Instagram is testing the ability for users to repost posts, the company confirmed to TechCrunch on Monday. The move doesn’t come as a surprise, as the social network was spotted developing the feature as far back as 2022.
Some users have reported seeing the feature on their accounts, with one noting that users will be able to repost their own content in addition to other users’ posts.
Of course, not everyone will be on board if Instagram decides to roll out the change officially, especially since it would add yet another content format to a platform already overcrowded with posts, Stories, Reels, Notes, DMs, ads, and more.
On the other hand, some people will welcome the change since it will allow them to share and amplify interesting content like they already do on other platforms.
Although you can currently share someone’s post in your Story, this upcoming repost functionality will let you reshare the post in Instagram’s Feed. In addition, some people currently use workarounds and third-party apps to repost content, so an official reshare feature would get rid of the need to find alternatives.
As for creators, the repost functionality could be a way for them to boost their reach and discoverability. Plus, Instagram is flooded with reposted memes and photos that often don’t credit original posters, so the addition of a repost feature could help ensure that creators receive credit when their content is shared widely.
It makes sense for Instagram to introduce the ability to repost, especially since the format has been adopted by other social networks like Threads and TikTok. It’s worth noting that reposts were popularized by Twitter’s introduction of the “Retweet” feature back in 2009.
As with any other test feature, it’s unknown when or if Instagram plans to release its repost functionality to all users.