How to Use Instagram Collab Posts？

What is an Instagram Collab post

Instagram Collabs are shared feed posts co - authored by several accounts on the platform. When the initial poster creates a post, they can extend an invitation to other accounts to join the Collab. Once the invited collaborators accept, the post will appear in the feeds of all participating accounts.

This collaborative posting option is applicable to various types of feed content, including Reels, single photos, and carousels. However, it does not apply to Instagram Stories.

Instagram collaboration posts offer more than just tagging or traditional brand partnerships. Regardless of who initiates the post, it will be displayed in the feeds of every collaborator, maximizing its reach.

Instagram first rolled out this well - received feature in late 2021, initially allowing collaboration between two accounts. In 2023, the platform updated it to permit up to six accounts to work together on a single post (one original poster and five collaborators). It's important to note that Collab posts can only be created using the mobile app; the web version of Instagram does not support this functionality.

How do Instagram Collab posts work

Instagram explains that when two accounts create a Collab post:

All participating account names will be prominently displayed at the top of the post.

The post will be distributed to the follower bases of every collaborating account.

It will be visible on the profile grids of all involved accounts.

Views, likes, and comments are shared among all the collaborating accounts.

It’s crucial to understand that although all collaborators share in the post’s dissemination and engagement, the original poster retains ownership. Consequently, if the original poster deletes the post or deactivates their account, the post will vanish from all feeds.

If the original poster changes their account to private, access to the post will be restricted to their followers only. On the other hand, it’s feasible to invite private accounts to collaborate. However, they must approve any new follow requests generated by the post.

Here’s an illustration of how Collab posts are presented in the Instagram feed. In this example, Buffer and additional accounts are shown as the Reel’s creators. When you tap on “other,” collaborator Kirstie Wang’s Instagram profile is revealed. Had the collaboration involved just one other profile, Kirstie’s username would have been directly displayed instead.

The benefits of Instagram Collab posts

Instagram collaboration posts present an excellent opportunity to showcase content on the platform alongside your partners, such as other small enterprises, brands, and content creators. They provide a potent yet straightforward and effective means of expanding the reach of your content, which can yield the following advantages:

Enhanced Visibility: Unlike regular posts that reach only your own audience, collaboration posts enable you to share content with the followers of your co - authors. This significantly broadens the viewership of your posts, thereby enhancing your overall brand recognition.

Greater Follower Growth: With increased visibility comes greater discoverability! The Instagram collaboration feature ensures that your posts appear in more users' feeds. It serves as an ideal platform to introduce your content to new audiences and offers a prime opportunity for growth on the platform. Moreover, these collaborative posts can be perceived as an endorsement from your co - authors, prompting their followers to consider following your account as well.

Heightened Engagement: Given the expanded exposure, there is a high likelihood that more users will interact with your collaboration posts. This is precisely what the Instagram algorithm favors! As a result, such posts tend to generate more likes, comments, and shares compared to regular Instagram posts that are only visible to your own followers.

How to create an Instagram Collab post

If you want to create a Collab post with another Instagram account, the first step is to extend an invitation to that account, asking them to be your collaborator. Once they accept, the post will be published simultaneously on both your account and theirs.

It's important to note that the original creator retains ownership of the post. So, if they decide to delete it, the post will disappear from the collaborator's account as well. Additionally, the original author must have a public profile in order to create a Collab post.

Here’s how to get started: First, tap the + icon to initiate a new post. Then, upload your desired image or Reel. After that, compose a caption, and you can optionally add a location, hashtags, or any other features you think will enhance the post. Finally, select the option to Tag people.

Next, tap on “Invite collaborator.” It’s crucial to avoid selecting “Add tag,” as choosing this option will prevent the post from showing up in the other account’s feed.

Then, search for the desired account and tap on its profile. You can repeat this process to include up to five additional accounts in the collaboration. Once you’ve added all the collaborators you want, tap “Done.”

When everything is set, tap “Share.” Your potential collaborators will then receive a notification asking them to join you in creating the post. Until they accept the invitation, the content will seem to be posted only by you. But once they do accept, the post will be visible on their profile grids and in their feeds.

To initiate a collaboration:

Tap "Invite collaborator" (avoid selecting "Add tag," as this won’t display the post in their feed).

Search for the desired account and select their profile. Repeat to add up to five collaborators, then tap Done.

When ready, tap Share. Collaborators will receive a notification to approve the post. Until they accept, the content will appear only under your account. Once approved, the post will automatically publish to their profiles and feeds.

How to accept an Instagram Collab post invite

When a brand collaborates with a content creator, allowing the creator to share and take ownership of the content can lend a more genuine feel to the partnership. In the case of a collaboration between two creators or influencers, the decision of who initiates the post is entirely up to you; there’s no one - size - fits - all approach to Instagram collaborations.

If you've been invited to collaborate on a post, you'll find a notification in the messaging or direct message section of the Instagram app. Here's the step - by - step guide to accepting the invitation:

Open the Instagram app and tap the messages icon located in the top - right corner of your feed.

Select the conversation with your collaboration partner to view the request.

Tap on the collaboration invitation.

Then, tap Review.

Finally, tap Accept.

Should you wish to decline a collaboration request, simply follow the same steps and tap Decline instead.

How are Instagram Collabs different from tagging

That's a really good question! Instagram Collabs stand apart from tags and mentions in several key ways. With Instagram Collabs, the post will show up in your collaborator’s feed and be shared with their followers. In contrast, a regular tag or mention remains confined to your own feed and audience; it won't be distributed further.

Another significant difference lies in the acceptance process. When you tag someone, they don't need to "accept" the tag for it to appear in relation to the post. The tagged post is automatically added to their profile, but unlike a Collab post, it won't be prominently displayed on their main Instagram grid. Instead, it will only be visible in the tagged feed, which can be accessed by tapping the tag icon to the right of their profile, adjacent to the Reels view.

It’s also important to remember that while you can mention other accounts in your Instagram Stories, you can’t add collaborators to them. Instagram Collab posts are exclusive to Instagram feed content, including photos, carousels, and Reels.