How to Add a YouTube Video to Your Instagram Story? A Step-by-Step Guide for Sharing YouTube Content on Instagram

Hey there! If you’re looking to add some flair to your Instagram stories, embedding YouTube videos is a fantastic way to do it. Not only does it spice up your content, but it also drives engagement and extends your reach. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of sharing YouTube videos on your Instagram story. Let’s dive right in!

Why Share YouTube Videos on Instagram?

How to Share YouTube Video on Instagram Story Followchain

Sharing YouTube videos on Instagram can be a game-changer for your social media strategy. Here are a few compelling reasons to consider:

Broaden Your Audience: By sharing your YouTube content with your Instagram followers, you’re introducing your videos to a whole new audience. This can lead to more views and subscribers on your YouTube channel.
Boost Engagement: Visual content naturally attracts more attention. Including a video in your story can increase interactions, whether through views, shares, or comments.
Drive Traffic: Directing your Instagram audience to your YouTube channel can help increase traffic. Including a call-to-action (CTA) in your story encourages viewers to head over and watch the full video.

Let’s take a closer look at these benefits:

Broaden Your Audience

Not everyone who follows you on Instagram might know you have a YouTube channel. Sharing videos in your stories allows you to tap into your existing Instagram audience. This cross-pollination can lead to increased visibility and subscriber counts. For example, a beauty vlogger might share a snippet of a makeup tutorial on Instagram, enticing followers to check out the full video on YouTube.

Boost Engagement

Instagram stories are designed for quick consumption, and videos are often more engaging than static images. When you share a YouTube video, you’re offering dynamic content that can retain attention longer. Plus, you can ask questions or create polls related to the video, prompting followers to interact with your story actively. This engagement signals to Instagram’s algorithm that your content is compelling, potentially boosting its visibility.

Drive Traffic

Every time you share a YouTube video on your Instagram story, you have a prime opportunity to drive traffic to your channel. Make sure to include a strong CTA. For instance, you might say, “Swipe up to watch the full tutorial!” or “Check out my channel for more tips.” If you’re not using the swipe-up feature, you can still guide viewers to click the link in your bio. Just ensure your bio is updated with the latest video link.

In short, sharing YouTube videos on Instagram not only enhances your content but also helps you connect with your audience in more meaningful ways. It’s a strategic move that can lead to growth across both platforms.

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3. Prerequisites for Sharing

Before diving into the process of sharing YouTube videos on your Instagram Story, there are a few prerequisites you need to check off your list. Ensuring that everything is in place will make the process smoother and more enjoyable. Let’s break it down:

An Active Instagram Account: You’ll need to have an Instagram account that is active and in good standing.
YouTube Video Ready: Make sure the YouTube video you want to share is public. If it's private or unlisted, your followers won’t be able to view it.
Instagram App Installed: You should have the latest version of the Instagram app installed on your mobile device. Updates often include important features and bug fixes.
Stable Internet Connection: A steady Wi-Fi or mobile data connection is essential to ensure smooth video sharing.
Creative Ideas: Think about how you want to present the video. Do you want to add text, stickers, or polls? Having a creative direction can enhance engagement!

Once you’ve checked off these prerequisites, you’re ready to proceed. It’s all about setting yourself up for success!

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4. Step 1: Find the YouTube Video

Now that you’re all set, it’s time to locate the YouTube video you want to share. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you find that perfect video:

Open YouTube: Launch the YouTube app or website on your device. If you’re using a mobile device, the app typically offers a more streamlined experience.
Use the Search Bar: At the top of the screen, you’ll see the search bar. Type in keywords related to the video you’re looking for. For example, if you want to share a cooking tutorial, you might type “easy pasta recipes.”
Browse Through Results: After hitting enter, you’ll be presented with a list of videos. Scroll through the results and look for the one that piques your interest. Pay attention to the thumbnail and title, as they’ll help you identify the right video.
Check Video Details: Click on the video to open it. Review the description, video length, and comments to ensure it’s the content you want to share.
Copy the Link: Once you’ve confirmed that this is the video you want, tap on the “Share” button (typically an arrow icon) below the video. From the options that pop up, select “Copy Link.” This will save the video URL to your clipboard, making it easy to use later.

Now that you’ve got the video link ready, you’re just one step away from sharing it on your Instagram Story! Next up, you’ll learn how to integrate that video link with your Story creatively.

5. Step 2: Copy the Video Link

Alright, let’s get to the nitty-gritty of actually getting that YouTube video link! This step is super simple but crucial. You want to ensure you’re grabbing the right link so your friends can enjoy the video without any hiccups!

Here’s how to do it:

Open the YouTube app or website on your device.
Find the video you’re excited to share. You can search for it or navigate to it through your subscriptions or playlists.
Once you’re on the video page, look for the Share button. It’s usually located just below the video player, represented by an arrow icon.
Tap on that Share button, and a menu will pop up with several options.
Now, look for the Copy Link option and tap it. Boom! You’ve copied the link to your clipboard!

Here’s a quick tip: If you’re using a mobile device, after you tap Copy Link, you might see a confirmation message saying the link was copied. If you’re on a desktop, the link is automatically copied, so you’re good to go!

That’s it! You’ve successfully copied your YouTube video link. Now, let’s move on to getting that video onto your Instagram story.

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6. Step 3: Open Instagram and Create a Story

Now that you have your YouTube video link ready, it's time to hit up Instagram and create that story! This part is where the magic happens, and you can get creative. Let’s dive in!

Follow these steps to create your story:

Open the Instagram app on your phone. If you’re not already logged in, go ahead and do that.
Once you’re in, locate the camera icon in the top-left corner of your home feed. This icon lets you create a new story.
Tap the camera icon to open the story interface. You can either take a new photo or video, or swipe up to access your gallery.
If you want to add a background, you can choose a solid color by selecting one from the options or use a photo from your gallery.
Next, it’s time to paste that link! Tap the text icon (Aa) in the top right corner of the screen. This opens a text box.
Press and hold in the text box until you see the Paste option pop up. Tap it to paste your YouTube link.
Feel free to customize it! You can change the text color, size, and style to make it pop.

Once you’re satisfied with how it looks, don’t forget to add some engaging stickers or emojis to jazz it up! Maybe add a little arrow pointing to the link or a “Swipe Up” sticker if you have that feature.

Finally, when you’re ready to share, hit the Your Story button at the bottom. And just like that, your YouTube video link is now live on your Instagram story!

Sharing videos has never been easier. Enjoy watching those views roll in!

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7. Step 4: Add the YouTube Video Link to Your Story

Alright, let’s get to the fun part—adding that YouTube video link to your Instagram Story! First things first, make sure you’ve selected the video you want to share. If you haven’t done that yet, go back to the previous steps and pick your favorite YouTube gem.

Once you have your video ready, follow these simple steps:

Open Instagram: Launch the Instagram app on your phone.
Swipe Right: This will take you to the camera screen where you can create a new Story.
Select Your Content: Tap the gallery icon in the bottom left corner to choose a background image or video for your Story. You could use a screenshot from the YouTube video or a visually appealing background.
Add the Link: Now, here’s where the magic happens! Tap on the sticker icon at the top of the screen (it looks like a smiley face). From the sticker menu, select the “Link” sticker.
Paste Your YouTube URL: A field will pop up asking for the URL. Go ahead and paste your YouTube video link here. Don’t forget to tap “Done”!

It’s that easy! Once you’ve added the link, you’ll see a small sticker that says “Watch Video” or something similar. Feel free to drag it around to position it wherever you like on your Story. Just make sure it’s visible and easy to tap for your viewers!

Quick tip: If you want to keep it consistent with your branding, consider using a color or style that matches your overall Instagram aesthetic. This can make your Story more visually appealing and engaging.

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8. Step 5: Customize Your Story with Text and Stickers

Now that you’ve added the YouTube video link, let’s jazz up your Story! Instagram is all about creativity, and this is your chance to showcase your personality. Here’s how you can customize your Story with text and stickers:

Add Text: Tap the “Aa” icon at the top right to add some text. You could write something engaging like, “Check out my latest video on YouTube!” or “You won’t believe what I just shared!” Choose a font style and color that fits your vibe.
Use Stickers: Tap the sticker icon again to explore all the fun options—like GIFs, polls, or even music! Adding a relevant GIF can make your Story more dynamic. For instance, if your video is about travel, a plane or beach-themed GIF could be a great addition.
Tag Your Friends: If your video features someone special or you think a friend would love it, don’t hesitate to tag them! Just type “@” followed by their username, and they’ll get a notification.
Draw or Highlight: Don’t forget about Instagram’s drawing tools! You can use them to underline important text or draw fun shapes around your stickers. This can draw more attention to your call-to-action.

Take a moment to step back and look at your creation. Does it reflect your style? Is it eye-catching? If you feel satisfied, hit that “Your Story” button at the bottom left to share your masterpiece with the world!

And just like that, you’ve not only shared a YouTube video but also crafted a visually appealing Story that captures your audience’s attention. Happy sharing!

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Step 6: Publish Your Instagram Story

Alright, you've done all the hard work! Now it’s time to get your creative masterpiece out there for the world to see. But before you hit that Share button, let’s take a moment to ensure everything is just right.

First, review your story. Check that the video is playing correctly and that it looks good. Remember, this is your chance to shine, so take a quick look for any last-minute tweaks. If you want to add more flair, consider using some of Instagram's built-in features:

Stickers: Add fun stickers to grab attention. You can find options like polls, questions, or even the location sticker.
Text: Overlay some engaging text. Make it bold or italicized to highlight key points, but don’t overcrowd the screen.
Music: Enhance the mood of your video by adding a catchy tune. Instagram has a vast library of music to choose from.

Once you’re satisfied, you’re ready to share! Click the Send To button, then select Your Story. This is where the magic happens; your friends and followers will be able to see your content for the next 24 hours. But here’s a little secret: If you want your story to have a longer life, consider saving it as a Highlight on your profile. This way, new visitors can also enjoy your creative work long after the initial 24 hours have passed!

After publishing, keep an eye on how your followers are interacting with your story. Instagram provides insights into who viewed your story and how they interacted with it. This can help you gauge the effectiveness of your content and inform future posts. Remember, storytelling is a continuous journey!

Tips for Effective Engagement

Now that your YouTube video is live on your Instagram Story, how can you maximize engagement? Here are some tips to ensure your audience not only views your content but interacts with it too:

Ask Questions: Prompt your viewers with a question related to your video. This encourages them to respond, making them feel involved. For example, “What’s your favorite part of the video?”
Use Polls and Quizzes: Create interactive polls or quizzes that relate to your content. Not only does this make your story more engaging, but it also provides you with valuable feedback.
Encourage Shares: Ask your followers to share your story with their friends. You could say something like, “Tag a friend who needs to see this!” This can expand your reach significantly.
Leverage Hashtags: Use relevant hashtags to increase visibility. But be strategic; too many hashtags can look spammy. Stick to 2-3 that are most relevant to your video.
Engage with Your Audience: Respond to any DMs or comments you receive about your story. Showing appreciation for their engagement can foster a loyal community.

Lastly, remember to be authentic. Share stories and insights that reflect your personality and brand. The more genuine you are, the more likely your audience will connect with you. So, go ahead and hit that publish button, and watch your engagement soar!