How to Add a Collaborator on Instagram Posts and Reels

To add a collaborator on Instagram, tap Tag people on the final screen before you publish a post or reel, tap Invite collaborator, search for the account, tap it, then tap Done. Once they accept the invite, the post shows on both profiles and is shared with both sets of followers. You can add up to five collaborators to a post.

Invite a collaborator before you publish

The invite happens while you're creating the post, before you publish. These are the steps from Instagram's help center:

1. Create your post or reel as usual and go to the last screen before sharing.
2. Tap Tag people.
3. Tap Invite collaborator (on a reel it reads Invite collaborators).
4. Search for the account you want, then tap it.
5. Tap Done (on a reel, Done is in the top right).
6. Publish the post.

To take someone off before publishing, tap Tag people again, tap Remove on the right of their name, then tap Done.

Invite before you hit share. Instagram's help center gives steps for inviting collaborators while you create a post and for removing them afterward, but no steps for adding a collaborator to a post that is already live. Plan the collab ahead of time and agree on who posts.

Who you can invite and how many

If you have a private account and a public account accepts your invite, the post is shared publicly through that public collaborator. Instagram shows private accounts an explanation the first time they invite someone. After you acknowledge it, you can invite anyone who follows you on future posts.

When a private account joins a collab, its username appears on the post, but people who want to follow that account still have to send a follow request.

One more limit: Instagram says accounts that have gone against its Community Standards may not have access to Collabs. If Invite collaborator is missing for you, that is one possible reason.

Collab, tag or mention

Instagram treats these differently, and the difference is mostly about reach and credit:

A photo you're tagged in is added to your profile automatically unless you've chosen to approve tags manually. A collab never appears without your say: you have to accept the invite. A tag says "this person is in the photo." A collab says "we made this together," and it puts the post in front of both audiences.

Accept or decline a collab invite

When someone invites you, Instagram sends you a message. To respond:

1. Tap Messages at the bottom.
2. Tap the conversation in your Chats list where the invite arrived.
3. Tap the collaboration invite.
4. Tap Review. For a reel, this lets you watch it first.
5. Tap Accept, or tap Decline if you don't want it on your profile.

Once you accept, your username is added to the post, it's shared with your followers and it shows on your profile. You can also see all the likes and comments on it.

Remove a collaborator or yourself after posting

Either side can end the collaboration at any time.

To remove a collaborator from your post:

1. Find the post.
2. Tap Options in the top right.
3. Tap Edit, then Tag people.
4. Tap Remove next to the collaborator's name.
5. Tap Done, follow the on-screen instructions, and tap Done again.

For a reel, tap Options in the bottom right, then Manage, then Edit, and continue from Tag people.

To remove yourself from someone else's post or reel:

1. Find the post or reel.
2. Tap Options (top right on a post, bottom right on a reel).
3. Tap Stop sharing, follow the on-screen instructions, then tap Stop sharing again.

What happens to a collab post over time

The person who created the post is the primary creator, and the post belongs to them. That shapes what happens later:

• Blocking or leaving ends it. If either account blocks the other, or the collaborator leaves, the collaboration ends. The post stays on the original creator's profile.
• Only the creator can delete it. If they delete it, it disappears from the collaborator's profile too.
• Going private narrows the audience. If the original creator switches to private, only their followers can see the post.
• Deactivation removes it everywhere. If the original creator deactivates their account, the post is removed from both profiles. It comes back on both if they reactivate.

If you're the guest on a collab that matters to your business, keep your own copy of the photo or video.

Why creators and small businesses use collabs

This part is advice rather than Instagram policy, based on what collabs do: one post, two or more audiences, shared credit, and shared likes and comments.

• Cross-promotion with a neighbor. A cafe and the bakery that supplies its pastries can post one reel together and each reach the other's followers.
• Brand and creator work. When a creator makes content for a shop, a collab keeps it on the creator's profile and the shop's, instead of a repost that lives on only one.
• Music releases. An artist and a producer, or two artists on a feature, can share one announcement so neither fan base misses it. Our guide on how to promote music on Instagram covers more ways to get a release heard.
• Events and giveaways. Hosts and partners can run one post so entries and comments land in one place.

If you only want to share someone else's post without co-authoring it, a repost may be a better fit. See how to repost on Instagram.

A few habits make collabs go smoother: agree on the caption and timing before you post, since you send the invite while creating it, double check the username before you send the invite, and make sure both bios point somewhere useful, since a collab sends new people to your profile.

Give collab visitors one link with Olaa

A collab brings people to your profile who have never heard of you, and the link in your bio is where they decide whether to stick around. Olaa gives you one short link, olaa.im/yourname, that opens a page with everything you want people to find. On the free plan you get one page with unlimited links, music and video players that play on the page (Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, YouTube and more), featured cards and social icons, so a new fan can play your track or see your work without leaving. Olaa Pro is $8 a month or $72 a year and adds products from Stripe, Etsy, Shopify or Gumroad with checkout in your own shop and no cut taken, plus email signups sent to Mailchimp. Setup takes a few minutes and needs no code. For where to put the link, read our guide to adding a link to your Instagram bio, or see pages built for musicians.

FAQ

Can I add a collaborator after posting on Instagram?

Instagram's help center only describes inviting collaborators before you publish. Its steps for a published post cover removing a collaborator, not adding one. To be safe, send the invite on the final screen before you share.

How many people can collaborate on an Instagram post?

You can add up to 5 collaborators to a post. For reels, Instagram says you can add multiple collaborators without giving a number.

Why can't I see the Invite collaborator option?

Check that you're on the last screen before publishing and have tapped Tag people, since the option lives there. Instagram also says accounts that have gone against its Community Standards may not have access to Collabs. Updating the app is a sensible next step if it's still missing.

Can I add a collaborator to an Instagram story?

No. You can mention other accounts in your stories, but Instagram doesn't let you add collaborators to stories. Collabs work on posts and reels.

Can a private account do a collab post?

Yes. A private account can invite public or private accounts, but only ones that follow it. If a public account accepts, the post is shared publicly through that collaborator.

Who can delete a collab post?

Only the original creator can delete it, and deleting it removes it from every collaborator's profile. A collaborator can remove themselves at any time with Stop sharing.