What counts as a repost on Instagram
A repost on Instagram means someone else shared your photo, video, or carousel post to their own account without creating new content. They might have taken a screenshot of your post and uploaded it, used a reposting app that copies your content directly, or manually recreated what you posted. The key difference from a regular share or mention is that the repost appears as a standalone post on their profile, not as a story or a tagged mention of your original.
Instagram's built-in sharing tools (like the paper airplane icon) send your post to someone's DMs or story, but they don't create a new post on that person's feed. A true repost is when your content shows up as their own feed post, sometimes with a credit tag and sometimes without one. Knowing the difference matters because it changes how you track reposts and what options you have to respond.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram does not have a built-in tool that shows you every time someone reposts your content, so you need to search manually or use third-party tracking.
- Searching your own username in Instagram's search bar and checking the "Tags" section shows posts where your account is tagged, which catches some reposts but not all.
- Google Images reverse search lets you upload one of your photos to find where else it appears online, including reposts on Instagram.
- Third-party apps like Repost for Instagram and Regram can notify you of reposts, though they work best if the reposter used the app to share your content.
- If someone reposts without credit, you can report the post to Instagram or ask them directly to add a tag or remove it.
Searching for reposts using Instagram's built-in search
The simplest way to find reposts is to search your own username within Instagram. Open the app, tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom, and type your username into the search bar. Scroll down to the "Tags" section — this shows posts where your account is tagged, which includes many (but not all) reposts that credited you.
This method catches reposts only when the person who shared your content tagged your account. If someone reposted without tagging you, this search won't show it. You'll also see legitimate mentions and posts that tagged you for other reasons, so you'll need to scroll through results to spot actual reposts. This is a quick first step, but it's incomplete on its own.
Using reverse image search to find photo reposts
Google Images reverse search works across the entire internet, including Instagram. Go to Google Images on your computer, click the camera icon in the search bar, and upload one of your photos. Google will show you every place that image appears online, including Instagram profiles that reposted it.
This method is most useful for photos rather than videos, and it works whether or not the reposter tagged you. The downside is that you have to search one photo at a time, so if you post frequently, this becomes time-consuming. You'll also get results from places other than Instagram — Pinterest, blogs, and other sites that may have shared your image. Filter the results to Instagram by looking for posts with the Instagram domain or by scrolling through results yourself.
Third-party repost tracking apps
Apps like Repost for Instagram and Regram are designed to track and notify you when someone uses their tool to repost your content. These apps work by monitoring when people use their reposting feature to share your posts. If you have a business or creator account, some of these apps send you notifications when a repost happens, and they keep a log you can review anytime.
The limitation is that these apps only catch reposts made through their own platform. If someone screenshots your post and uploads it manually, or uses a different reposting app, these trackers won't see it. They're most useful if you have a large following and want to monitor reposts in real time, but they're not a complete solution. Many of these apps are free with optional paid features for more detailed tracking.
Checking your Instagram Insights for shares and saves
If you have a business or creator account, Instagram Insights shows you how many times people saved or shared your posts, but it doesn't tell you who did it or where they shared it. Open a post, tap "View Insights," and look at the "Shares" number. A high share count suggests your content is being reposted, but you won't know the specific accounts or whether they credited you.
This data is useful for understanding which of your posts are popular enough to repost, but it's not a tracking tool on its own. Use it alongside the other methods in this guide — if a post has many shares but you can't find the reposts through search, try a reverse image search on that specific photo.
What to do when you find a repost without credit
If you find a repost that didn't tag or credit you, you have two options. The first is to contact the person directly through DM and ask them to add a tag to your account or include your username in the caption. Many people repost without realizing they should credit the original creator, and a polite message often results in them fixing it.
The second option is to report the post to Instagram. Tap the three dots on the post, select "Report," and choose "It's intellectual property infringement" or "It's spam." Instagram reviews the report, though they don't always remove the post — they may just add a label or leave it up. If the repost is a direct copy of your photo with no changes and no credit, you have a stronger case. If the person added their own edits or clearly credited you in the caption, Instagram is less likely to remove it.
Preventing reposts before they happen
You can't stop people from reposting, but you can make it less convenient. Disabling the "Allow Sharing" option on individual posts prevents people from using Instagram's built-in share button, though they can still screenshot and repost manually. To do this, open the post, tap the three dots, and select "Advanced Settings," then toggle off "Allow Sharing to Stories."
Adding a watermark or your username directly on the photo itself makes it harder for someone to repost without crediting you — the watermark travels with the image. Some creators also include a caption that says "Please tag me if you repost" or "Repost with credit only," which sets a clear expectation. These steps don't prevent reposts entirely, but they make it more likely that anyone who does repost will include your credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see a list of everyone who reposted my content?
Instagram doesn't provide a built-in list of all reposts. You have to search manually using your username, reverse image search, or third-party apps. Even combined, these methods won't catch every repost — only the ones that are tagged, searchable, or made through tracking apps.
What's the difference between a repost and someone sharing my post to their story?
A share to story sends your post to someone's story (which disappears after 24 hours) and credits you automatically. A repost is when someone uploads your content as a new post on their feed, sometimes with credit and sometimes without. Only reposts appear permanently on their profile.
Do I own the rights to stop someone from reposting my photo?
You own the copyright to photos you create, which means you have the right to control how they're used. Instagram allows you to report reposts as intellectual property infringement, but whether they remove the post depends on the situation. If the repost includes credit and is clearly marked as a repost, Instagram may not remove it.
Will third-party repost apps hurt my account?
Using repost tracking apps won't hurt your account, but giving them access to your Instagram data does carry some risk. Only use apps from developers you trust, and check their privacy policy before connecting your account. Avoid apps that ask for your password — legitimate apps use Instagram's official login system instead.
What if someone is reposting all my content without credit?
If someone is repeatedly reposting your content without credit, report multiple posts to Instagram and document the pattern. You can also block the account to prevent them from seeing your new posts. If the reposts are being used commercially or causing real harm, you may want to contact Instagram's support team directly or consult with someone about copyright options.