How to use the new Instagram “Collab” feature

Have you seen Instagram posts that have two usernames?

Or two people posting the same post on two different accounts?

It is actually one post (the same post) that is visible on two accounts.

It is the new Instagram feature called “Collab“.

Let’s talk about:

• What is the Instagram “Collab” feature?
• Does the “Collab” feature combine likes and comments from two accounts?
• How to get the “Collab” feature?
• How is it different from tagging?
• How can you get your username next to the caption?
• Should you use it?
• Does it work for Instagram Reels?
• TUTORIAL: How use the “Collab” feature

Let’s start.

What is the new Instagram “Collab” feature?

Vishal Shah, Instagram’s VP of Product, recently announced the new feature.

“Collab” stands for “collaboration“.

He said:

“Collaborating is a huge part of how people connect on Instagram. To make that easier, we’re testing a new way for people to co-author Feed Posts and Reels, called Collab.”

Does the “Collab” feature combine likes and comments from two accounts?

The same post will appear on two accounts.

What happens to the likes and comments?

Do they get the same number of likes and comments?

Yes.

Let’s say you share a “Collab” post.

The post appears on your profile and on the other person’s profile.

Your followers will “like” the post from your account.
And the other person’s followers will also “like” the same post from their account.

Same with comments.

The post will share the same number of likes and comments.

Therefore, this post could naturally get more likes and comments because you are joining forces.

However, we don’t know how Instagram will distribute the Reach of this post.

Will the Reach be distributed evenly amongst the 2 accounts? Or will the main author contribute to the main Reach? Or will both accounts accumulate extra Reach by joining forces?

We will have to wait and see.

Let us know your experience in the comments below if you have already tested this feature.

How to get the Instagram “Collab” feature?

This feature is currently being tested in the UK and India.

Since Instagram is currently testing, it means that not everyone in the UK and India might have it.

Sometimes, Instagram sends new features to some accounts only. Sometimes, they send to everyone in a country.

At the moment, they haven’t said if they only released this feature to everyone or only some people in the UK and India.

If you are in one of these countries, and don’t have the “Collab” feature, try this:

• Go in your App Store / Google Play Store app
• Search for Instagram
• Check if you can update your Instagram app manually (there should be an “Update” button)

Then check if you have the “Collab” feature on Instagram.

If you still don’t have it after updating the app:

Then you might have to wait for Instagram to release it to more people.

With tagging:

People have to tap on a photo to see who has been tagged on the post.

Their followers will probably never see your post. Unless the person you’ve tagged sees it and shares it on their feed or Instagram Stories.

It is not “worse” than Collab. Just different.

With “Collab”:

Your username will show up on top and / or next to the caption – even on the other person’s feed!
This has the potential to give you more exposure, since the other people’s followers will see your username straight away.

How can you get your username next to the caption?

You have to be the “author” of the post.

The author is the person who posts the post.

The author is the one who will have their name next to the caption.

Should you use the “Collab” feature?

If you want the same post to appear on two different feeds: yes.

This feature is especially useful for:

• Brands and influencers who collaborate.
• A brand to repost your post on their feed.
• Influencers who collaborate together to grow their Instagram accounts
• Friends and family: if you want to share the same photo or video on your accounts

That’s it!

What do you think about this new feature?

👍 or 👎?

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