How to Share a YouTube Video on Instagram: A Complete Guide

To share a YouTube video on Instagram, you can either share the link directly in your bio or caption, or create a short video clip from YouTube and upload it to your Instagram feed, stories, or reels. Be sure to credit the original content creator.

Sharing YouTube videos on Instagram is a great way to spread content across multiple platforms. Whether you’re a content creator, marketer, or just someone who wants to share a funny or informative video, Instagram offers multiple ways to share YouTube videos. However, there are some limitations due to Instagram’s restrictions and format differences.

In this article, we’ll explore various ways to share a YouTube video on Instagram, whether you want to share a link, upload a video, or even convert content for the platform. We will also discuss the best practices, tips, and tricks to make your shared content more engaging and accessible to your followers.

Why Share YouTube Videos on Instagram?

Before diving into the different ways to share YouTube videos on Instagram, let’s first consider why you might want to do this. Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, and it’s a great tool for building brand awareness, increasing engagement, and even driving traffic to your YouTube channel. Sharing YouTube videos on Instagram is an effective way to:

1. Increase Audience Reach: Instagram has a large and diverse audience, making it an excellent platform for sharing video content. If you can grab attention on Instagram, you could potentially drive traffic to your YouTube channel.

2. Drive Traffic to YouTube: Instagram allows you to add links to your stories (for accounts with over 10k followers) or in your bio. This can be a useful way to promote YouTube videos and encourage your followers to click through.

3. Showcase Engaging Content: Sharing YouTube videos on Instagram can showcase your creativity and keep your audience engaged. Instagram’s diverse features, such as stories, reels, and IGTV, offer different ways to engage your followers with YouTube content.

Methods to Share YouTube Videos on Instagram

1. Share YouTube Video Link in Bio

The easiest way to share a YouTube video on Instagram is by posting the video’s link in your bio. Instagram doesn’t allow clickable links in regular posts or captions, but you can add a URL to your bio, and encourage your followers to check out the video by including a call to action (CTA) in your posts.

Steps to Add a YouTube Video Link to Your Bio:

1. Go to your Instagram profile.
2. Tap “Edit Profile.”
3. In the “Website” section, paste the URL of the YouTube video.
4. Save changes.
5. Post a story or a regular post telling your followers to check the link in your bio.

Tip: Update your bio frequently with different YouTube links to share more videos.

2. Share the YouTube Video on Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories offer a fun and interactive way to share content. While Instagram doesn’t allow direct video links, you can create a short snippet of your YouTube video and share it on your story.

Steps to Share a YouTube Video on Instagram Stories:

1. Open the YouTube app or website and find the video you want to share.
2. Use a screen recorder to record a small portion of the YouTube video or take a screenshot.
3. Open Instagram, and swipe right to access your stories.
4. Upload the screen recording or screenshot you captured.
5. Use the “Link” sticker (if available) or direct people to your bio to watch the full video.

Tip: Instagram stories only last for 24 hours, so make sure to add a sense of urgency in your story to encourage engagement.

3. Share the YouTube Video on Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels have become a popular way to share short video content. You can use Reels to create short, engaging clips from YouTube videos. This method works best for videos that have dynamic or visually interesting content.

Steps to Share YouTube Video Clips on Instagram Reels:

1. Use a video editing tool or app to trim the YouTube video into a short 15-30 second clip.
2. Open Instagram and go to the “Reels” section.
3. Upload the video clip to your Reels.
4. Add captions, music, or any other features Instagram offers.
5. Include a call-to-action, such as “Check out the full video on YouTube. Link in bio!”

Tip: The shorter and more engaging the clip, the more likely your followers will check out the full YouTube video.

4. Upload YouTube Videos Directly to Instagram Feed (With Permission)

You can download YouTube videos and upload them directly to your Instagram feed. However, it is important to note that you should have permission from the video creator or the rights to the content before doing so. YouTube videos are protected by copyright, and uploading videos without permission could result in legal consequences.

Steps to Download and Upload YouTube Videos:

1. Use a YouTube downloader tool (like 4K Video Downloader or SaveFrom.net) to download the video to your device.
2. Open Instagram and go to the “+” icon to create a new post.
3. Select the video from your camera roll or gallery.
4. Add relevant captions and hashtags.
5. Post it to your feed, ensuring you credit the original creator if it’s not your video.

Tip: Always ensure the content you’re uploading complies with Instagram’s and YouTube’s community guidelines to avoid any issues.

5. Using Instagram’s IGTV Feature

Instagram’s IGTV allows you to upload longer videos, making it ideal for sharing full-length YouTube videos. However, Instagram has a file size limit for videos uploaded to IGTV, so you may need to trim or edit the video accordingly.

Steps to Share YouTube Video on IGTV:

1. Download the YouTube video (with permission).
2. Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
3. Tap the “+” icon and select “IGTV Video.”
4. Upload the video file and add a captivating title and description.
5. Include a CTA to check out more videos on your YouTube channel or website.

Tip: Make your IGTV video thumbnail eye-catching to attract viewers.

Best Practices for Sharing YouTube Videos on Instagram

1. Use Relevant Hashtags

Hashtags play a significant role in helping your content get discovered. Use relevant hashtags to categorize the video and make it more searchable on Instagram.

Example Hashtags:

• #YouTube
• #YouTubeVideo
• #VideoOfTheDay
• #YouTubeContent
• #VideoShare

Make sure to combine popular hashtags with niche-specific ones to increase your chances of discovery.

2. Create Engaging Captions

Engaging captions can help capture your followers’ attention. Start with an interesting hook or question, and end with a call to action.

Example:
“Ever wondered how to make the perfect cup of coffee? Check out my latest YouTube video for all the tips! Link in bio ☕️”

3. Use Stories and Highlights for Permanent Sharing

Since Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours, consider saving them to your highlights for permanent access. This is especially useful if you have multiple videos or want to give followers a consistent place to access your YouTube videos.

4. Respect Copyright Laws

When sharing content from YouTube, always respect copyright laws. If the video is not yours, make sure to get permission from the content creator before sharing it on Instagram.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I share a full YouTube video on Instagram?

No, Instagram doesn’t allow full-length videos to be uploaded directly. You can, however, share a short snippet or upload the video via IGTV if it meets the platform’s requirements.

2. How do I add a clickable link to my Instagram post?

Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t allow clickable links in captions. However, you can add a link to your bio or use the “Link” sticker in your Instagram stories (available for business accounts or accounts with over 10k followers).

3. Can I upload a YouTube video to Instagram without editing it?

You can, but Instagram videos have certain limitations in terms of length and size. Therefore, you may need to edit or trim the video to fit Instagram’s format.

4. How do I promote my YouTube channel on Instagram?

Share snippets of your YouTube videos in your Instagram feed, stories, or reels. You can also share the link to your channel in your bio and encourage your followers to check it out.

5. Why isn’t my YouTube video link clickable on Instagram posts?

Instagram only allows clickable links in bios and stories (for users with over 10k followers). For posts, the link is not clickable, so you have to encourage followers to visit your bio for the link.

Conclusion

Sharing YouTube videos on Instagram can be a powerful strategy to grow your audience, promote content, and engage with your followers. By using methods like sharing links in your bio, uploading video clips to your feed, or utilizing Instagram Stories and Reels, you can effectively spread your YouTube content on Instagram.

Make sure to use the right formats, stay within the guidelines, and engage your audience with creative captions and calls to action. With a little planning, you can maximize your content’s visibility and drive traffic from Instagram to your YouTube channel.