If you share someone else’s reel on Instagram, they will be able to see that you have shared their reel. When you share a reel, the account that originally posted it is notified and can see who shared their content. So yes, someone can see if you specifically share their reel on Instagram.
How sharing reels works on Instagram
Instagram introduced reels in 2020 as a way for users to create and share short, entertaining videos set to music or audio. Reels can be up to 30 seconds long and offer a range of creative tools like filters, effects, text overlays, AR effects, and more.
When you come across a reel on Instagram that you find funny, interesting, or worth sharing, you have the option to share it. There are a couple ways to share someone else’s reel:
- Tap the Share arrow icon at the bottom of the reel and select where you want to share it – your Instagram story, close friends, or send it directly to people.
- Go to your messages and swipe up to access the reels tray. Find the reel you want to share and tap the paper airplane icon to share to your story, close friends, or direct message.
Once you share a reel, the account that originally posted it will get a notification that you have shared their content. They can see your username and profile picture in the notification.
So if you share someone’s reel to your Instagram story, send it directly to friends, or share it in any other way, the original account is made aware of it.
Why Instagram notifies accounts of shares
There are a few key reasons why Instagram alerts users when their reel is shared by someone else:
- Engagement – Seeing shares and reshares provides content creators with valuable engagement data and helps them know what type of content resonates best with their audience.
- Credit – By notifying the original poster of shares, Instagram gives proper credit to the account that created the content.
- Connections – The share notification can help creators discover new accounts to connect and build relationships with.
- Context – The notification gives the original poster context on how and where their reel is being shared by others.
While some users may not want others to know if they have shared a reel, Instagram’s priority is on protecting content creators and giving them credit for their work. The notifications provide creators with useful analytics and connections.
Controlling your sharing notifications
If you don’t want others to know when you’ve shared their reel, there are a couple options:
- Use Instagram Close Friends – Share reels only with your close friends list, as those shares are not visible to the original poster.
- Download the reel – You can download someone’s public reel to your device and then upload or share it as your own content.
- Screen record – Record your screen while viewing the reel you want to share, then share the screen recording instead.
However, these methods involve extra steps and may come across negatively if discovered. The best approach is to embrace the notifications as a way to support content creators and give them insights into how their reels are being received.
Keep in mind you should always get permission before re-sharing any content that is not explicitly public. And avoid downloading or screen recording reels from private accounts you don’t have permission to access.
Benefits of sharing reels
While the account that originally posted a reel will be notified when you share it, there are lots of benefits to resharing content:
- Discovery – You help expand the reach of reels to new audiences that may not have seen them yet.
- Appreciation – Sharing is a form of flattery and lets creators know you enjoyed their work.
- Entertainment – You get to share fun, engaging videos with your own followers and friends.
- Trends – Resharing reels keeps trends and challenges circulating on Instagram.
As long as you share content from public accounts ethically, resharing reels is a win-win. It’s a core part of how Instagram culture spreads. And the notifications give creators important data.
Is it possible to share anonymously?
There is no built-in way to anonymously share someone else’s reel on Instagram. As mentioned, the closest options are:
- Use Close Friends to share reels visible only to your inner circle.
- Download or screen record the reel to share it indirectly.
But these methods either heavily restrict your audience or involve extra workarounds. Instagram is designed such that all shares are public knowledge to at least the original creator.
Some reasons full anonymous sharing likely isn’t possible include:
- It would allow for misinformation and content to be spread without accountability.
- Creators deserve credit and engagement data for their content being shared.
- The feature could be abused to secretly spread inappropriate or private content.
While anonymity has some upsides, in the world of social media and creating, there’s a need for attribution and consent. So for now, all re-shares are visible on Instagram.
Best practices for sharing reels
Here are some tips for responsibly and effectively sharing reels as a viewer:
- Only share content from public accounts you have permission to access.
- Give credit to the original creator by mentioning their handle.
- Add your own commentary or opinions when sharing to your story.
- Ask permission first if you want to reuse a significant portion of the reel.
- Share reels directly relevant to your audience and niche.
- Use strategic hashtags in your caption to help extend the reach.
- Reshare reels you genuinely enjoy and connect with.
- Let creators know you appreciate them by engaging with their content.
As long as you share thoughtfully and stay on the right side of copyright law, resharing reels can be a fun and mutually beneficial experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see who views your reels?
No, there is currently no way to see exactly who views your reels on Instagram. You can only see the total view count on reels, not individual viewers.
Is there a way to share reels privately?
Yes, you can share an Instagram reel privately by sending it directly via direct message to a friend or through your close friends list. These will not be visible to the original poster.
Can you get in trouble for sharing a reel without credit?
You’re not likely to get in legal trouble for one offense, but repeatedly sharing content without credit can result in copyright strikes. Always credit original creators.
Do I have to ask to share a reel?
You don’t need direct permission to share a public reel from a public Instagram account. But it’s best practice to ask permission before reusing a substantial portion of someone’s creative work.
Can someone tell if you screenshot their reel?
No, there is no way for someone to detect if you screenshot their Instagram reels. Screenshots are private to your device. But consider asking first before screenshotting others’ content.
The Bottom Line
Sharing reels can be a great way to support creators, spread entertaining content, and engage your audience. But remember that original posters are notified when their reels are reshared. Use best practices like crediting creators, asking permission when appropriate, and sharing content that genuinely connects with your audience and brand.
Be a thoughtful content curator, stay within copyright bounds, and leverage the power of sharing reels mindfully. That way, it can be a mutually beneficial experience for viewers and creators alike on Instagram.