Instagram Reels are one of the most popular features on the platform, allowing users to share short, engaging videos with music, effects, and creative edits. They’re perfect for showcasing talent, sharing tips, or simply entertaining your audience.
While great for sharing detailed content, they might not enjoy the immediate visibility of Stories. This is why many creators often look for ways to share long Reels on Instagram Story. When the Reel is longer than the usual Instagram Story length, things can get tricky real quick. Instagram Stories only allow videos in 60-second segments, which means longer Reels are often cut off or lose their flow when posted directly.
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Create your own free link in bio page
Ready to simplify your online presence?
With Pushbio, you can;
- Link all your social media profiles together effortlessly.
- Showcase all your content, products, and services in one space.
- Share everything through a single link.
If you’ve ever wanted to post an entire Reels on your Instagram Story without compromising quality or engagement, you probably know of the attached headache. In this guide, we’ll walk you through simple, effective methods to share long Reels on Instagram Story smoothly.
Instagram Stories can last up to 60 seconds per segment. When you upload a video that’s longer than the Story limit, Instagram automatically trims or splits it into multiple segments so it can be viewed seamlessly.
This is why sharing a long Reels directly to your Story may not always display it in full since it will either be shortened or cut into parts, which can interrupt flow and affect viewer engagement.
1. Share a long Reels directly from the Instagram app
One of the easiest ways to share a long Reel to your Instagram Story is by using Instagram’s built-in sharing feature. This method works best if your Reel is within the 60-second time limit for Stories.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Reel you want to share on Instagram.
- Tap the Share icon (the paper plane symbol) below the video.
- Select Add reel to your story from the options.
- Adjust the video’s position, stickers, text, or GIFs to make it more engaging.
- Tap ‘Your Story’ to post. Instagram will automatically display the Reel in full if it’s under 60 seconds.
This is the fastest way to share a long reel on a story without cropping, and it keeps your video in its original quality. However, if your Reel is longer than 60 seconds, you’ll need to use other methods in this guide.
2. Split your long Reels into Story-friendly segments
If your Reel is longer than Instagram’s 60-second Story limit, you might need to split it manually. Doing this gives you more control over video quality, transitions, and flow compared to Instagram’s automatic trimming. This way, you can make sure your audience enjoys the full experience without awkward cuts.
There are dozens of video editing tools to help you make the perfect split including InShot, CapCut, and even Instagram’s own editing tools.
Step-by-step:
- Save the Reel to your device. You can download it from Instagram if it’s yours, or screen record if necessary.
- Open your chosen video editing app and split the video into segments with each no longer than 60 seconds to enjoy more control over pacing.
- Save each segment in the correct order.
- Go to Instagram Stories and upload each clip in sequence. Ensure they play smoothly from one to the next.
This method ensures your long Reels remains high-quality and flows naturally, even if it’s much longer than the Story limit.
3. Share a Reels link in your Story
If your Reels is much longer than Instagram’s 60-second Story limit or you want viewers to watch it directly in your feed, sharing a link is the smartest option. This method is quick, keeps your Story clean, and directs people straight to the full Reel without trimming or splitting.
This method is best used when:
- Your Reel is significantly longer than 60 seconds.
- You want to boost views and engagement on the original post.
- You prefer not to edit or split the video into multiple Story segments.
To share the link to your Reels on your IG Story, follow these steps:
- Copy the Reel link by opening the Reel, tap the three dots, and choose Copy link.
- Go to your Instagram Stories and start a new one.
- Click on the smiley face icon at the top of the screen.
- Add the link using the “Link” sticker from the Story tools.
- Paste your copied link into the space provided.
- Click on ‘Done’ after pasting your link.
- Include engaging text or a call-to-action (CTA) such as “Watch full Reel here!” or “Tap to see the complete video”.
- Post your Stories as usual and it will be available for your audience.
This approach is perfect for keeping your audience engaged while saving time on editing.
While many people are comfortable using Instagram Stories, they often forget that Facebook has the same feature. Sharing your Stories on both platforms helps you reach a wider audience without extra effort. Since Instagram and Facebook are both owned by Meta, you can easily set up your account to post Stories automatically to Facebook.
Here’s how to connect your Instagram to Facebook so your Stories publish on both at the same time:
- Open Instagram and log in.
- Go to your profile by tapping your picture at the bottom right.
- Tap the menu icon (three lines) in the top right.
- Select Settings and privacy.
- Under Your account, tap Accounts Center.
- Choose Sharing across profiles.
- Select your Instagram account under Share from.
- Turn on the switch for Your Instagram Story under Automatically share.
Once enabled, every Story you post on Instagram will also appear on Facebook. In the same Sharing across profiles settings, you can turn on automatic posting for your Instagram Reels and feed posts, making it even easier to stay active on both platforms.
FAQ
What is the maximum Instagram story length?
The maximum Instagram Story length is 60 seconds per Story segment. If your video is longer than 60 seconds, Instagram will automatically split it into multiple consecutive Stories so viewers can watch it in sequence.
What is the ideal duration for an Instagram Story?
While Instagram allows each Story segment to be up to 60 seconds, keeping them shorter often works better for engagement. Stories that are 15–30 seconds long tend to hold attention more effectively, especially if they’re visually engaging and straight to the point.
Wrapping up
Sharing longer videos on Stories doesn’t have to be complicated. There are viable options that allow you to share your Reels and still maintain the flow of your content. Whether you use Instagram’s built-in sharing feature, split your Reel into shorter clips, or add a link for viewers to watch the full version, you now have several ways to make it work. With these methods, you can share a long reel on Instagram Story without losing quality or flow.
