The basic steps differ by platform, but the idea is the same on all three
A story is a photo or video that disappears after 24 hours. On Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat, you add one by opening the app, finding the story camera or creation tool, taking or uploading a photo or video, and posting it. The exact buttons and menu names change between platforms — Instagram calls it "Your Story," Facebook calls it "Add to Story," and Snapchat calls it "Snap" — but the flow is nearly identical. Each platform also lets you add text, stickers, filters, and effects before you post.
The reason to understand where each button lives is that stories are designed to be quick. If you hunt for the right menu, you lose the spontaneity that makes them useful. Once you know the path on each platform, posting takes about 10 seconds.
Key Takeaways
- On Instagram, swipe left from your feed or tap your profile picture in the top left to open the story camera.
- On Facebook, tap the "+" icon next to your name at the top of the feed, then select "Story."
- On Snapchat, the camera opens by default when you launch the app; tap the circle at the bottom to capture.
- All three platforms let you add text, stickers, and filters after you capture, and all three delete stories after 24 hours unless you save them.
- You can control who sees your story on each platform by adjusting privacy settings before you post.
How to post a story on Instagram
Open Instagram and look at the top left of your feed. You will see a circle with your profile picture inside it, usually with a plus sign or a colored ring around it. Tap that circle to open the story camera. Alternatively, swipe left from your feed — this also opens the camera.
Once the camera is open, you can take a photo by tapping the large circle at the bottom of the screen, or hold it down to record a video. You can also tap the image icon in the bottom left to upload a photo or video you already have saved on your phone. After you capture or upload, Instagram shows you editing tools: tap the smiley face for filters, the "Aa" for text, or the sticker icon for stickers and effects. When you are done editing, tap "Your Story" in the bottom left to post it.
If you want to control who sees your story, tap "Settings" (the gear icon) before you post. You can hide it from specific people or make it visible only to close friends. Stories disappear after 24 hours, but you can save a copy to your phone by tapping the download icon after you post.
How to post a story on Facebook
Open Facebook and look at the top of your feed. You will see a row of profile pictures, usually labeled "Stories." Tap the one with a plus sign and your name — this is your story. Alternatively, look for a "+" icon next to your name at the very top of the feed and tap it, then select "Story" from the menu.
Facebook opens a camera screen. Tap the circle at the bottom to take a photo, or hold it to record a video. You can also tap the image icon to upload a photo or video from your phone. After you capture, you can add text by tapping the "Aa" icon, add stickers by tapping the smiley face, or apply filters by swiping left on the preview. When you are ready, tap "Share to Story" in the bottom right.
Facebook stories also disappear after 24 hours. To control who sees your story, tap the privacy icon (usually a globe or a lock) before you post and choose "Friends," "Public," or a custom list. You can also hide your story from specific people after you post by going to your story settings.
How to post a story on Snapchat
Open Snapchat and you are already in the camera. The app launches directly to the camera view, not to a feed. Tap the large circle at the bottom of the screen to take a photo, or hold it down to record a video. You can also tap the image icon in the bottom left to upload a photo or video from your phone.
After you capture, Snapchat shows you editing tools. Tap the smiley face for filters and effects, tap the "T" for text, or tap the sticker icon for stickers. When you are done, tap the arrow in the bottom right. Snapchat then asks you where you want to send it: tap "My Story" to post it as a story. Stories on Snapchat disappear after 24 hours, but you can save a copy by tapping the download icon after you post.
To control who sees your story, go to your profile (tap the ghost icon in the top left), then tap the settings gear. Look for "Who Can..." options and choose who can view your story. You can also set different privacy rules for different stories before you post.
Adding text, filters, and stickers to your story
All three platforms let you edit your story after you capture it but before you post. The tools are similar across platforms: tap the text icon (usually "Aa") to add words, tap the smiley face or effects icon to add filters or animated effects, and tap the sticker icon to add stickers, emojis, or location tags.
Text editing works the same way on all three: tap where you want to place text, type your message, and then pinch or drag to resize and move it around the screen. Filters are usually applied by swiping left or right on your preview before you post. Stickers can be dragged and resized after you add them. If you make a mistake, you can usually undo by shaking your phone or tapping an undo button.
One difference: Instagram and Facebook let you add links to your story if your account meets certain requirements (usually a certain number of followers or a verified badge). Snapchat does not offer links in stories, but it does let you add location stickers that show where you are.
Saving and deleting stories
Stories disappear after 24 hours on all three platforms, but you can save a copy to your phone before that happens. On Instagram and Snapchat, tap the download or save icon after you post. On Facebook, tap the three dots on your story and select "Save Photo" or "Save Video." You can also save stories to your phone's camera roll by taking a screenshot, though the platform may notify the person who posted that you took a screenshot.
If you want to delete a story before the 24 hours are up, tap the three dots on your story and select "Delete." On Snapchat, swipe left on your story in the "My Stories" section and tap the trash icon. Deleting a story removes it immediately from everyone's view.
Privacy and who can see your story
By default, your story is visible to all your friends or followers, depending on the platform. But you can change that before you post. On Instagram, tap "Settings" before posting and choose "Close Friends Only" or "Hide From" to exclude specific people. On Facebook, tap the privacy icon and choose "Friends," "Public," or a custom list. On Snapchat, go to your profile settings and choose who can view your story.
Keep in mind that even if you set your story to private, anyone you allow to see it can take a screenshot. Most platforms notify you when someone screenshots your story, but not always. If you post something sensitive, assume it could be saved and shared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I post the same photo to my story on multiple platforms at once?
No, you have to post to each platform separately. However, some third-party apps claim to let you schedule or cross-post stories, though they may not work reliably and could violate the platforms' terms of service. The safest approach is to post manually to each platform.
What happens if I don't post anything to my story for a while?
Nothing happens. Your story simply does not appear. The platforms do not penalize you for not posting regularly. Your profile and feed remain visible to your friends and followers regardless of whether you have an active story.
Can I edit a story after I post it?
No, you cannot edit a story once it is posted on any of these platforms. If you made a mistake, you have to delete it and post a new one. This is why it is important to review your story before you tap the final post button.
Do stories count toward my feed posts?
No, stories are separate from your regular feed posts. A story does not appear in your feed or in your profile's permanent post history. Stories are temporary by design, while feed posts stay on your profile until you delete them.
Why can't I see the story camera on my phone?
Make sure you have the latest version of the app installed. If you do, try closing the app completely and opening it again. If the camera still does not appear, check that you have given the app permission to access your phone's camera in your phone's settings. On some older phones, the story feature may not be available.