Instagram Adds “Collaborator” Feature After Posting: A Game-Changer for Creators and Brands
Instagram has long been a platform for individuals, influencers, and businesses to engage with their audience through visuals, stories, and posts. In a bid to foster even more collaboration, Instagram has rolled out a new feature that allows users to add collaborators to a post after it has been published. This update is a game-changer for creators, brands, and anyone looking to work together on shared content, ensuring that collaborations are more flexible and accessible than ever before.
What is the “Collaborator” Feature?
The “Collaborator” feature allows Instagram users to tag another account as a co-author of a post after it has been shared. Previously, users could only add collaborators during the initial post creation process, meaning that if a collaboration was forgotten or not considered at the time, there was no way to retroactively credit the other person or brand.
With this new feature, the process is much more fluid. After publishing a post, users can go back and add someone as a collaborator through the post’s settings. This change makes it easier for influencers, brands, and businesses to properly attribute content that was made in partnership without needing to delete and repost.
How Does It Work?
Once you’ve posted something on Instagram, here’s how to add a collaborator:
- Go to the Post: Navigate to the post where you want to add a collaborator.
- Tap the Three Dots: Click on the three-dot menu (the ellipsis) in the top right corner of your post.
- Select “Edit”: Choose the option to edit the post.
- Add Collaborator: Scroll down to the “Tag People” section, where you’ll now see an option to “Invite Collaborator.”
- Search and Select: Type in the username of the person or brand you’d like to add as a collaborator and select them.
- Save: Once confirmed, save your changes. The collaborator will now appear on the post, and both users will share visibility and engagement.
The collaborator will be notified that they’ve been tagged, and the post will appear on their profile as well. This seamless process can greatly enhance the visibility of collaborations, ensuring both parties benefit from shared exposure.
Why is This Feature Important?
1. Streamlined Collaboration Process
For influencers and brands who often collaborate with others, the ability to add collaborators after posting means that the content doesn’t need to be re-uploaded or lost. This creates a more efficient workflow, allowing creators to focus on producing quality content rather than worrying about the timing of collaborations.
2. Enhanced Crediting and Transparency
This feature promotes transparency and ensures that all contributors receive proper credit for their work. Whether you are a photographer, makeup artist, influencer, or brand, being tagged as a collaborator ensures that your contribution is recognized. It eliminates the need for awkward post-publishing edits or manual tagging in captions.
3. Improved Engagement Metrics
When a collaborator is added to a post, their audience is introduced to the content as well. This leads to better cross-promotion, increasing the chances of the post being seen by a broader audience. Collaborators benefit from exposure on each other’s profiles, giving both parties more opportunities to engage with a larger, potentially new audience.
4. More Opportunities for Co-Branding
For businesses, this feature can unlock more dynamic co-branding strategies. If two brands or companies collaborate on a campaign, both can share the post and promote the content. This can be a powerful marketing tool that leads to increased reach, brand awareness, and engagement. Rather than managing separate posts, companies can co-manage content on each other’s profiles.
5. Flexibility in Content Sharing
The ability to add a collaborator after posting means you no longer have to plan collaborations down to the last detail ahead of time. Whether you suddenly realize that a post could benefit from more exposure or you want to credit a team member after the fact, this feature gives you that flexibility.
Limitations and Considerations
While the “Collaborator” feature is a significant improvement, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
- The Post Remains on the Original Account’s Profile: Even though the post appears on the collaborator’s profile, the original poster’s feed remains the primary place for the content.
- Only Available for Feed Posts: As of now, this feature is only available for feed posts. Instagram Stories and Reels do not support collaborators after publishing, limiting its use in these formats.
- Collaborators Must Be Followers: To collaborate, both accounts need to be following each other. This ensures a level of mutual engagement between the users.
Conclusion
Instagram’s “Collaborator” feature after posting is a welcome update for creators, influencers, brands, and anyone engaged in collaborative content creation. This update simplifies the process of giving credit, promotes transparency, and opens up new opportunities for cross-promotion and co-branding. As Instagram continues to evolve, it’s clear that the platform is focusing on making content creation and collaboration more accessible, efficient, and effective.