The Not-So-Shady Guide to Making Shared Videos Play on Your Instagram Story: A Hilarious How-To
Let's face it, folks. Sharing a funny dog video to your story only to have it appear as a lifeless image with a sad little play button is the social media equivalent of showing up to a party in yesterday's clothes. Fear not, fellow meme enthusiasts and chronic story sharers, because this guide will turn you into a master of the shareable video (well, at least on Instagram).
Tip: Revisit this page tomorrow to reinforce memory.
Tip: A slow skim is better than a rushed read.
QuickTip: Don’t rush through examples.
Tip: Look for examples to make points easier to grasp.
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| How To Get A Shared Video To Play On Instagram Story |
Why Your Epic Cat Fails Aren't Playing Ball (or Claw?) with Instagram Stories
There are a few reasons why your perfectly-timed video share might be phoning it in (pun intended) on your story. Here are the culprits:
- The IGTV Imposter: Turns out, Instagram Stories just aren't built for IGTV's long-winded ways. Sharing an IGTV video will only show a static preview on your story. So, unless your goal is to make your followers think your cat has mastered the art of taxidermy, stick to shorter clips.
- The Photo Party Crasher: Instagram Stories allows you to share a bunch of photos and videos at once. But here's the twist: if you mix photos and videos, the video might not play. Keep it simple and share the video solo for guaranteed movement (don't worry, your followers can handle the excitement).
- The Lengthy Looper: Apparently, Instagram Stories has a short attention span (much like your pet goldfish, no offense). If the video you're sharing is longer than 10 seconds, it might just show up as a picture. Chop it up or find a shorter clip to keep your audience engaged (and those goldfish from jumping out of their bowls).
How to Become a Shareable Video Sharing Sharer (Yes, That's a Thing)
Now that we've identified the enemy, let's conquer those pesky limitations and get your videos movin' and groovin' on your story!
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- The Power of Patience: This might sound crazy, but before you hit that share button, let the video play for a few seconds in the original post. Then, share it to your story. It's a weird quirk, but some users swear by it.
- The Sticker Savior: Here's a neat trick: If the video you want to share isn't from Instagram, you can still (sort of) share it on your story. Download the video (with the owner's permission, of course!), then add it to your story as a sticker. It won't play within the story itself, but viewers can still tap the sticker to be directed to the original video.
Remember: Sharing is caring, but sharing the right way is key to keeping your Instagram story followers entertained (and stopping them from unfollowing you in a fit of frustration). So, use these tips wisely, and soon you'll be a viral video-sharing virtuoso (or at least your grandma will be impressed).
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