Instagram direct

Share Instagram photos and videos with Instagram Direct in 4 Simple Steps

After a failed attempt by Facebook to acquire Snapchat for $3 billion, they hit back in a big way when they announced Instagram Direct.

What is Instagram Direct?

Instagram Direct is a way for users to share photos and videos privately with up to 15 other Instagram users.

Here is what makes Instagram Direct so powerful and why it should be part of your Instagram strategy.

For example, one of the biggest issues that Instagram used to have was that every update, like, or comment was public.

Now, that isn’t the case because you can share Instagram photos or videos with everyone in your Instagram feed or use Instagram Direct to share them privately with a select group of followers.

Besides this new feature, Instagram also put Snapchat and Twitter on notice that they are a major force in social media.

Instagram Direct vs. Snapchat and Twitter

Previously, if you wanted to share a photo or video with someone privately, you had to look to Snapchat and Twitter because they offered the ability to send private messages while Instagram did not.

With 150 million Instagram users, by introducing private photo and video sharing, Instagram can keep its growing userbase within their platform.

Couple that with the fact that Facebook owns Instagram and you can start to understand why this feature is a giant step forward for Instagram.

So how easy is it to use Instagram Direct?

Follow the step-by-step guide and instructional video below on how to use Instagram Direct.

How to use Instagram Direct


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Step 1: Download Instagram

Step 2: Take a photo or a video

Note: Click the Instagram Direct icon in the top right corner to choose an existing photo or video to share.

Instagram Direct
Instagram with the Instagram Direct feature.
Send Instagram Direct photos and videos
Send photos and videos using Instagram Direct.

Step 3: Send photos or videos to friends

Click the + sign to take a new photo or video to share on Instagram.

Take an Instagram photo or video
Take a new photo or video to send on Instagram.
Instagram filters
Add filters to Instagram photos or videos before sending.

Step 4: Select “Direct”

At this point, you can add a caption and select up to 15 people to send photo or video to.

Note: You also do not need to be connected with someone to share photos or videos with Instagram Direct.

If you send someone something and you are not connected, they will receive a request instead.

Share photos with Instagram Direct
Select the people to share photos and videos with on Instagram.

When you send photos or videos using Instagram Direct, users can like and comment without the content being public.

Example of a shared photo using Instagram Direct
Example of Instagram Direct messages.

To delete an direct message, click the … icon. This will also delete the photo or video from all users accounts.

Delete Instagram Direct messages
Deleting an Instagram Direct message.

Your turn

What do you think about Instagram Direct? Do you see yourself using this new feature to send photos and videos to your connections or will you stick with Twitter and Snapchat? Leave a comment below.