How to Use Instagram Collaboration Post Feature

Instagram collaborative posts (or Collab posts) are a great way to connect different Instagram profiles, whether it's brands working with creators, friends sharing content, or even unexpected partnerships. This feature allows you to expand your reach, increase engagement, and tap into another account’s audience without needing to repost content.

But what exactly is this feature, and how can you use it to your advantage? In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Instagram Collabs.

What Is the Instagram Collabs Feature?

Launched in 2021, Instagram Collabs is a feature that allows a single post to have multiple authors. As the name suggests, Collabs are posts where two or more profiles collaborate on Instagram. The content—whether an Instagram Reel, photo, or carousel—appears in all accounts' feeds simultaneously. Best of all, all interactions on the post count equally for each profile. This means likes, shares, comments, and data are fully shared among the authors.

Keep in mind that Instagram Collabs is different from simply tagging someone, and it doesn’t replace the paid partnership tag. If your post involves a paid partnership, you must still use the branded label to tag the brand you are working with.

But why would you use Instagram collabs?

There are many benefits of using the collaborative feature on Instagram. And no, it’s not just for brands and influencer paid partnerships and it can be used by regular users too! You can use it to collaborate with other small business, share a photo from a trip with friends or even a special moment with a loved one.

Here are some reasons why you should be adding Instagram Collab to your social media strategy:

• ‍Expand your reach
  ‍Collaborative posts on Instagram allow your content to be seen by multiple audiences at once. Since the post appears on both your profile and your co-author's, you're instantly expanding your visibility.
• ‍Boost interaction & engagement
  ‍Collabs don’t just increase exposure, but they also encourage more engagement. When your post reaches your collaborator’s audience, their followers are more likely to interact with your content, follow your profile, and become part of your audience. Partnering with the right people can help you attract more engaged followers and potential customers.
• ‍Drive more sales
  ‍Collaborating with influencers or trusted brands can significantly impact your bottom line. Why? Research shows that shows that 69% of consumers trust influencers’ recommendations over information straight from a brand. That is, by partnering with the right people, you can leverage their influence to drive awareness, build trust, and ultimately increase sales (as long as the collaboration feels authentic and well-executed, of course).
• ‍Build connections
  ‍Collaborations are an opportunity to build relationships. Finding the right partners requires understanding their audience, aligning on shared goals, and creating content that resonates with both of your followers. These partnerships, regardless of the brand or profile size, can open doors to future opportunities.
• ‍Avoid duplicate content
  ‍Insta collabs are also a great way to diversify your content. Working with a collaborator often pushes you to think outside the box, since you need to align with your collaborator’s audience. Since you need to align with your collaborator’s audience, you’re more likely to explore different topics, formats, and styles that you might not typically use. This not only makes your profile more dynamic but also prevents repetitive content from appearing across multiple profiles (especially for shared followers).

How to Create a Collaborative Post on Instagram

Now, let's explore, step by step on how to add a collaborator to an Instagram post:

1. Create Your Post

Before inviting collaborators, one person must create and publish the post as the original author.

To get started, open the Instagram app on your phone and tap the “+” button at the bottom center of the screen.

You can use this feature for both Feed posts and Reels. Choose the photo(s) or video(s) you want to post collaboratively, then tap “Next” in the top right corner to proceed.

2. Invite a Collaborator

On the caption page, tap “Tag People”, then select “Invite Collaborator” to open the collaborator search menu.

Use the search bar to find the user you want to invite, then tap their profile to send them a collaboration request.

3. Finalize and Share

Once you've added your collaborator, tap the blue checkmark (✓) in the top right corner to confirm. Make any final edits (such as adding a caption or hashtags), then tap “Share” to publish the post.

What Happens Next?

The post will be live on your feed immediately, but it won’t appear on your collaborator’s profile until they accept the invitation.

How to Accept a Collaboration Invite on Instagram

1. Open Your Instagram DMs

Launch the Instagram app and tap the notifications icon (IG heart icon) in the top right corner to check your collaboration invites. You will see a notification that you have been invited to collaborate.

2. View the Collaboration Invite

Click on the notification from the user who invited you, then tap “Review” to open a pop-up window to review the collaboration request.

3. Accept the Collaboration

Select “Accept” to confirm. Once accepted, the post will automatically appear on your profile as a collaborative post.

And that’s it, easy-peasy! 🎉 Now, the same post will be shared across all collaborators’ feeds.

Instagram Collab: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enable Collab on Instagram?

By default, all Instagram users can use the collaboration feature. There is no need to turn it on or enable it separately. To create a Collab post, simply follow the steps outlined in this article. Once the collaborator accepts the request, the post will appear on both profiles.

Can you add a collaborator on Instagram after posting?

Yes! While you used to only add collaborators before posting, Instagram now lets you invite collaborators even after your post is live. Simply edit your post, tap “Tag People,” and select “Invite Collaborator” to add someone new.

Is Instagram Collab only for public accounts?

No, private accounts can also participate in Collab posts. However, the visibility of the post will depend on the privacy settings of the accounts involved. If one account is private, the post will only be visible to their approved followers.

How many Instagram users can you invite to a Collab post?

Currently, you can invite up to five collaborators to a single Instagram Collab post. This means the post will appear on all invited accounts’ profiles, sharing engagement across multiple audiences.

How are Instagram Collab posts different from tagging or mentions?

Collab posts go beyond tagging and mentions. When you tag someone, the post remains on your profile, and the tagged person is simply notified. Mentions work similarly, appearing in captions or comments without linking the post to another account. With Collab posts, the content appears on all co-authors' profiles, sharing views, likes, and comments.

Can you create Collab posts on a desktop?

No, Instagram Collab posts can only be created using Instagram mobile app. This feature is not available on the desktop version or via Meta Business Suite.

Can I boost a Collab post on Instagram?

Yes, you can promote a collaborative post. However, both accounts involved must have a professional or business profile and have the option to promote posts enabled.

What types of content can you collaborate on?

Instagram Collabs can be used on:

• Feed posts (photos and carousel posts)
• Reels (short-form videos)

Currently, Collab posts are not available for Instagram Stories or live videos.

What Happens If I Decline a Collab Invitation?

There are no penalties for declining a Collab on Instagram. Your profile simply won’t be listed as a collaborator and won’t appear on your profile, but the post will still be visible on the original creator’s feed.