Instagram Will Test a ‘Repost’ Feature
Instagram will be testing a “repost” feature that would allow users to share other people’s posts in their own feeds.
The repost feature was first spotted by social media consultant, Matt Navarra in a video posted on Twitter by Instagram head Adam Mosseri.
In the clip, Mosseri uses his own Instagram account to demonstrate the app’s new Archive feature, but when Mosseri opens his Instagram profile, a repost tab is visible alongside the usual posts, Reels, and tagged photos tabs above his grid.
On Wednesday, Navarra posted a screenshot of Mosseri’s Instagram profile page with a large hand emoji pointing to the repost tab along with the caption, “What’s dis Adam?”
Instagram Reposts Tab on profiles?!
What’s dis Adam? pic.twitter.com/WayWCJGBfx
— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) September 7, 2022
On Thursday, Instagram confirmed that it is planning to test the repost function with a small number of users.
“We’re exploring the ability to reshare posts in Feed – similar to how you can reshare in Stories – so people can share what resonates with them, and so original creators are credited for their work,” a spokesperson from Meta tells TechCrunch.
The repost tab will likely be home to all the posts and Reels that users re-shared on their accounts. According to the screenshot posted by Navarra, the repost tab will appear on users’ profiles alongside the posts, Reels and tagged photos tabs.
While Instagram users can currently share another individual’s post in your Story, this upcoming repost functionality will enable them to share the post to their feed instead.
Instagram currently does not offer a direct way to repost another user’s post on the app. Users who want to reshare posts will often use third-party apps to do this instead.
Reposting has never been available in the main feed part of Instagram app but it is a key feature on Facebook and Twitter. Instagram is likely aware that many of its users already use the Stories share feature and also use direct messages to share posts with friends, and is now trying to give users a better way to widely share posts they like.
Last week, Meta announced that it will allow users to post their NFTs on Instagram and Facebook from one digital wallet linked to both social networks.
Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.
