How to Collab Post on Instagram: A Guide for Beginners

Posted on 11th Aug, 2025.

TL;DR (The Short Version)

Collab posts let you share the same content on two accounts so it appears on both profiles, with shared likes, comments, and reach.
Create a post or Reel as normal, then tag a collaborator via the “Invite collaborator” option before publishing.
The invited account must accept the invite for the post to show on both profiles.
Read on for more info on collabs!

Instagram has made collaboration easier than ever with its Collab post feature, which provides a handy way for two accounts to share the same post, pool engagement, and reach wider audiences without duplicating content. This feature's great for brands working with influencers, two creators co-producing a video, or friends sharing a joint memory. Either way, the collab feature can give your posts more traction and visibility.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create a Collab post, what you need to know before using it, including some tips for making it effective. Let's get into it!

What is a Collab Post on Instagram?

A Collab post is a single post or Reel that appears on two different accounts’ profiles and feeds at the same time. It has both usernames at the top, shares the same likes, comments, and view counts, and reaches both sets of followers.

So what's the main advantage? You’re essentially doubling your exposure without having to make two separate uploads. Instead of Person A posting something and Person B reposting it later, you can make one post that lives on both feeds natively.

Why Use Collab Posts?

There are plenty of reasons to use Collab posts strategically, and they can do a great job of boosting followers for you and your fellow collaborator:

Increased reach – You’ll tap into each other’s audiences, potentially introducing new followers to your account.
Shared engagement – All likes, comments, and shares contribute to a single post’s performance, which may improve its visibility in the algorithm.
Saves time – Only one of you needs to upload and edit the content.
Professional polish – Looks cleaner than simply tagging someone in the caption.

Collabs are especially popular for brand partnerships, influencer campaigns, co-hosted events, and joint creative projects.

How to Create a Collab Post on Instagram (Step-by-Step)

The process is straightforward, but the “Invite collaborator” option can be easy to miss if you’ve never used it before. Here's how to upload a collab post.

1. Create Your Content

Open Instagram, tap the plus (+) icon, and choose whether you want to post a photo, carousel, or Reel. Add your media, apply filters, and edit as you normally would.

2. Write Your Caption and Tag People

When you get to the screen where you add your caption, location, and tags, look for the ‘Tag people’ option.

3. Invite a Collaborator

Tap ‘Tag people’
In the bottom right, you’ll see ‘Invite collaborator’ — tap it.
Search for the username you want to invite.
Select the account and tap Done.

You can tag multiple collaborators, but note that Instagram currently allows only up to one collaborator in a post (besides the original account), though this may change in future updates.

4. Publish and Wait for Acceptance

Once you post, the invited collaborator will receive a request in their DMs or notifications. They’ll need to accept it before the post shows up on their feed. If they decline, it will remain visible only on your account.

Tips for Successful Collab Posts

Here's how you can make sure your collab posts go off without a hitch.

Agree in advance – Make sure your collaborator knows and approves of the content before you send the invite.
Tag the right account – Double-check usernames to avoid sending it to the wrong person (it happens more than you’d think).
Time it well – Post when both your audiences are active for maximum engagement.
Use strong visuals – Since this post represents both of you, make sure it’s high quality and on-brand for both parties.
Coordinate captions – Write a caption that makes sense from both perspectives, or keep it neutral.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to do a collab post on Instagram?

Start creating a post or Reel as usual.
On the “Tag people” screen, tap ‘Invite collaborator’.
Search and select the account you want to invite.
Publish the post. Your collaborator must accept the invitation for it to appear on both profiles.
Et voila!

How do I add a collaborator to my Instagram collection?

At the moment, Instagram’s “Collab” feature applies to posts and Reels, not to “Collections” (the saved posts area in your profile). However, you can create a shared collection with someone:

Go to your profile and tap the menu (≡) in the top right.
Tap Saved.
Tap the plus (+) icon to create a new collection.
Name your collection, tap Next, and invite people to join.
Once they accept, both of you can save posts to this shared collection.

Making your post collaborative is a great way to boost engagement for both you and your collaborators. It's easy to do, and allows you to take advantage of the extra reach while also benefitting from improved perceived legitimacy.