTube videos to your Instagram account as a post and as an IG Story.

How to Share a YouTube Video on Instagram (Desktop)

For this section, we used a personal YouTube video to demonstrate how to upload on Instagram as a post. Be aware that you can't upload to Stories via the browser version of Instagram.

Video downloads are available directly through a YouTube Premium subscription, however, videos are not actually saved to your hard drive so you won't be able to view them outside of YouTube. Similarly, you won't be able to upload them.

  1. Go to the YouTube video you want to download and select Share below the video.

  2. Select Copy to copy the video's URL.

    Save highlighted next to a YouTube URL
  3. Download and install VLC Media Player, then open the app.

  4. Select File > Open Network.

    Select Open Network
  5. Paste the video URL into the bar and select Open. The video will open and begin to play.

    Paste URL into bar
  6. Pause the video and set it back to the beginning, then select Playback > Record. Restart playback and let the video play for as long as you want to record.

    Select Record
  7. Recording will stop when you select Stop, or when the video ends. Find the new recording under My Videos in the left pane. Right-click the recording and select Reveal in Finder to locate the file itself.

    Reveal in Finder
  8. Go back to Instagram on your desktop and sign in to Instagram.

  9. Select the plus (+) symbol.

  10. Choose Select from computer to select the video you want to upload.

    Plus sign and Select from computer highlighted in Instagram
  11. Now, you'll be able to crop the video however you want. Once finished, select Next.

    Next highlighted on the Instagram crop video window
  12. You can then further edit the video or trim it down. Once done, select Next.

    Video editing screen in Instagram with Next highlighted
  13. Now you can add a description to the video, location, and people to post. When done, select Share.

    Share highlighted to create new post in Instagram

Upload a YouTube Video to Instagram App as a Post

In this section, you will learn how to upload a YouTube video to Instagram on your mobile device.

YouTube video download websites (such as YT5s) often utilize questionable ads and dubious pop-ups. We don't recommend attempting to download a YouTube video using YT5s or a similar website.

  1. Tap Share below the YouTube video you want to share.

  2. Tap Copy Link.

  3. Head over to a YouTube video downloader website, then paste the YouTube video link, and tap Start.

    Download YouTube video linkon mobile and sharing in Instagram app
  4. Tap Get link, and after it converts the video, select Download.

  5. Next, open the Instagram app. Tap the plus (+) symbol in the upper-right corner, and select Post.

    Get Link and Download in YT5s. Add in Instagram
  6. Select the video you want to upload and tap the blue arrow in the upper-right corner.

  7. In the following section, you can add filters or trim the video. Once done, tap Next.

  8. In this final New Post section, write a caption for the video, tag people, add a location, and more.

  9. Once done, go to the bottom of the scree and tap Share.

    Posting a video on the Instagram app

Upload a YouTube Video to Instagram App as a Story

This is how you upload a YouTube video as an Instagram story.

  1. Tap the plus (+) symbol at the top of Instagram again, but this time, select Story.

  2. Select the video you want to post.

  3. Now you can add stickers, music, filters, and more to the video.

  4. Depending on how long the video is, you may be able to tap the other story and edit that separately.

    Uploading a video to Stories on Instagram app
  5. Once you're done, tap Next in the bottom right corner and you're done.

Copyright Concerns With Using YouTube Videos

Uploading YouTube videos is a fairly straightforward endeavor and isn't very difficult to do. However, before you move forward, ensure you have permission to upload any copyrighted material.

According to Instagram's Terms of Use and Community Guidelines, people can only post content that doesn't violate property rights. We also recommend that you stick to the YouTube downloader listed in this guide, as others may have a lot of annoying ads.

FAQ
  • How do I post a YouTube link in an Instagram story?

    First, start making the story as usual. Chosen an image, select the Stickers icon at the top, and then choose the Link sticker. Set the destination and customize the text (optional), then position the sticker where you want it on your story. When people see the story, they can tap the sticker to visit the URL.

  • How do you put a YouTube link in an Instagram bio?

    To add a clickable link, go to your profile and select Edit Profile > in the Website field, enter the link.

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