# How to Post a YouTube Video on Instagram (4 Ways)

> Learn how to post a YouTube video on Instagram: upload your own file as a Reel, trim it to fit, share the link in Stories or your bio, and cross-post Shorts.

Canonical: https://scheduleforyou.com/blog/post-a-youtube-video-on-instagram
Last updated: 2026-10-23

Category: Instagram. 

To post a YouTube video on Instagram, upload the original video file (one you own) directly to Instagram as a Reel or feed video, ideally re-edited to a vertical 9:16 format. Instagram doesn't embed YouTube players, so if you want people to watch on YouTube itself, share the link with a link sticker in your Stories or add it to the links in your bio.

The right method depends on your goal: getting views on Instagram, or sending Instagram followers to your YouTube channel. Below are four legitimate ways to do it, with the sizes you'll need.

## Quick answer: four ways to share a YouTube video on Instagram

| Method | Best for | Clickable link to YouTube? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Re-upload your own video as a Reel | Reaching new people on Instagram | No |
| Post a short clip or trailer | Teasing a longer YouTube video | Via bio or Stories |
| Story with a link sticker | Sending followers to the full video | Yes |
| Link in bio | A lasting route to your channel or latest video | Yes |

Most creators combine them: a clip as a Reel, a Story with a link sticker on launch day, and the link in their bio for the week.

## Before you start: only re-upload videos you own

These methods are for your own videos, or videos you have clear permission to reuse.

- **Your own videos**: you can download them from YouTube Studio or use the original file from your editing project, then upload to Instagram.
- **Someone else's video**: don't download and re-upload it. That can infringe the creator's copyright and break both platforms' rules. Instead, share a link to it in your Story, or ask the creator for permission and the original file.
- **Music and licensed clips**: rights that apply on YouTube don't automatically carry over to Instagram. Audio from YouTube's library or a licensed clip in your video may be muted or removed on Instagram. When in doubt, swap the music for something from Instagram's own audio library.

## Method 1: Re-upload your own YouTube video as a Reel

This is the best way to get your video in front of people on Instagram, because Reels can be recommended to people who don't follow you yet.

### Get your original file

1. **Use the original export** from your editing software. This is the highest-quality version.
2. **Or download it from YouTube Studio.** Open YouTube Studio, go to **Content**, hover over the video, open the options menu (three dots) and choose **Download**. Availability can vary, for example for very long videos.

### Reformat for Instagram

YouTube videos are usually horizontal (16:9). Reels are vertical (9:16), 1080×1920 pixels. You have three options:

1. **Re-edit vertically.** Open the project in your editor, set the canvas to 1080×1920 and reframe each shot so the subject stays in view. This gives the best result.
2. **Stack the video.** Place the horizontal video in the middle of a vertical frame and fill the space above and below with a title and captions.
3. **Upload as is.** Instagram will show it with bars. It works, but the video looks small on a phone.

Our guide to [Instagram Reel size](https://scheduleforyou.com/blog/reel-size-instagram) covers cover images, safe zones and export settings in more detail.

### Trim to fit

Long YouTube videos rarely work as a single Reel. Instagram's Reel length limit has changed several times; at the time of writing, Reels can be up to a few minutes, and the app will tell you if your video is too long. Even within the limit, a shorter cut usually holds attention better:

- **Pick the strongest segment**, such as a key tip, the best reaction or the payoff.
- **Start with the hook.** Don't use the YouTube intro or channel bumper.
- **Add burned-in captions**, since many people watch without sound.

### Upload

1. In the Instagram app, tap **+** and choose **Reel**.
2. Select your edited video.
3. Add audio, text or captions if needed.
4. Choose a cover. Design it at 1080×1920 and keep the key text in the center so it survives the 3:4 crop on your profile grid at the time of writing.
5. Write your caption. Mention that the full video is on YouTube and point people to the link in your bio.
6. Share now or schedule it.

## Method 2: Post a clip or trailer as a teaser

If your goal is to drive viewers to YouTube rather than to get views on Instagram, post a short teaser instead of the whole video.

1. Cut a short, self-contained clip that leaves people wanting more.
2. Upload it as a Reel or as a feed video. Feed videos can use a 4:5 frame (1080×1350), which suits clips cut from horizontal footage better than a square.
3. In the caption, tell people where to find the full video, for example: "Full video on YouTube, link in bio."

Remember that links in Instagram captions aren't clickable, so always send people to your bio or a Story.

## Method 3: Share the link in your Stories

Stories are the only place on Instagram where you can add a tappable link to a specific YouTube video in the content itself.

1. Copy the link to your YouTube video (tap **Share** on the video, then **Copy link**).
2. In Instagram, create a new **Story**.
3. Add a background: a screenshot of your thumbnail, a short clip or a still from the video.
4. Tap the **sticker** icon and choose **Link**.
5. Paste your YouTube URL and customize the sticker text, for example "Watch the full video."
6. Place the sticker where it's easy to tap and away from the top and bottom edges.
7. Share the Story, and consider adding it to a Highlight so it stays visible after 24 hours.

If you want to recommend another creator's video, this is the right way to do it: link to their video rather than re-uploading it.

If your Stories look soft after posting, see [why your Instagram Story looks blurry](https://scheduleforyou.com/blog/why-does-my-instagram-story-look-blurry).

## Method 4: Add the video to your bio links

Your bio is the most permanent place for a link on Instagram. At the time of writing, Instagram lets you add several links to your bio.

1. Go to your profile and tap **Edit profile**.
2. Tap **Links**, then **Add external link**.
3. Paste the URL to your YouTube video or channel and give it a clear title, such as "New video: How I edit Reels."
4. Save.

Update the link each time you publish a new video, and mention "link in bio" in your Reels and posts.

## Cross-posting YouTube Shorts to Instagram

If you make YouTube Shorts, you already have vertical 9:16 video, which is the same shape as a Reel. That makes Shorts the easiest content to share across both platforms.

- **Upload the original file**, not a download that includes another app's watermark. Instagram has said it favors original content and may show reposted content or videos with other platforms' watermarks to fewer people.
- **Check the audio.** If you used music from YouTube's library, replace it with Instagram audio or an original sound.
- **Write a new caption.** Instagram captions can be up to 2,200 characters and support hashtags differently, so adapt the text instead of pasting your YouTube description.
- **Check text placement.** Instagram's buttons and caption overlay sit in slightly different places from YouTube's, so on-screen text may need to move.

If you publish the same video on both platforms regularly, a scheduler can save time. Schedule For You publishes to both YouTube and Instagram, so you can upload the video once, write a YouTube title and description and a separate Instagram caption, and schedule both from the same calendar.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I post a YouTube link on Instagram?

Yes, but only in certain places. Links in captions and comments aren't clickable. Use a link sticker in your Stories or add the link to your bio, where people can tap it to open YouTube.

### Can I embed a YouTube video on Instagram?

No. Instagram doesn't support embedded players from other sites. To show the video on Instagram itself, you need to upload the video file directly, which you should only do with videos you own or have permission to use.

### Is it legal to repost someone else's YouTube video on Instagram?

Not without permission. Downloading and re-uploading someone else's video can infringe their copyright and break both platforms' terms. Share a link to their video in your Story instead, or ask the creator for permission and the original file.

### What size should a YouTube video be for Instagram?

For Reels, use 1080×1920 pixels (9:16). For feed videos, 1080×1350 (4:5) works well for clips cut from horizontal footage. If you need to resize a cover or thumbnail image, the [Instagram photo resizer](https://scheduleforyou.com/tools/instagram-photo-resizer) has presets for each format.

### Why was the music removed from my video on Instagram?

Music licensed for YouTube isn't automatically licensed for Instagram. If Instagram detects copyrighted audio it doesn't have rights to, it may mute the video or limit where it's shown. Replace the track with audio from Instagram's library or an original sound.

## Related

- [All guides](https://scheduleforyou.com/blog)
- [Pricing](https://scheduleforyou.com/pricing)