Instagram's New Repost Feature: What to Expect?

Instagram is trying something again, and this time it's really crucial. On this ever-changing platform, we're all eagerly waiting to see what the next big thing will be. Today, we're discussing perhaps the most talked about and anticipated of those innovations. Yes, you heard right, I'm talking about the famous Instagram's new repost feature. This isn't just a simple "share" button update, believe me. This has the potential to rewrite the rules of the game for brands and content creators. If used correctly, of course... I can almost hear you saying, "So what's this going to do for us?" Let's get to the bottom of this and see who will be the most profitable in this new era.

Nevermind the Fancy Talk: What Does Reposting Actually Do?

Now let's put aside the marketing books and talk sincerely. Reposting, that is, sharing someone else's content on your own profile, is not a lazy act done to fill your content calendar. Or at least it shouldn't be. The real deal here is sincerity. Think about it, you have a small boutique business. A customer of yours took such a beautiful coffee corner photo with the handmade cup she bought from you that it looks warmer and more "real" than your professional shots. Now imagine what happens when you take that photo and share it, saying, "Look, @kullaniciadi has prepared such a wonderful corner with our cup, we loved it!" You don't just share a photo; you make that customer the hero of the day, you make them feel valued, and most importantly, you show all your other followers something you can't get paid for: True love for people.

There was a small ceramics studio that I was consulting for recently. The owner was doing great work, but his social media was a bit... lifeless. I said, "Look, start sharing photos of people who have made their homes beautiful with your products and see what happens." He was hesitant at first, thinking, "I wonder if it will ruin my concept." But he tried it. Believe me, his sales almost doubled that month. Why? Because people were no longer just seeing beautiful ceramics, they were seeing the real lives and happy moments lived with those ceramics. The brand suddenly went from a cold display case to a warm neighborly chat. That's the magic of reposting. Getting others to say good things about you instead of you. Is there a more powerful marketing method than that?

Of course, there's the other side of the coin. Every day, every day, our brains burn thinking, "What should I share today?" Right? In such moments, reposting a post by an inspiring account in your sector with your own commentary can be a lifesaver. Again, the aim should not be copy-paste. An introduction that starts with "Friends, I saw this post by @uzmanhesap and this point in particular caught my attention..." will save you from appearing as a content thief; on the contrary, it positions you as an expert who is interested in the subject, researches, and offers value to your followers. So yes, reposting is also a smart content strategy and a networking tool.

The Golden Rules of Repost: We Also Have a Quick Checklist!

Okay, we understand the benefits of reposting. But there is a certain etiquette and ethics to this business. If you act with the logic of "I saw it, I liked it, I bought it", you may end up doing something wrong. Your brand reputation may be ruined, and you may even have legal trouble. No one wants their content and labor to be used as a commodity without permission. Just be empathetic. That's why there are some questions you should definitely ask yourself before sharing a piece of content. I have prepared a small "Repost Tag Checklist" to make your job easier. Take a note of this:

• Did You Ask for Permission? The most basic rule. Especially if you are going to share it permanently in your main feed, you have to send a message to the owner of the content and ask for permission. Remember, "silence does not come from confession". If you don’t get a response, it means permission has not been granted.
• Is the source clear? Did you clearly state who the content belongs to? Just tagging the photo is not enough. At the very beginning of the post, add a statement like “Thanks to @username for this great share!” in a visible manner. Transparency is the key.
• Did you add your own comment? Did you explain why you shared the content, even in a sentence or two? This both adds value to the share and prevents you from being a simple repeat machine.
• Is it compatible with your brand? Does the content you shared align with your brand identity, stance, and aesthetic? Sharing irrelevant content just because it’s popular will only confuse your followers.

This list is like your insurance policy. When you make these four steps a habit, you will both establish a much healthier relationship with your community and prevent potential crises. Remember, social media is built on relationships. And the foundation of good relationships is always based on respect. These rules are actually your expression of respect in the digital world.

Every Content Has Its Own Habit: How to Share Reels, Posts and Stories?

Every piece of content on Instagram has its own spirit and dynamics. Therefore, when reposting, it is necessary to act according to these different dynamics of the platform. For example, it is most comfortable to share a post or a Reel in the Story. Instagram also makes this easy with the "Add to Story" button. It is like telling your friend, "check this out," when you see something interesting on the street. It is fast, instant, and disappears after 24 hours. It does not disrupt the general aesthetics of your profile, and there is no problem with attribution. It’s perfect for sharing customer satisfaction, instant announcements, and unmissable opportunities.

But if you decide to put a piece of content on your feed, it’s like saying “we’re on board with this.” That content becomes a permanent part of your digital showcase. That’s why the permission and proper attribution rules listed above are vital here. Taking a screenshot and sharing it should be your last resort, because it usually reduces quality and doesn’t look very professional. If you have permission and the content is a video, there are various tools available on how to download it. But the cleanest and most elegant way, if possible, is to “Collaborate” with the content owner. This way, the post will be published on both profiles at the same time, and everyone wins.

Let’s get into the dynamic world of Reels… The most creative way to repost Reels videos is definitely to use the “Remix” feature. You can do great work by adding your own reaction, comment, or follow-up video to the original video. This generates much more engagement than passive sharing because you’re adding something to the content. In short, no matter what format you choose, always ask yourself, “How can I make this post more valuable, more interactive, and more respectful to the original creator?” When you find the answer, you’re on the right track.