5 Simple Ways to Post on Instagram

PDF download Download Article
An easy-to-follow guide to sharing photos and videos on Instagram
PDF download Download Article

Posting on Instagram is super easy, whether you're posting from the mobile app or your computer. To post on the Instagram mobile app, tap the plus sign, choose or capture a photo or video, then add filters and a caption. If you want more creative options, including the ability to add text and music to your posts, you can create a Story or Reel using the mobile app. If you're using your computer, you can post on Instagram by visiting Instagram.com in your web browser. This wikiHow article teaches you how to post on Instagram using your Android, iPhone, or iPad, as well on your computer using the Instagram website.

Things You Should Know

  • Post photos and videos on Instagram using the mobile app or a computer by tapping "+."
  • To share photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours, you can create Stories using the mobile app.
  • You can post photos and videos to Instagram from your computer using Instagram.com, or by installing the Windows Instagram app.
Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Posting Photos & Videos on Mobile

PDF download Download Article
  1. Tap the Instagram app icon, which resembles a multicolored camera front, to do so. This will open your Instagram home page if you're logged in.
  2. This plus sign is at the bottom-center of the screen. This takes you to the New Post screen, where you'll be able to choose the photo or video you want to post or create a new one.
    Advertisement
  3. Instagram offers many ways to share photos and videos in the app. If you want to create a photo or video post, you'll want to choose POST from the options.
    • Other ways you can share content on Instagram:
      • Stories let you share your day-to-date moments in a slideshow-like format. But unlike regular Instagram posts, Stories are only available on your profile for 24 hours before they disappear.
      • Reels are short videos with audio, effects, and other tools designed to entertain viewers. If you're familiar with TikTok , Reels are Instagram's version of TikTok's popular video format
      • Live allows you to broadcast a live video stream to your followers.
  4. If you want to upload a photo or video you've already taken, you can select it from your phone or tablet's gallery. If you'd rather capture a new photo or video, tap the camera icon to open the camera viewfinder. [1]
    • If you select a photo or video, tap Next or the arrow icon in the top-right corner of the screen to continue.
    • If you're using the Instagram camera, tap the camera shutter button to take a photo, or tap and hold it to record a new video.
    • If you want to share multiple photos and/or videos in a single carousel post, tap the two overlapping photos. You can then tap the media you want to share in the order in which it should appear.
    • As of July 2022, if you post a video that's under 15 minutes long on Instagram, it will be shared as a Reel. [2]
  5. You can apply creative filters to your photos and videos by selecting them from the list at the bottom.
    • You can tap the filter again once it's selected to bring up a slider that allows you to reduce the filter's effect.
    • You can also tap the Edit tab at the bottom of the screen to edit other aspects of the photo or video (e.g., Brightness or Contrast ).
    • Tap Next or the arrow icon in the top right corner to continue.
  6. Tap the text field at the top of the screen, then type in the caption that you want to use.
    • You can also tag Instagram friends in this photo or video by tapping Tag People , tapping the photo, and selecting friends.
    • To add a location tag to the photo, tap Add Location , then select a location.
    • Adding hashtags to your post can help other people find your content.
  7. It's at the top-right corner of the screen. This posts your photo or video to your Instagram page.
    • If your Instagram account is linked to other social media accounts (e.g., Twitter or Facebook), you can tap the switch to the right of an account to post the photo or video there as well.
    • If you have big pictures to post that are too large to post normally, you can do it by resizing the pictures or creating a profile mosaic.
    • If you find a Story or post that you'd like to share with your followers, you can share it using a few different techniques.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Posting a Story

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can post an Instagram Story using the mobile Instagram app, but not from a computer. Stories are short-format photos and/or videos that disappear from your profile after 24 hours. You can view Stories from people you follow by tapping their profile photo at the top of your feed, or by tapping their profile photo at the top of their own profile. [3]
  2. You'll see it at the top-left corner of your Instagram feed.
    • You can also tap the + at the bottom of the Instagram app and select Story to get here, or swipe right on your feed. [4]
  3. To choose a photo or video from your phone or tablet, tap the gallery icon at the bottom-left and make your selection. Otherwise, you can capture a new photo or video using the camera on the screen.
    • If you want to record a new video or take a new photo, you can choose one of the filters at the bottom of the screen before recording.
    • If you don't want to share a photo or video, you can tap the Aa on the left to enter Create mode, which allows you to add text to a colored background, create polls, share make GIFs, and other unique story ideas.
    • Check out our guide to creating games in Instagram Stories!
  4. You can swipe left or right on the photo or video to scroll through a variety of filters, or tap the sticker icon for more options, including the ability to add music to your story.
    • To add filters, tap the star icon at the top and select a filter.
    • To add text, tag friends, or tag your location, tap Aa at the top.
  5. This adds your Story to the top of your profile, and to the top of your friends' feeds.
    • Continue adding to your Story throughout the day.
    • 24 hours after posting your story, it will disappear. Fortunately, you can view your old Stories and even share them to your Highlights .
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Posting a Reel

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you want to create a creative short-form video with fun effects, music, and more, you can create a Reel using the Instagram mobile app. [5]
    • While you can post Reels from your computer, you won't have the same editing options as on the mobile app.
  2. A list of posting options will appear.
  3. This opens the Reels recording screen, where you'll find many options for personalizing your reel.
  4. If you want to record yourself or a friend, try selecting an effect from the carousel at the bottom. You can also tap Effects or the stars on the left side of the screen to browse the entire Effects library.
    • You can add some effects after you create your Reel if you prefer.
  5. To record something new, tap and hold the circle at the bottom of the screen. You can record Reels in segments, too—just lift your finger after recording the first segment, and come back later to record the next. When you're finished, tap Next to see a preview.
    • If you want to make a Reel from a video you've already recorded, tap the square at the bottom-left, then select your video.
  6. If you want to add music to your Reel, tap the music note icon on the left side of the screen. You can also add stickers, text, drawings, and more effects using the buttons at the top of the preview.
    • If you recorded your Reel in segments, tap Edit clips at the bottom to edit or reorder them.
  8. On the final screen, you can type a caption, tag people or locations, and edit your cover image before sharing. When you're finished, tap Share to share your Reel.
    9. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Posting Comments

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's the speech bubble below the photo or video. If you want to leave a comment on somebody else's Instagram post, you can easily do so using the mobile app or your computer.
    • If the person who posted the photo or video has disabled comments , you won't be able to post a comment here.
    • If you want to reply to an existing comment, tap the comment to which you want to reply and then tap Reply instead.
  2. You can also add emojis and hashtags if you'd like.
    • You can tag somebody in a comment by typing "@" followed by the person's Instagram username.
  3. This adds your comment to the Instagram post.
    4. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Posting Photos & Videos on a Computer

PDF download Download Article
  1. Go to https://www.instagram.com using your computer's web browser. If you want to post photos and videos from your PC or Mac, it's easy to do on Instagram's website.
    • Unlike when posting from the Android or iPhone app, you can't use Instagram on your computer to post Stories or Reels.
    • If you're using Windows 10 or 11 and prefer using a desktop app, you can install the official Instagram app from the Microsoft Store .
  2. Enter your login credentials and password and click on the Log In button. Once you're signed in, you'll see your Instagram feed.
  3. You'll see this plus icon in the menu on the left side of the page. A pop-up will appear.
  4. This will open a File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window on your computer.
  5. Double-clicking the photo or video you want to upload adds it to the upload page so you can edit it before sharing.
    • You may first have to double-click the folder in which the photo is located on the left side of the window.
    • You can also drag multiple photos and/or videos to the "Drag photos and videos here" box to quickly share multiple items.
    • If you want to post an individual video, it will be shared as a Reel. However, unlike creating a Reel in the mobile app, you won't have access to advanced Reel tools on your computer.
  6. It's at the top-right corner of the pop-up window. Alternatively, you can click the crop, magnify, or select multiple icons along the bottom of your image to make more changes before you proceed.
  7. Click a filter on the right side of the window to see how it will look on your photo or video. If you want to make further adjustments, just click the “Adjustment” tab.
    • This step is optional.
    • Click Next to continue.
  8. Click the “Write a caption...” text field, then type in a description for your photo.
    • Add location to your post by clicking Add Location , then typing and choosing your location from the suggestions.
    • Make your image more accessible by adding alt text. Click Accessibility to enter your alt text, which is a text description of your image.
    • Click Advanced settings to be able to hide likes and comments on that post or to turn off commenting completely.
  9. It's a blue button on the upper-right side of the page. The photo will be posted to your Instagram page. [6]
    10. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I make my Instagram feed feel cohesive?
    A.J. Aldana
    Social Media Specialist
    A.J. Aldana is a social media specialist who has been using platforms such as Tik Tok, Instagram, and YouTube for over 5 years. A.J. has worked with brands to curate content that has garnered thousands of interactions for various social media campaigns and is passionate about contributing to innovative and trending articles on wikiHow. He holds a BS in Product Design from Stanford University.
    A.J. Aldana
    Social Media Specialist
    Expert Answer
    If your Instagram has a theme, make sure your posts are topical and follow your theme. For example, if you're a grocery store, maybe you share grocery haul posts. If you're a business, maybe you share tips about your product. You could also apply the same filter to all of your photos to give them visual cohesion.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How do I delete duplicate photos?
    Community Answer
    You'll need to find and delete each duplicate photo manually. Tap the Options button after opening the photo and select "Delete" to remove it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 18
  • Question
    How many photos per day am I allowed to upload to Instagram?
    Community Answer
    There is no limit to how many posts you can post. Try to post no more than 4 or 5 everyday. This will space things out a little without feeling like spam.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 14
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Don't post anything to which you don't own the rights. Posting other people's content as your own can get your account banned.
        Thanks
        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      Connecting Instagram and Facebook in Account Center
      How to
      Hide Instagram Posts from Certain Followers
      How to
      Share a Post on Instagram
      2 Easy Ways to Find Your Bookmarked Instagram Posts
      How to
      See Archived Posts on Instagram on PC or Mac
      5 Simple Ways to Delete a Post on Instagram
      Posting on Instagram from Your Computer: Quick Guide
      A Complete Guide to Embedding an Instagram Post
      3 Simple Ways to Add Music to Instagram Posts
      How to
      Repost on Instagram
      How to
      Edit an Instagram Post
      How to
      Get Notified when Someone Posts on Instagram
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://help.instagram.com/442418472487929
      2. ↑ https://business.instagram.com/blog/instagram-video-now-instagram-reels
      3. ↑ https://business.instagram.com/instagram-stories
      4. ↑ https://business.instagram.com/instagram-stories/get-started
      5. ↑ https://help.instagram.com/2720958398006062/?cms_platform=android-app&amp%3Bhelpref=platform_switcher
      6. ↑ https://help.instagram.com/442418472487929/?cms_platform=iphone-app&helpref=platform_switcher

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 3,051,515 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Usha B.

        Apr 16, 2017

        "I do not use Instagram. However, I had to help someone who just started. This wikiHow page helped us out ..." more
        Rated this article:
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement