How to Share YouTube Videos on Instagram Stories: A Complete Guide

Instagram Stories are a powerful tool for engaging your audience, sharing quick updates, and driving traffic to your other online content. YouTube, on the other hand, is the go-to platform for video content. Wouldn’t it be great to combine these two platforms? While you can’t directly upload a YouTube video to your Instagram Story (as Instagram doesn’t allow direct video uploads from other platforms), there are several effective workarounds. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you can seamlessly integrate your YouTube content into your Instagram Stories.

Why Share YouTube Videos on Instagram Stories?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why sharing YouTube videos on Instagram Stories is a smart move:

• Increased Visibility: Instagram Stories are highly visible. People often check Stories before scrolling through their feed. This provides an excellent opportunity to capture attention.
• Driving Traffic: You can direct your Instagram followers to your YouTube channel, increasing views, subscribers, and overall engagement on YouTube.
• Cross-Promotion: Promote your YouTube content to a new audience who might not be aware of your channel.
• Engagement: Stories allow for interactive elements like polls, questions, and quizzes, making the experience more engaging for your audience. You can use these features to gauge interest in your YouTube content.
• Content Variety: Diversifying your content with short, attention-grabbing snippets from your YouTube videos can keep your audience interested.

Method 1: Sharing a YouTube Video Link Directly to Your Instagram Story

This is the simplest and most common method. It involves sharing the YouTube video link directly to your story. When viewers tap the link, they’ll be redirected to YouTube to watch the video.

Step 1: Get the YouTube Video Link

1. Open the YouTube App or Website: Go to the YouTube app on your mobile device or visit YouTube.com on your computer.
2. Find the Video: Search for the YouTube video you want to share on Instagram Stories.
3. Tap the ‘Share’ Button: Below the video, you’ll find a ‘Share’ button. Tap on it.
4. Copy the Link: A pop-up will appear with various sharing options. Select ‘Copy’ (or ‘Copy Link’). The video’s URL will be copied to your clipboard.

Step 2: Create Your Instagram Story

1. Open Instagram: Launch the Instagram app on your mobile device.
2. Access Story Creation: Tap on your profile picture in the top left corner (or swipe right from the feed) to start creating a new story.
3. Capture or Upload Content: You can either take a photo or video directly within the Instagram app, or upload one from your camera roll. This will serve as the background for your story.
4. Alternatively, use a solid color background: If you want a simple background, tap the pen icon (usually at the top) select a color and tap and hold on the screen to fill the background with that color.

Step 3: Add the YouTube Link to Your Story

1. Tap the ‘Sticker’ Icon: Look for the sticker icon (a square smiley face) at the top of your screen. Tap on it.
2. Find the ‘Link’ Sticker: In the sticker menu, you’ll see a variety of options. Scroll through them until you find the ‘Link’ sticker. (If you don’t see it, make sure your Instagram app is updated to the latest version).
3. Paste the YouTube Link: Tap on the ‘Link’ sticker. A field will appear where you can paste the copied YouTube link. Paste the link into the field.
4. Customize the Link Sticker Text (Optional): Instagram usually populates the sticker with the website’s name. However, you can customize the text displayed on the sticker to something more engaging, like ‘Watch Now!’, ‘New Video!’, or ‘Check it Out!’. Tap on the sticker text to edit it.

Step 4: Customize Your Story (Optional)

Make your story more visually appealing and engaging with these additions:

• Text: Use the text tool to add a title, description, or call to action. Choose a font that matches your brand and is easy to read.
• Stickers: Explore other stickers like polls, quizzes, questions, countdowns, and GIFs to make your story more interactive and fun.
• Drawings: Use the drawing tool to add doodles, arrows, or highlights to your story.
• Music: Add background music to enhance the viewing experience. Choose a song that complements the mood of your video or story.

Step 5: Post Your Story

1. Review Your Story: Before posting, take a final look at your story to ensure everything looks and works as intended. Tap on the link sticker to make sure it directs to the correct YouTube video.
2. Share Your Story: Tap on the ‘Your Story’ button at the bottom left of the screen to share your story with your followers. You can also choose to send it to a specific group of close friends.

Method 2: Creating a Short Video Snippet and Linking to YouTube

This method involves creating a short, attention-grabbing video snippet from your YouTube video and then linking to the full video on YouTube. This is a great way to entice viewers to click through and watch the entire video.

Step 1: Create a Video Snippet

You’ll need to use a video editing tool to create a short clip from your YouTube video. Here are a few options:

• Mobile Video Editing Apps:
  • iMovie (iOS): A free and user-friendly video editing app for iPhone and iPad users.
  • InShot (iOS & Android): A popular app with a wide range of features, including trimming, adding text, and filters.
  • CapCut (iOS & Android): A free and powerful video editing app owned by TikTok, offering advanced features and effects.
  • FilmoraGo (iOS & Android): Another excellent option with a user-friendly interface and various editing tools.
• Desktop Video Editing Software:
  • Adobe Premiere Pro: A professional-grade video editing software (paid).
  • Final Cut Pro (Mac): A professional video editing software exclusive to Mac users (paid).
  • DaVinci Resolve: A free (with a paid Studio version) and powerful video editing software.
  • HitFilm Express: A free video editing software with a good range of features.

Instructions for Creating a Snippet (General):

1. Download your YouTube video: Use a reputable YouTube downloader website or software to download the video you want to create a snippet from. Be mindful of copyright restrictions and only download your own videos or videos that you have permission to use. There are many online youtube downloaders available, just search on google.
2. Import the Video into your Editing Software: Import the downloaded video file into your chosen video editing app or software.
3. Trim the Video: Use the trimming tools to select a short segment of the video (ideally 15-60 seconds). Choose a segment that is engaging, highlights the key points of the video, or creates a sense of intrigue.
4. Add Text and Graphics (Optional): Add text overlays to provide context or a call to action (e.g., ‘Watch the Full Video on YouTube!’). You can also add graphics, logos, or animations to enhance the visual appeal of the snippet.
5. Export the Snippet: Export the trimmed video snippet in a format compatible with Instagram (MP4 is recommended). Choose a resolution and frame rate that look good on mobile devices.

Step 2: Upload the Video Snippet to Your Instagram Story

1. Open Instagram: Launch the Instagram app on your mobile device.
2. Access Story Creation: Tap on your profile picture in the top left corner (or swipe right from the feed) to start creating a new story.
3. Upload the Snippet: Select the video snippet you created from your camera roll to upload it to your story.

Step 3: Add the YouTube Link and Call to Action

1. Tap the ‘Sticker’ Icon: Look for the sticker icon (a square smiley face) at the top of your screen. Tap on it.
2. Find the ‘Link’ Sticker: In the sticker menu, find the ‘Link’ sticker.
3. Paste the YouTube Link: Paste the YouTube link into the field provided in the link sticker.
4. Customize the Link Sticker Text: Change the text on the link sticker to something like ‘Watch Full Video’, ‘See More’, or ‘Click Here to Watch!’.
5. Add Text Overlay: Use the text tool to add a clear call to action on the video itself, such as ‘Swipe Up to Watch’, ‘Link in Bio’, or an arrow pointing to the link sticker.

Step 4: Enhance Your Story (Optional)

• Add Stickers: Use relevant stickers to add more context and engagement to your story.
• Use Polls or Questions: Add a poll or question asking viewers if they’ve seen the full video or what they think about the topic.
• Background Music: Add music to create an atmosphere.

Step 5: Post Your Story

1. Review Your Story: Ensure the video snippet plays correctly and the link works.
2. Share Your Story: Post your story to your profile.

Method 3: Using Instagram’s Swipe Up Link (If Eligible)

Note: The ‘Swipe Up’ link feature was replaced with the Link sticker, but understanding its previous functionality is helpful.

Previously, if you had over 10,000 followers or a verified account, you were eligible to use the ‘Swipe Up’ link feature. This allowed viewers to simply swipe up on your story to be taken directly to your YouTube video. While the Link sticker is now the standard, the concept remains the same – providing a direct, easy-to-access link.

The steps would have been similar to Method 2, but instead of a Link sticker, you’d select the ‘Swipe Up’ option and paste your YouTube URL.

Tips for Success

• Optimize for Mobile Viewing: Ensure your video snippets are optimized for mobile viewing. Use a vertical aspect ratio (9:16) and clear visuals.
• Keep it Short and Sweet: Instagram Stories are designed for short, attention-grabbing content. Keep your video snippets concise and engaging.
• Use High-Quality Visuals: High-quality videos are more appealing and professional-looking.
• Add Captions: Many people watch Instagram Stories with the sound off. Add captions to your video snippets to ensure they can understand the content.
• Create a Compelling Call to Action: Clearly tell viewers what you want them to do (e.g., ‘Watch the Full Video!’, ‘Click the Link Below!’).
• Use Story Highlights: Save your YouTube promotion stories to your Instagram profile’s Story Highlights. This allows new visitors to easily discover your YouTube content. Create a highlight reel specifically for YouTube videos.
• Post Consistently: Regularly promote your YouTube videos on Instagram Stories to keep your audience engaged.
• Track Your Results: Use Instagram’s Insights to track the performance of your stories and see how many people are clicking on your links. This helps you understand what types of content resonate best with your audience.
• Engage with Comments and DMs: If viewers respond to your stories with questions or comments, be sure to engage with them. This builds relationships and encourages further interaction.
• Cross-Promote on YouTube: Mention your Instagram in your YouTube videos and encourage viewers to follow you on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and updates.
• Use Relevant Hashtags: Though less important for stories, consider adding relevant hashtags to your story posts if they have a text component. This may help with discoverability.
• Design a Consistent Brand Aesthetic: Make sure your Instagram stories align with your brand’s overall visual style. This creates a cohesive brand experience for your audience.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Link Sticker Not Working:
  • Update Instagram: Make sure you have the latest version of the Instagram app installed.
  • Check Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
  • Try a Different Link: Test the link sticker with a different URL to see if the issue is with the YouTube link itself.
  • Clear Cache: Try clearing the Instagram app’s cache.
  • Reinstall Instagram: If none of the above solutions work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Instagram app.
• Video Snippet Quality is Poor:
  • Use High-Resolution Video: Start with a high-resolution YouTube video.
  • Choose the Right Export Settings: When exporting your video snippet, choose settings that preserve the quality (e.g., high bitrate, appropriate frame rate).
  • Check Instagram’s Compression: Instagram compresses videos when you upload them. Try slightly increasing the bitrate of your exported video to compensate for this.
• Low Engagement:
  • Improve Content: Focus on creating more engaging and relevant content.
  • Experiment with Different Formats: Try different types of video snippets, text overlays, and stickers.
  • Promote Your Stories: Let your followers know about your Instagram Stories on your other social media platforms.
  • Post at Optimal Times: Analyze your Instagram Insights to determine when your audience is most active and post your stories accordingly.

Conclusion

Sharing your YouTube videos on Instagram Stories is a powerful way to expand your reach, drive traffic to your channel, and engage with your audience on a different platform. By following the steps outlined in this guide and implementing the tips provided, you can effectively integrate your YouTube content into your Instagram strategy and achieve your desired results. Remember to track your results, adapt your approach based on what works best for your audience, and always strive to create engaging and valuable content.