Should you post the same video on TikTok and Instagram?
The short answer
Yes, you can, but post a clean copy you made yourself, not a download with another app's watermark. Instagram says content eligible for recommendations must be original and have "no visible watermarks," among other rules.
Platform rule vs. our recommendation
Platform rule (Instagram): In its April 2024 update, Instagram said it would favor original content in recommendations. When it finds identical copies, it says it recommends only the original. That rule is about copying someone else's video. Posting your own work on your own account isn't the same thing.
Garnet's practical recommendation: keep one clean master file with no app logo, then post it to each app. Write a new caption for each one. Instagram doesn't say a fresh caption helps ranking. It's just how people on each app read.
What to change, if anything
- The file. Export from your editor, not from TikTok's save button.
- On-screen text. Make sure it isn't covered by each app's buttons.
- Length. Each app has its own limits. See how long an Instagram Reel can be.
Why this matters for a small town business
Steven Wilson has spent ten years in marketing in the car business, and one shoot often has to feed several apps. For a Livingston shop or dealership, the same customers may be on both TikTok and Instagram. One good video posted the right way on each is less work than making two. See how we work with businesses in Livingston, TX.
Want a posting plan that fits more than one app? Talk to Garnet.