Blog > Instagram > Can You See Who Shared Your Instagram Post?

Can You See Who Shared Your Instagram Post?

Reading Time:

Today, we all live in a society where viral content and digital clout are two of the most powerful forces. These two can come together to enhance your visibility and influence, while also increasing your opportunities in the online world. As you may already know, Instagram is one of the many in-demand social media platforms that use engagement to amplify your reach. Irrespective of whether you are a content creator, a small business owner, or a basic user, it is normal to want to know who is consuming the content you post online. 

Hence, let us break down the age-old question: How do I know who shared my post on Instagram?

 

The Short Answer…

Instagram post showing a woman holding a black dog with likes and comments visible under the post.

In short, it is not possible to find out who shares your posts on Instagram since this engagement can be conducted via DMs or reshares on someone’s private feed. However, that does not mean you have to give up on your curiosity because there are a few workarounds and insights that you may strategically use to acquire information. 

Let’s take a deeper dive to find out how you can achieve this target!

 

What Instagram Lets You See?

User privacy is quite an integral part of Instagram’s system. This means that you won’t be able to view or get a notification when somebody shares your post via Direct Message (DM). However, if you switch your personal profile to a Business or Creator one, you will unlock a new feature called Insights. This tool will enable you to acquire more information regarding your content, including who shared your post. 

The few known ways you can check the reshares are:

1. Post Insights

Screenshot of Instagram Creator Tools showing post insights with metrics like views, interactions, followers, and content shared.

Once you switch your account to a Professional or Business version, every post will receive an “Insights” button. You can tap on it to have access to several data, such as:

  • How many people shared your post (represented by a paper plane icon)
  • Reach
  • Impressions
  • Saves

While Instagram does not show exactly who shared your content, it does let you see how many people have shared it. This is an important tool because it will help you understand how relevant the content is to your audience. When you want to buy Instagram shares, this data can assist you track the fruits of your labor.

 

2. Story Reshares

The next way you can discover who shared your content on Instagram is through their story. If their account is public or you follow them through your profile, you will get to watch it for 24 hours. Once the time period exceeds, you will get a “This story is unavailable” message, which is an indicator that you cannot view the reshare anymore.

Here’s how you can check the reshares:

  • Tap the three dots on your post. 
  • Click “View Story Reshares“. 

When you open this window, you will come across a list of ongoing reshares that other users may have added to their own Instagram stories. Keep in mind that this feature is only available under several conditions and will disappear once the 24-hour window closes.

 

3. Tags and Mentions

Tags and mentions are two more details that add slightly more transparency to your profile. If somebody tags or mentions you when sharing your post, you will receive a notification that will lead you to the reshare. It is a guaranteed way because the tags will be available in your Activity Feed and Direct Messages.

What Instagram Keeps Hidden?

Before you look for post reshares, take into account that there are a few kinds of post-sharing that are meant to be completely anonymous. This includes:

  • DM Shares: Users can send your post in private messages.
  • Private Stories: If someone with a private profile shares your post in a Story without tagging you, you won’t be notified or see the reshare.
  • Feed Reposts via Screenshot: If someone takes a screenshot and posts your content manually, you won’t be notified unless they tag you.

These rules are present on Instagram to make sure people can enjoy their privacy while reducing the possibility of misunderstandings and suspicious behavior.

 

Why Can’t I See Who Shared My Post on Instagram?

Do you ever feel frustrated when you wish to monitor your content performance but cannot do so because of Instagram’s privacy limitations? If yes, here are a few reasons that will explain why these regulations are necessary:

  • User Privacy: Knowing who shares your content, especially via private channels, could lead to unwanted messages or pressure.
  • Encouraging Sharing: If users knew they were being tracked every time they shared a post, they might do it less.
  • Reducing Spam: Public share-tracking could open doors to aggressive engagement farming and unsolicited follow-ups.

 

How to Make the Most of What You Can See?

If you wish to utilize all these data to grow your account, do not let the restrictions discourage you. You can use the available features to boost your engagement without any difficulty. Here’s how you can do so:

1. Optimize for Engagement

Create content that can draw people’s attention by stirring emotions in them. Make sure your posts have value and are provocative enough for users to engage with them. The increased reach will help you understand the amount of engagement your content is receiving.

2. Encourage Tagging

Before posting your content on your profile, add an intriguing CTA to encourage people to interact with it. “Share this to your Story and tag me!” or “Tag a friend who needs to see this!” are some of the one-liners you can add to boost interaction. Once users start doing so, you will receive a notification without fail. Other than that, you can also include platform-specific tips like Guide to Make a Post Shareable on Facebook for users to draw more attention.

3. Use Third-Party Tools Wisely

If you are open to it, you may also take the help of a few third-party analytics tools to get the information you want. Some of these platforms allow you to assess audience behavior, including post interactions. However, be careful when sharing your information to prevent compromising your account.

 

Final Thoughts

Although you may not be able to find out who shared your Instagram post every time, you can notice its impact easily. Switch to a Business or Creator account today to improve your posting strategy. Use the tools at your disposal to create worthy content and you will notice the fruits of your labor within a few days. Keep creating, keep connecting, and let the rest take care of itself!

Article by

Creative marketer with expertise in Web3, social media strategy and execution. Skilled at scaling projects from the ground up, building engaged communities, and integrating into cross-functional teams. Experienced in blockchain and crypto marketing, with a passion for storytelling and data-driven strategies to elevate brands. Focused on a mission, rather than a career. Finding myself inspired by the purpose bigger than just a salary - learning as much as possible and making a difference. Linkedin

Read next

Enter Username