Instagram Collabs are a cool new feature that can seriously boost your presence on the platform. By teaming up with up to five other accounts, you can share posts—whether Reels, photos, or carousels—and reach a wider audience by partnering with other brands, creators, or even your best business buddy.
Curious how it works? Let’s break down how to create an Instagram Collab post, why it’s more powerful than a regular tag, and how to use it to your advantage.
What Exactly Is an Instagram Collab Post And How Does It Work?
An Instagram Collab post lets you co-author content with other accounts. Here’s how it works:
- The person who creates the post (aka the “original author”) invites up to five other accounts to collaborate.
- Invited accounts can accept or decline the invite.
- Once accepted, the post shows up on both profiles and is shared with both sets of followers.
Cool, right? Your names appear together at the top of the post, and likes, comments, and views are shared between all collaborators. It’s like a digital high-five that benefits everyone involved.
A few things to note:
- The original poster “owns” the content. If they delete it or deactivate their account, the post disappears from everyone’s feed.
- If the original account turns private, only their followers will see the post—even if it’s shared with others.
- Collab posts are for feed content only (Reels, single images, carousels). Stories are a no-go.
- You’ll need the Instagram mobile app to create a Collab post. No desktop shortcuts here!
Why Use Instagram Collab Posts?
Wondering why you should bother with Collabs when you can just tag someone? This is why!
More Exposure (Without Extra Effort). Collab posts let you tap into someone else’s audience while sharing the same piece of content. That’s double (or triple, or even six times) the eyes on your post! It’s an easy way to boost brand awareness without extra work.
Make Content Creation Easier. Let the content creators do what they do best! By giving your collaborator creative freedom over the Collab post, you get authentic content that resonates with their audience—without adding to your in-house workload. Win-win.
Grow Your Community. Hello, new followers! When you show up in more feeds, you increase the chances of people hitting that follow or like button—especially if they already trust the brand or creator you’re collaborating with.
Make Your Brand More Approachable. Social media users know when they’re being marketed to and traditional ads can feel impersonal (and, let’s face it, boring). Collab posts bring a more genuine, relatable angle, making your brand feel more trustworthy and authentic.
Boost Your Engagement. More exposure = more likes, comments, and shares. And guess what? The Instagram algorithm loves that. Collab posts often gain more traction than posts shared from just one account.
How to Create an Instagram Collab Post (Step-by-Step)
Ready to try it out? Here’s how to set up a Collab post:
- Hit the + sign in the Instagram app to create a new post.
- Upload your photo, Reel, or carousel and add your caption, location, hashtags—whatever you need.
- Tap Tag people.
- Select Invite collaborator (don’t just tag them, or it won’t show on their profile).
- Search for the account(s) you want to invite and tap their names. You can invite up to five collaborators.
- Hit Done and then Share your post.
Your invited collaborators will get a notification. Until they accept, the post will appear as if you shared it solo, then once they hop on board, it’ll show on their grid too.
How to Accept an Instagram Collab Invite
Got an invite? Here’s how to accept it:
- Tap the messages icon in the top right corner of Instagram.
- Open the convo with your Collab partner.
- Tap the collaboration invitation.
- Hit Review, then Accept.
Not feeling it? No worries—you can decline by tapping Decline instead.
Collab Posts vs. Tags: What’s the Difference?
You might be thinking, “Can’t I just tag them?” Not quite. Here’s why Instagram Collab posts are the better choice:
Shared Feeds: Collab posts show up on both profiles and in both sets of followers’ feeds. Regular tags don’t.
Mutual Engagement: Comments, likes, and views are shared across all collaborators. Tags? Not so much.
Acceptance Required: Collab posts need approval (so no surprises!), whereas tags automatically show up in the tagged section of someone’s profile.
Instagram Collab Post Ideas to Get You Inspired
Not sure when to use a Collab post? Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Brand Partnerships. Working with another brand on a promotion? Maybe you’re a restaurant working with a hotel or a realtor working with a mortgage broker. Share a joint post to reach both of your audiences. Win-win!
Influencer Collaborations. Partnering with a content creator for your brand is a great way to increase your audience. Instagram Collab posts showcase this partnership and boost visibility for both of you.
Giveaways. This is a great way to increase engagement and, if you’re working with another brand or an influencer, you can double your exposure. Using a Collab post lets your contest reach more people and brings in more entries.
Webinars or trade shows. Have a presentation coming up or attending a trade show? Set up an Instagram Collab with the promoter, sponsor, or the show’s Instagram page, to reach more people and increase attendance. You could even set up an Instagram Collab with several brands attending a consumer or trade show.
Support A Cause. Is there a charity or community that you want to show your support for? Create an Instagram Collab with them and share your audience.
Product Launches. If you’re launching a new product that’s associated with another brand, announce it together to maximize hype and get people talking.
Pro Tip: Manage multiple brands or have sister companies under the same umbrella? Partner with the most reliable collaborator you know—yourself! Using Instagram Collab posts between your own brands is a smart way to cross-promote and maximize exposure.
Want To Try an Instagram Collab But Not Sure Where To Start? Call 3SIXTY, We’re the Social Media Experts!
Instagram Collab posts are an awesome tool for brands, creators, and businesses looking to expand their reach without doubling their workload. Are you thinking, “This sounds great, but I have no idea where to start with Instagram”? Don’t worry—that’s what we’re here for! At 3SIXTY Marketing Solutions, we know how to put this powerful feature to work for your brand(s) all you have to do is ask US to collaborate with your team on strategy!
Give us a call at 647-250-1494 or book a free consultation today— and, let’s get to work!
