Instagram will test an in-app repost feature soon

Social media platforms have rolled out their own versions of Twitter’s Retweet feature over the years — except Instagram. But that could change in the near future as Meta confirmed the in-app repost function would enter testing soon.

Social media consultant Matt Navarra recently found a dedicated Repost tab on Instagram head Adam Mosseri’s profile page. The new repost icon is placed alongside other dedicated tabs currently available on the platform, including the grid posts, Reels, and tagged posts.

A screenshot of the repost feature’s prompt was later shared by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi, which indicates that functionality is in testing. Meta confirmed Instagram’s repost feature in development and noted that it will enter testing with select users soon. “We’re exploring the ability to reshare posts in Feed — similar to how you can reshare in Stories — so people can share what resonates with them, and so original creators are credited for their work,” Meta told TechCrunch.

The social media giant did not say when the test for Instagram’s repost feature will begin or how long it will run. But the screenshots Navarra and Paluzzi shared have offered enough information on how the feature will work.

The image shared by Paluzzi confirmed that the upcoming repost feature will be different from the currently available option of sharing Instagram posts as Stories. The feature in development will collect users’ reposts on their profiles through the said dedicated tab. Shared posts through this feature will also appear on their followers’ feeds.

While users and creators have recently been criticizing Instagram’s transition into a video-focused platform, in an attempt to keep up with TikTok, the in-app repost function should be a welcome addition. Currently, Instagram only supports sharing of posts as Stories. But if users want to share posts to their followers’ feeds, they need to use third-party apps.

It is worth noting that apps dedicated to Instagram reposts are immensely popular on Android and iOS. Third-party apps like “Reposter for Instagram” and “Repost for Instagram” have each been downloaded more than 10 million times on Google Play Store.

Photo by June Aye on Unsplash