How to Share YouTube Videos on Instagram (Stories, Reels, Posts)
TL;DR - Quick Answer
4 min readTips you can use today. What works and what doesn't.
How to Share YouTube Videos on Instagram
Instagram doesn't let you play YouTube videos directly in posts. You have two main options:
- Share a link. Use the link sticker in Stories (viewers tap to open YouTube).
- Upload the video. Download the clip and upload it as a Reel or post.
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Start your free trialMethod 1: Share YouTube Link in Instagram Stories
This works for all Instagram accounts (the 10K follower requirement was removed in 2022).
Step 1: Copy the YouTube video URL
- Open the YouTube video on your phone
- Tap Share → Copy link
Step 2: Create an Instagram Story
- Open Instagram and tap the + icon
- Select Story
- Take a photo or use a background image
Step 3: Add the Link Sticker
- Tap the sticker icon at the top
- Select Link
- Paste the YouTube URL
- Tap Customize sticker text to change what it displays (e.g., "Watch on YouTube")
Step 4: Position and post
- Drag the sticker where you want it
- Add text or other elements
- Tap Your Story to post
When viewers tap the link sticker, YouTube opens in their browser or app.
Method 2: Upload Video as a Reel or Post
Use this method to share the actual video content on Instagram (not just a link).
Important: Only use videos you own or have permission to share.
Step 1: Download the YouTube video
- If it's your video, use the original file
- For others' content, get permission first
Step 2: Edit for Instagram format
- Reels: 9:16 vertical, up to 90 seconds
- Feed posts: 1:1 square or 4:5 vertical, up to 60 seconds
- Use a video editor to crop/resize if needed
Step 3: Upload to Instagram
- Tap + → Reel or Post
- Select the video file
- Add caption, hashtags, and cover image
- In the caption, mention "Full video on YouTube" and direct to link in bio
Method 3: Link in Bio Strategy
For posts (not Stories), Instagram doesn't allow clickable links. Use this workaround:
- Add your YouTube channel or video URL to your bio
- In your post caption, write "Link in bio" or "Watch full video — link in bio"
- Use a link-in-bio tool (Linktree, etc.) if you want to share multiple YouTube videos
Instagram Video Specs
File format: MP4 recommended
Common Questions
Can I post a YouTube video directly on Instagram?
No. Instagram doesn't support embedding YouTube videos. You can either share a link (via Stories link sticker) or download the video and upload it natively.
Does the link sticker work for all accounts?
Yes. Instagram removed the 10K follower requirement for link stickers in October 2022. All accounts can now use link stickers in Stories.
Will YouTube views count if I share on Instagram?
Only if viewers actually click through to YouTube. If you upload the video to Instagram directly, those views count on Instagram, not YouTube.
Can I share someone else's YouTube video?
Only with permission. Downloading and re-uploading someone else's content without permission may violate copyright and Instagram's terms.
Summary
- Stories: Use the link sticker to share a clickable YouTube URL
- Reels/Posts: Download your video and upload it in Instagram's format
- Bio: Add YouTube link to bio and mention it in captions
The link sticker method is fastest for driving traffic to YouTube. Uploading video directly works better for engagement on Instagram itself.
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