As creators, it is important to utilize various different media platforms to share content. Instagram and YouTube both offer massive audiences and unique opportunities to share video content. Sometimes, creators will need to learn how to post YouTube videos on Instagram to maximize their viewership.

The first step of how to post YouTube videos on Instagram would be to edit and export your videos correctly from the start. Ideally, when you create your content, you should export different files for each social platform, rather than pulling your YouTube videos to re-share them on a different account.

Things to keep in mind for each social platform would be the video requirements for both Instagram and YouTube. Keep copies of your videos and save your video projects, so you can export YouTube videos directly to Instagram as well as YouTube, and save yourself time and energy. Or use an Instagram video template to format your video perfectly.

The second step of how to share YouTube videos on Instagram only needs to happen if you missed the first step. For instance, if the YouTube video you want to post on Instagram has already been uploaded to YouTube, and you don’t have access to the video file itself. If you have access to the YouTube channel’s Creator Studio, then you should be able to download the video file. 

Note - if you do not have access, maybe there is a reason! Pause and check with the YouTube community guidelines and the copyright ownership of the video you are trying to download.

If you are sure you are allowed to use the video for whichever personal, commercial, or creative use you have intended it for, then proceed to download the file with an online video converter.  You then can edit that video file how you choose, or send it to your phone via email or file share. Remember that Instagram only lets you upload videos from your phone, not your laptop. 

Once the video file is on your phone, you can share it directly to Instagram as a post, reel, story, or IGTV. Different types of content work best on different platforms. Posts are great for permanent, timeless content that tell a story about your brand. Reels are ultra-shareable and great for the algorithm - use them for content that will appeal to anyone, including potential and current customers.

Tutorials, aesthetic posts, and feel-good stories work well here! Stories are perfect for short-form snippets and are a great opportunity to showcase a more fun and casual side of your brand. IGTV is the best option for hosting longer-form content, and will probably work best when you are considering how to share YouTube videos on Instagram. 

When you post YouTube videos on Instagram, use the opportunity to engage with your audience. Respond to comments, share the video in your story, create polls and quizzes around your content to encourage people to interact with it!

You can also take this opportunity to post snippets of your YouTube videos and drive your audience across to your other platforms. Cross-platform promotion is a great way to strengthen the relationship you have with your followers, so they know where they should look for various types of content from your brand. 

Content creators should take this opportunity to make sure their videos are as engaging as possible with quality royalty-free music. If your video file doesn’t have background music, sharing a YouTube video to Instagram is the perfect opportunity to add music.

Uploading the best quality videos is easy when you can add music just by using the Loudly Royalty-free music app (iOS & Android). The built in editor lets you adjust the placement and volume of the song until it’s a perfect fit, and our library of royalty-free music is sure to have the exact vibe that you are looking for in your video.

Whatever your content is, we hope these tips make it easier for you to share it across different platforms.