Instagram launched in October 2010 as a mobile photo-sharing app and has since grown into a leading social media platform with over 2 billion monthly active users as of 2022 [1]. Key features of Instagram include photo and video sharing, Stories, Reels, Live broadcasting, and shopping. The platform is especially popular among millennials and Gen Z.
TikTok launched in September 2016 and has quickly become one of the fastest growing apps with over 1 billion monthly active users. TikTok is best known for its short-form videos and powerful algorithm that determines a customized “For You” feed for each user. The app has resonated strongly with Gen Z, with an estimated 32.5% of users between the ages of 10 and 19 [2].
Posting From Instagram to TikTok
One way to get your Instagram content onto TikTok is by directly cross-posting from Instagram to TikTok. This allows you to easily re-share your Instagram photos and videos natively in the TikTok app.
To cross-post from Instagram to TikTok:
- Open the TikTok app and tap the + button to create a new TikTok video.
- Select “Upload” and then tap “Instagram” from the options.
- You’ll be prompted to connect your Instagram account if you haven’t already.
- Once connected, you’ll see a feed of your recent Instagram posts. Select the photo or video you want to share.
- The Instagram content will be imported directly into the TikTok editor. You can edit the clip, add effects, text, sounds etc.
- Post the TikTok video as you normally would. The original Instagram caption will be carried over too.
This provides a seamless way to give your Instagram content extra exposure and reach to new audiences on TikTok. It’s an easy process on mobile, but the feature is not yet available on TikTok’s desktop site. One limitation is that you can only cross-post Instagram feed posts, not Instagram Stories or Reels.
TikTok’s Instagram Import Tool
TikTok allows users to easily repost content from Instagram to TikTok through its Instagram import tool. This convenient feature lets TikTok creators reuse their Instagram videos in TikTok posts.
To use the Instagram import tool, users first need to connect their Instagram account to their TikTok account. This can be done by going to the TikTok profile page, tapping the three-dot menu, selecting “Link other accounts” and logging into Instagram.
Once the accounts are linked, users can import Instagram videos directly within the TikTok app. When creating a new TikTok post, there is an option to select “Import video”. Tapping this opens the Instagram feed, allowing users to browse and choose any video to repost to TikTok.
The selected Instagram video will be imported into the TikTok post with the ability to edit as normal. Users can trim the length, add effects, text, sounds and more. When ready, tapping “Post” will share the video natively on TikTok.
TikTok’s integration with Instagram makes it easy for creators to expand their reach and get more visibility for their content. By repurposing Instagram videos on TikTok, they can engage with new audiences and build their following across both platforms.
Considering Differences in Platform Design
Instagram and TikTok have some key differences in platform design that affect how content is consumed. According to Insense.pro, “Instagram and TikTok both support short-form video content. The major difference is that for Instagram, short videos are not the only type of content available. It also allows static images and long-form video.”
TikTok is focused solely on short, vertical videos usually set to music while Instagram offers more diversity in content format like photos, long videos, Stories, and Live. As Socialbee.com explains, “As opposed to Instagram, TikTok is solely focused on short-form videos, while Instagram is a fully established visual platform that allows for various types of multimedia.”
Because of the different formats, content may need to be adapted when cross-posting between platforms. Videos made for TikTok’s short vertical style may not fit Instagram’s landscape format or longer video limits. Images and long videos made for Instagram may not condense well into TikTok’s 15-60 second constraints.
Optimizing content for each platform rather than just repurposing the same post can lead to better engagement. Considering the different designs and audiences of Instagram and TikTok during creation and cross-posting is key.
Optimizing Content for Each Platform
When posting content from Instagram to TikTok, it’s important to consider the differences in the platforms and optimize your content accordingly. Here are some tips for tailoring your content for the unique Instagram and TikTok audiences and algorithms:
For Instagram:
- Use high-quality photos and polished videos that align with Instagram’s focus on aesthetics. Apply filters and editing for a consistent feed.
- Write longer, conversational captions that provide context. Instagram users tend to engage more with captivating stories and descriptions.
- Use relevant hashtags sparingly – no more than 10-15 per post. Place them at the end of the caption.
- Tag relevant Instagram accounts in your photos and captions to expand reach.
For TikTok:
- Keep videos under 60 seconds, with very short clips stitched together. TikTok users have short attention spans.
- Use viral audio snippets, popular TikTok songs, reactions, duets and other native features. This increases discoverability.
- Write shorter, punchy and humorous captions using emoji, slang and trending phrases. Focus on engaging the TikTok community.
- Use the most popular and niche hashtags. Place them in comments for optimal reach. Use up to 100 per video.
Tailoring your content for each platform based on their unique audiences and features is key to effective cross-posting between Instagram and TikTok.
Copyright and Permissions
When posting content from one platform to another, it’s important to be aware of copyright laws and platform rules regarding reposted content. By default, creators own the copyright to the content they post on social media platforms. Reposting or embedding that content on other sites requires permission from the original creator.
Courts have ruled that embedding or reposting social media content like tweets, Instagram photos, and Facebook videos without permission can constitute copyright infringement (Source). Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have terms of service that require users to have the necessary rights and permissions to post any content that they did not create themselves.
To avoid copyright issues, it’s best to only repost your own content across platforms or get explicit permission before reposting someone else’s content. Alternatively, you can share the original post as a link instead of embedding the full content. Overall, being mindful of intellectual property rights and platform rules can help prevent legal issues with cross-posting.
Pros of Cross-Posting
One of the main benefits of cross-posting between Instagram and TikTok is expanded reach. By sharing the same content across multiple platforms, you expose it to a broader audience than just posting it to a single platform. According to HubSpot, cross-posting allows you to tap into the unique audiences of each platform and grow your overall following.
Cross-posting can also save time and effort compared to creating custom content for each platform. As Dripify points out, cross-posting lets you post once while distributing content efficiently across multiple channels. This allows you to spend more time engaging with your audiences rather than continually producing new content.
In addition, cross-posting makes it easy to share your best-performing content with new audiences. If a post does really well on Instagram, you can give it new life by cross-posting it on TikTok. Repurposing evergreen content across platforms enables you to maximize its value.
Cons of Cross-Posting
While cross-posting content across multiple platforms can expand your reach, there are some potential downsides to consider:[1]
– Repetitive content – Posting the exact same content on multiple platforms may bore your audience, especially followers who use multiple platforms. They’ll get tired of seeing duplicate posts in their feeds.
– Inconsistent branding – Each platform has a distinct style and voice. Copying and pasting the same post everywhere may seem disjointed or not fit the brand image you’ve cultivated on specific platforms.
– Extra work – Cross-posting takes more time and effort than creating specialized content tailored for each platform’s audience. It requires additional planning and coordination.
– Diluted engagement – Spreading the same content around diffuses your engagement and reach. You may get less interaction on each post than if you targeted content specifically for each platform.
– Copyright issues – Reposting others’ content without proper attribution or permission could violate copyrights and get you into legal trouble.[2]
To maximize engagement, it’s usually better to craft customized content and messaging for each platform. But strategic cross-posting can still be effective if done carefully.
Strategies for Effective Cross-Posting
When cross-posting between Instagram and TikTok, it’s important to do so strategically in order to optimize your content for each platform.
Here are some tips for effective cross-posting:
- Tailor content for each platform – Adapt captions, hashtags, etc. to align with how users engage on Instagram vs TikTok.
- Space out posting times – Don’t cross-post to both platforms simultaneously. Post first on one platform, then share to the other a few hours or days later.
- Monitor performance – Track engagement and analytics on each platform to see which content resonates best and adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Use relevant hashtags – Research and use hashtags tailored for each platform to help the right audiences discover your content.
- Engage communities – Don’t just cross-post and leave it alone. Actively engage with your audience on each platform.
- Shorten/edit video length – Ensure videos are optimized for the constraints of each platform.
By tailoring content specifically for each platform and community, cross-posting can be an effective way to expand your reach. But simple cross-posting without optimization does little good. Craft social strategies suited for each platform’s audience and algorithms.
Conclusions
In summary, it is possible to post Instagram content to TikTok in a few different ways. The easiest is by using TikTok’s Instagram import tool, which allows you to seamlessly share your Instagram videos on TikTok. However, when cross-posting between platforms, it’s important to keep in mind differences in interface, audience, and optimal content style. While cross-promotion can expand your reach, it’s best to tailor and optimize your content for each platform.
When cross-posting from Instagram to TikTok, aim for short, entertaining videos that utilize TikTok features like music and effects. But also consider creating some TikTok-specific content to better engage that audience. Evaluate your goals and target audience for each platform to determine if and when cross-posting makes sense. Apply tags and descriptions relevant to each platform. And ensure you have the rights to reuse any content you repurpose. Overall, cross-posting can be a useful marketing tactic when done thoughtfully, but tailoring content for each platform is key for success.