How to Use Instagram Collab Posts & Reels to Boost Engagement

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A complete guide to posting a collab on Instagram as a brand or creator

Co-authored by Jaclyn Nasland and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: January 25, 2023

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What are collab posts on Instagram?

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Creating Instagram Collab Posts for Feed

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Creating Instagram Collab Reels

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Accepting an Instagram Collab Request

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Uses for Collab Posts

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Do you want to increase the reach and visibility of your brand on Instagram? Collab posts are a great tool to double your engagement rate. When you invite another user to join a collab post, the post will appear in the feeds of both your own followers and your collaborator's followers. This can help both parties promote interaction on their posts. You must have a Business or Creator Instagram account to make collab posts and reels. This wikiHow will teach you how to use the Instagram collab feature to co-author Reels and feed posts using your iPhone, iPad, or Android.

Things You Should Know

You must have a professional Instagram account to create collab posts.
Create a post or reel, then tap "Tag People". Tap "Invite Collaborator", search for a user, then tap to add.
Approve a collab post going to your notifications. Tap "Review", then "Accept".

Section 1 of 5:

What are collab posts on Instagram?

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Collab posts allow two Instagram creators to create a post together. This can help influencers and brands who want to increase engagement and interaction on their content.
- To make a collab post or reel, both collaborators must have a Business or Creator Instagram account.
- When creating a collab, you can invite others to share the content. This will share the content to the followers of both users.^{[1]
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- With collab posts, the original poster is the post's main author. They'll be able to determine the collab post's settings and maintain its comments and activity.
- Only the original poster can delete the collab post; the user added as a collaborator can always remove themselves if they want to.

Section 2 of 5:

Creating Instagram Collab Posts for Feed

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1
Open the Instagram app. This is the multicolored camera icon.
- If you aren't logged into Instagram, tap Sign in to do so now or create an account.
2
Create a post. Tap the + on the Home feed in the top-right corner. This will open the New post page.
- Upload images, videos, and filters. Since this is going to be a collab post, be sure to enable high quality uploads.
This will be on the page just before posting. You'll also be able to add a location.
4
Tap Invite Collaborator. This will be the right tab underneath your post preview.
- If you don't see this option, you do not have the proper account type. To switch to a Business account, you can navigate to Settings → Account → Switch to professional account.
5
Add the collaborator. Type in the collaborator's username to search, then tap their profile to add them.
- You'll see their username tagged in your post preview.
This will add the collaborator to your post.
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Tap Share. This will post the collab to your profile and your collaborator's profile.
- Instead of Share, you may see a check mark or Done.
- The collaborator will be added when they approve the request.

Section 3 of 5:

Creating Instagram Collab Reels

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This is the multicolored camera.
2
Create your Reel. Tap the + on your profile tab in the top-right corner, then tap Reel. This will open the Reel creation page.
- Record your Reel and apply filters if desired.
This will be on the page just before posting.
4
Tap Invite Collaborator. This will be the right tab underneath your post preview.
- If you don't see this option, you do not have the proper account type. To switch to a Business account, you can navigate to Settings → Account → Switch to professional account.
5
Add the collaborator. Type in the collaborator's username to search, then tap their profile to add them.
- You'll see their username tagged in your post preview.
This will add the collaborator to your post.
7
Tap Share. This will post the collab to your profile and your collaborator's profile.
- Instead of Share, you may see a check mark or Done.
- The collaborator will be added when they approve the request.

Section 4 of 5:

Accepting an Instagram Collab Request

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1
Open the Instagram app. This resembles a multicolored camera.
- Use this method if you've been invited to join an Instagram collab post.
- If you received a push notification on your mobile device, you can tap it to be redirected to the notification.
If you aren't already on your Home feed, tap the house icon.
3
Tap the invite notification. You'll see an invitation on your Notifications page or within your Direct Messages from the user.
- You'll be redirected to the collab post.
4
Tap Review. This is the blue button below the post image.
- A pop-up menu will open.
This will be in blue. You can also tap Decline if you need to work out more details with the collaborator.

Section 5 of 5:

Uses for Collab Posts

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If you need more followers, collaborating with other influencers can boost your numbers greatly. Since collabs post both to your followers and your collaborator's followers, your reach can easily be multiplied.
As collab posts can only have one other collaborator, this cultivates a more intimate partnership between each party. This helps your audience better understand your shared values and goals as opposed to using broad methods such as hashtags.
Promoting giveaways are a great way to gain activity and engagement with your posts. If you partner with a well-known brand, their reach could extend to your own products or brand.
If you're a popular influencer, collab posts are a great way to bring attention and activity to smaller accounts whose values you want to support. For example, posting a picture of a book and tagging the author as a collaborator is a great way to associate the name, face, and profile to a work.