The basic steps to post on Instagram

To create a post on Instagram, open the app, tap the plus icon at the bottom of the screen, choose a photo or video from your phone, add captions and tags if you want them, and tap Share. The whole process takes about two minutes once you have your image ready. Instagram stores your post on your profile immediately, and it appears in your followers' feeds based on their activity and the app's algorithm.

You do not need to be a photographer or designer to post successfully. A clear phone photo, a screenshot, or even a simple graphic works fine. The key is making sure your image is in focus and your caption says what you want it to say.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Instagram, tap the plus icon, select a photo or video from your phone's library, and tap Share to post it live.
  • You can add a caption, tag other accounts, add location information, and turn on comments before you share.
  • Posts appear in your followers' feeds immediately, though the order depends on Instagram's algorithm and your followers' activity patterns.
  • You can edit your caption or delete the post after it goes live, but you cannot change the image itself without deleting and reposting.
  • Instagram offers different post types — single photos, multiple photos in a carousel, or videos — all created from the same plus icon.

Opening Instagram and finding the post button

Launch the Instagram app on your phone. At the bottom of the screen, you will see five icons: Home, Search, the plus sign, Reels, and your profile picture. Tap the plus sign in the middle. This opens your phone's photo library so you can choose what to post.

If you have never given Instagram permission to access your photos, your phone may ask you to allow it. Tap Allow or Yes when prompted. Without this permission, Instagram cannot see your photos.

Selecting your photo or video

When you tap the plus icon, Instagram shows you all the photos and videos on your phone, organized by date with the newest first. Scroll through until you find the image you want to post. Tap it once to select it — a blue checkmark appears in the corner.

If you want to post multiple photos together in a carousel (a set of images people can swipe through), tap the icon that looks like two overlapping squares in the top right. Then tap each additional photo you want to include. You can add up to 10 photos or videos in one carousel post. Tap Next when you have selected all of them.

If you want to post a video, select it the same way you select a photo. Instagram lets you trim the video before posting — you will see a timeline at the bottom where you can drag the edges to shorten it. Videos can be up to 60 minutes long, though shorter videos (under three minutes) tend to get more views.

Editing your image before posting

After you select your photo or video, Instagram shows you an editing screen. You can apply filters, adjust brightness and contrast, crop the image, or rotate it. None of these edits are required — you can skip them all and post the original image.

To apply a filter, swipe left through the filter options at the bottom. Each one changes the look of your image. Tap one to see a preview, and tap it again to apply it. If you want to adjust how strong the filter is, tap the filter name and drag the slider that appears.

To crop or rotate your image, tap the icon that looks like a square with corner marks. You can pinch to zoom in or out, drag to reposition the image, or tap the rotate icon to turn it. When you are happy with how it looks, tap Done.

Adding captions, tags, and location information

Tap Next after you finish editing. This takes you to the caption screen. In the box that says "Write a caption," type whatever you want people to see with your post. You can write one sentence or several paragraphs. Many people use this space to explain the photo, share a thought, or ask a question.

If you want to tag another Instagram account in your caption, type the @ symbol followed by their username — for example, @instagram. As you type, Instagram shows you matching accounts. Tap the one you want, and it becomes a clickable link. People who see your post can tap that link to visit the tagged account.

Below the caption box, you can add a location by tapping "Add location." Type the name of a place, and Instagram shows you matching locations. Tap one to add it. You can also tag other people in the photo itself by tapping "Tag people" — this lets you tag accounts that appear in the image, and those people get notified.

At the bottom of this screen, you will see options to turn comments on or off, hide the like count, and control who can see the post. Most people leave these at the default settings, but you can change them if you want.

Sharing your post

When your caption is written and your tags are set, tap Share at the top right. Instagram uploads your post and adds it to your profile. You will see a confirmation screen that says "Your post has been shared." Tap the back arrow or tap "Go to post" if you want to see how it looks on your profile right away.

Your post appears in your followers' feeds within seconds, though not everyone sees it at the same time. Instagram's algorithm decides the order based on factors like how often someone interacts with your posts, what time they usually open the app, and how many people have already liked or commented on it.

Making changes after you post

If you notice a typo in your caption or want to add more information, you can edit it. Go to your post, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and tap "Edit." You can change the caption, add or remove tags, or change the location. Tap Done when you are finished.

If you want to delete the post entirely, tap the three dots again and select "Delete." Instagram will ask you to confirm. Once you delete a post, it is gone from your profile and your followers' feeds. You cannot undo this, so make sure you really want to remove it.

One thing you cannot change after posting is the image itself. If you want to use a different photo, you have to delete the post and create a new one. This means any likes and comments on the original post will be lost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule a post to go live at a specific time?

Yes, but only on the web version of Instagram or through Instagram's Creator Studio. On the phone app, you have to post immediately. If you want to schedule, go to Instagram.com on a computer, create your post, and look for the "Schedule" option instead of "Share."

What happens if I post something and then change my mind?

You can delete it anytime by tapping the three dots on your post and selecting "Delete." Once deleted, the post is gone and cannot be recovered. If you just want to hide it from your profile without deleting it, you can archive it instead — tap the three dots and choose "Archive," and the post moves to a private section only you can see.

Do all my followers see my post right away?

Your post appears in their feeds within seconds, but not everyone sees it at the same moment. Instagram shows posts to people based on their activity and interests, so some followers may see it hours or days later, or not at all if they do not check their feed regularly.

Can I post the same image multiple times?

Yes, you can post the same photo as many times as you want. However, posting the exact same image repeatedly may look repetitive to your followers, and Instagram's algorithm may not show it as widely if it is identical to a recent post.

What file types does Instagram accept?

Instagram accepts JPG and PNG image files, and MP4 or MOV video files. Most photos taken on a phone are already in one of these formats, so you usually do not need to convert anything before posting.