The basic steps to post on Instagram
Creating an Instagram post takes about five minutes once you know where to tap. Open the Instagram app on your phone, tap the plus icon at the bottom of the screen, choose "Post" from the menu, select one or more photos or videos from your phone's camera roll, edit them if you want, write a caption, add tags or location if you choose, and tap "Share." The post then appears on your profile and in your followers' feeds.
You can also create posts from a computer using Instagram's web version, though the mobile app gives you more editing options. On a computer, go to Instagram.com, click the plus icon in the top menu, and follow the same steps — but you'll need to upload files from your computer rather than selecting from a phone's camera roll.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram posts start with the plus icon in the app's bottom menu, then "Post," then selecting photos or videos from your phone.
- You can edit brightness, contrast, and color before posting, or apply one of Instagram's built-in filters to change the look of your image.
- Captions can include text, hashtags (words starting with #), and mentions of other accounts (using @), and they appear below your image when someone views your post.
- Adding a location tag and turning on comments lets people find your post by area and respond to what you've shared.
- Once you tap "Share," your post is live — you can edit the caption later, but you cannot change the photo or video itself.
Selecting and uploading photos or videos
After you tap "Post" and choose "Select multiple" or just pick one image, Instagram opens your phone's photo library. Scroll through your camera roll and tap the photo or video you want to use. If you're posting multiple images at once, tap each one you want to include — they'll appear in the order you selected them, and you can rearrange them by dragging. Instagram accepts photos, videos up to 60 seconds long, or a mix of both in a single post.
You can also take a new photo or video directly in the Instagram app by tapping "Camera" instead of "Select from phone." This is useful if you want to post something right away without saving it to your camera roll first. Once you've chosen your image or video, tap "Next" to move to the editing screen.
Editing brightness, filters, and appearance
On the editing screen, you'll see your photo or video with several options below it. Tap "Filters" to see Instagram's preset filters — these change the color tone and mood of your image with one tap. Scroll left and right to preview different filters, and tap one to apply it. You can also tap "Edit" to adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, and other details by hand using sliders.
If you've uploaded multiple images, you can edit each one separately by swiping between them. Some people leave their photos unedited, while others use filters to make their posts look consistent with the rest of their profile. There's no rule — it depends on the look you're going for. Once you're happy with how your image looks, tap "Next" to write your caption.
Writing captions and using hashtags
The caption is the text that appears below your image. Tap the caption box and type whatever you want to say — it can be one word, a paragraph, a poem, or anything else. Many people use captions to explain what's in the photo, share a thought, or ask their followers a question to encourage comments.
You can also add hashtags to your caption — these are words that start with the # symbol, like #photography or #homemade. Hashtags help people find your post when they search for that topic. Instagram suggests hashtags as you type, and you can tap one to add it. Most people put hashtags at the end of their caption or on a separate line. You can use up to 30 hashtags per post, though most people use between 5 and 15.
To mention another account in your caption, type @ followed by their username, like @username. They'll get a notification that you mentioned them, and their name will appear as a clickable link on your post. This is common when you're posting a photo with a friend or crediting someone's work.
Adding location tags and adjusting who can comment
Below the caption box, you'll see options to add a location and adjust comment settings. Tap "Add location" to tag where the photo was taken — this helps followers find posts from places they care about and can help you remember where you took a photo later. Start typing a city, landmark, or business name, and Instagram will show you matching locations to choose from.
You can also turn comments on or off for this specific post. By default, comments are on, which means anyone following you can leave a comment below your image. If you want to turn comments off, tap the toggle next to "Turn off commenting." This is useful if you're posting something sensitive or if you want to avoid unwanted responses. You can turn comments back on later if you change your mind.
Sharing your post and making changes after
Once you've written your caption, added hashtags or a location, and adjusted your comment settings, tap "Share" at the top right. Instagram will process your post for a few seconds, then show you a confirmation screen. Your post is now live on your profile and will appear in your followers' feeds.
After you've posted, you can still edit your caption by tapping the three dots in the top right corner of your post and selecting "Edit caption." You can change the text, add or remove hashtags, or update the location. However, you cannot change the photo or video itself once it's posted — if you want to use a different image, you'll need to delete the post and create a new one. Deleting a post removes it from your profile and your followers' feeds, along with any comments or likes it received.
Posting from a computer instead of a phone
If you want to create a post on a computer, go to Instagram.com and log in. Click the plus icon in the top navigation menu, then select "Post." You'll see a window to upload a file from your computer — click it and choose a photo or video from your files. The editing and caption process works the same way as on the app, though you won't have access to all the same filters or editing tools.
Many people prefer posting from their phone because the app is faster and has more features, but posting from a computer is useful if you're working with files that are already on your computer or if you want to schedule posts in advance using Instagram's business tools. If you have a business account, you can use the "Schedule" option to pick a date and time for your post to go live automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I post a photo that's already on my phone without taking a new one?
Yes. Open Instagram, tap the plus icon, choose "Post," and select "Select from phone." This opens your camera roll, where you can scroll through and tap any photo or video you've already saved. You can post photos from weeks or months ago, or photos you downloaded from the internet.
What happens if I delete a post after I've shared it?
The post disappears from your profile and your followers' feeds. Any comments, likes, or shares on that post are also deleted. You can undo the deletion for a few seconds after you delete — Instagram will show you an "Undo" button at the bottom of the screen.
Can I edit a photo after I've already posted it?
You can edit the caption, location, and comment settings after posting, but you cannot change the photo or video itself. If you want to use a different image, delete the post and create a new one with the new photo.
How many photos can I post at once?
You can post up to 10 photos or videos in a single post by selecting multiple images when you tap "Post." They'll appear as a carousel that people can swipe through, or as a grid depending on how many you include.
Do I have to use hashtags when I post?
No. Hashtags are optional and help people find your post through search, but your post will still appear on your profile and in your followers' feeds without them. Many people use hashtags to reach a wider audience, while others don't use them at all.