How to Post on Instagram: Simplified Guide 2024

Instagram is more than just a social media platform; it's a canvas for personal expression and a hub for brand presence. Navigating this app with ease begins with understanding how to share content that reflects what matters to you or your brand. Whether you're aiming to create a vibrant Instagram feed or leverage its reach for marketing, the first step is to learn how to craft and share a post effectively.

Uploading a photo or video to Instagram is straightforward, yet involves decisions that can enhance engagement with your audience. Selecting the right visual content for your post sets the stage, but fine-tuning details like cropping, filters, and captions sharpens the final presentation. Each choice is a building block for the story you want your content to tell in the bustling digital ecosystem of Instagram.

As you prepare to share a slice of life or promote your latest project on Instagram, remember that your posts contribute to the larger conversation happening across feeds globally. The content you share, from casual snapshots to curated videos, not only populates your personal profile but also echoes out to your followers and the wider Instagram community, inviting them to see the world through your lens.

9 Easy Steps to Post on Instagram

Posting on Instagram is straightforward. Follow these nine easy steps to share your moments with the world, enhance your images with filters, and connect with your audience through tags and hashtags.

Open the Instagram App

Locate the Instagram mobile app on your device and tap the camera icon to open it. Make sure you are logged in to proceed.

Tap the Plus (+) Icon at the Bottom Center of the Screen

Once you're in the app, tap the plus sign (+) located at the bottom center of your screen. This is the gateway to creating your new post.

Choose a Photo or Video from Your Gallery or Take a New One

Select a photo or video from your gallery to post or tap the camera icon to take a new one. If you want to share multiple images or videos in a single post, you can create a carousel post by selecting the layered square icon.

Apply Filters or Edit the Image/Video if Desired

After choosing your photo or video, you can apply filters or use editing tools. Swipe through the filter options and adjust settings like contrast and brightness to your liking.

Add a Caption in the Caption Field

Below the photo, you’ll find a text field where you can add a caption. Use this area to tell your story, share details, and engage your audience.

Tag People or Add Location (Optional)

Tag friends or brands by tapping on the photo and searching for their usernames. You can also add a location tag to your post by tapping 'Add Location.'

Add Relevant Hashtags in the Caption or Comments

Use hashtags to increase the visibility of your post. You can include them in your caption or in a comment below your post.

Tap "Share" to Post the Content

Once everything is set, press the Share button. This will send your content to your Instagram feed for your followers to enjoy.

Wait for It to Upload and Appear in Your Feed

After hitting the share button, wait a moment for the content to upload. You'll see it appear in your feed once the upload is complete.

Pro Tips

Enhancing your Instagram posts includes fine-tuning elements that encourage engagement and discoverability. Here, we focus on the subtle yet impactful additions that can transform your posts from simple shares to standout pieces.

Play with Emojis

Embrace emojis to convey emotion and capture attention. Their judicious integration can visually punctuate your message and add personality to your posts. A thumb up or a sparkle might be small, but they can significantly affect how your audience perceives your content.

Use Hashtags

Craft a strategic set of hashtags relevant to your content or business sector to maximize visibility. Keep in mind:

• Trending Hashtags: Capitalize on these to gain immediate exposure.
• Niche Tags: Connect with a targeted audience.

Limit to a reasonable number, as too many can seem spammy.

Tag Friends

When you feature friends or partners in a post:

1. Tap Tag People.
2. Tap on the photo.
3. Start typing their name or handle.

Tagging builds a network of content and draws in viewers from tagged users' follower bases.

Choose the Location

Adding a location can boost engagement by up to 79%. Under your post caption:

• Tap Add Location.
• Search for the location.

This helps localize your content and can connect you with an audience interested in specific locales.

Add the Image Alt Text

Improve accessibility and SEO by adding alt text to your images. In the advanced settings:

• Tap Write Alt Text.
• Clearly describe the image's content.

This practice not only assists visually-impaired users but also contributes to your content's discoverability.

How Do You Post More Than One Picture On Instagram?

To post multiple pictures on Instagram, follow these straightforward steps:

Step 1: Open Instagram App Begin by launching your Instagram app. You'll find it on your home screen, app drawer, or by searching.

Step 2: Tap the '+ Icon' Look for the '+' icon, typically at the bottom center of the screen, and tap it to create a new post.

Step 3: Access Camera Roll Your camera roll or gallery will pop open. If prompted, permit Instagram to access your photos.

Step 4: Select Multiple Photos Tap the 'Select Multiple' button, which looks like overlapping squares or a numbered circle on the photo preview for newer versions.

Step 5: Choose Your Photos Scroll through your camera roll and tap on the photos you want to add - you can select up to 10 images or videos. A number on each will indicate their sequence.

Step 6: Edit If Desired After selection, you can edit each photo individually with filters or adjustments. Swiping through them allows you to edit each one.

Step 7: Write a Caption and Share Once your photos are ready, tap 'Next' to add a caption, tag people, or add a location. Sharing to other social networks is also an option here.

Step 8: Post Your Multiphoto After customizing your post, tap 'Share' to post your multiple photos. They will appear as a carousel that your followers can scroll through.

What Types Of Content Can I Post On Instagram?

Instagram gives you a variety of content types to engage with your audience. Here's an overview:

Photos and Carousels: You can share single images or a collection of images in a carousel post. This is great for storytelling or showing multiple angles of a product.

Videos: Upload videos up to 60 seconds in length directly to your feed. If your video is longer, you can post it as an IGTV video.

Reels: Create and share short-form, entertaining videos up to 60 seconds long. Reels offer creative tools including AR effects and music.

Stories: These are photos or videos that disappear after 24 hours. You can make them interactive with features like polls, questions, and stickers.

IGTV: For longer video content, IGTV allows uploads up to 60 minutes long from a web browser or 15 minutes from a mobile device.

Instagram Live: Broadcast in real-time to connect with your followers. You can host Q&A sessions, interviews, or showcase events as they happen.

Guides: A newer feature, Guides allow you to curate and share content in a scrollable format that's perfect for recommendations, tips, and themed collections.

Here’s a simple breakdown to reference:

• Photos/Carousels: Single or multiple images
• Videos: ≤60 seconds for feed, more for IGTV
• Reels: Short-form videos, up to 60 seconds
• Stories: Ephemeral content with interactive elements
• IGTV: Long-form videos
• Live: Real-time video broadcasts
• Guides: Curated scrollable content

Always ensure your content is engaging, high-quality, and in line with Instagram's community guidelines.

Are There Any Restrictions On Post Content?

When posting on Instagram, you must adhere to their Community Guidelines which outline content that is not permissible. Posts that include the following types of content may be removed or lead to account suspension:

• Violence and Threats: Content that threatens or promotes violence is prohibited, including terrorism, organized crime, and hate groups.
• Self-Injury: You are not allowed to post content that promotes self-harm or suicide.
• Bullying and Harassment: Instagram does not tolerate posts that bully or harass anyone.
• Nudity and Sexual Content: Posting photos or videos that contain sexual acts, nudity, and pornography is against Instagram's policies.
• Hate Speech and Symbols: Content that promotes or glorifies hate speech or symbols is banned.

Instagram also provides the Sensitive Content Control feature, allowing you to manage the type of content you see on your feed to a certain extent. This doesn't remove the content restrictions but helps filter content based on your personal preferences.

Content Type	Allowed	Not Allowed
Graphic Violence		❌
Hate Speech and Symbols		❌
Nudity and Sexual Content		❌
Bullying and Harassment		❌
Self-Injury		❌

It's essential for your account's health to produce content within Instagram's acceptable use policies to avoid any negative repercussions. Ensure you review and comprehend their guidelines before posting.

Can I Post Multiple Photos Or Videos In One Post?

Yes, you can post multiple photos or videos in a single Instagram post, and here's how you can do it:

• Step 1: Tap on the "+" (Plus) icon to start creating a new post.
• Step 2: Tap on the "Select Multiple" button, represented by two overlapping squares.
• Step 3: Scroll through your gallery and select up to 10 photos or videos. You'll notice each selected item will have a number.
• Step 4: After selecting your media, you can drag to reorder them or remove any you change your mind about.
• Step 5: When you're ready, press "Next" to add filters or edit each photo or video individually.
• Step 6: Once editing is complete, press "Next" again to add a caption, tags, location, and other details.
• Step 7: Tap "Share" to publish your post with multiple photos or videos.

Remember, the ability to share a collection of images or videos in a single post provides a more dynamic and engaging storytelling opportunity. Your followers can swipe through the carousel to view all the content. This feature is especially useful for sharing events, tutorials, or a series of related content pieces.

How Can I Share Someone Else's Post On My Profile?

Instagram does not allow you to share someone else's post directly to your profile feed through an in-app feature. However, you can share posts to your story, send them to others via direct message, or use third-party reposting apps to share content to your feed.

Sharing to Your Story:

1. Open the Instagram app and navigate to the post you want to share.
2. Tap the paper airplane icon (share button) located below the post.
3. Select 'Add Post to Your Story' from the options.
4. Edit your story by adding text, stickers, or other effects if desired.
5. Tap 'Send to' and then select 'Your Story' to share it.

Remember that when you share a post to your story, it's visible for only 24 hours and won't appear on your profile feed.

Using Third-Party Reposting Apps:

To share a post to your feed, you'll need to use a third-party app:

1. Download a reputable reposting app from your app store.
2. Follow the app's instructions to link your Instagram account.
3. Use the app to find the Instagram post you want to share.
4. The app will typically add a watermark to give credit to the original poster.
5. Share the post through the app, and it will appear on your Instagram feed.

Always ensure you have permission from the original content creator when reposting their content, especially if the reposting app does not automatically credit the original source.

Is It Possible To Edit a Post After Publication?

Yes, you can edit an Instagram post after it has been published. This functionality is beneficial if you notice a mistake in your caption, want to update location information, or need to tag additional accounts. Below are the steps to edit your Instagram posts:

To edit captions, location, or tags on your post:

1. Go to your Instagram profile.

2. Find and select the post you want to edit.

3. Tap on the three dots (⋮) at the top right corner of the post.

4. Choose 'Edit' from the dropdown menu.

5. Make your desired changes:

   • Caption: Tap the caption text and make your edits.
   • Location: Tap the location text to update or add a location.
   • Tags: Tap the photo to tag people or edit existing tags.

6. Tap the checkmark (✓) or 'Done' to save the changes.

To edit alt text on your post:

• Follow steps 1 to 4 above.
• Choose 'Edit Alt Text' at the bottom left of the photo or video.
• Make your changes and tap 'Done' to save.

Keep in mind that while you can edit captions, locations, tags, and alt text, you cannot change the image or video itself once the post is published. If you need to change the visual content, you'll have to delete the post and upload a new one.