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![How to Collab Post on Instagram [and Use it for more ROI] in 2025](https://ghost.inbeat.co/content/images/2025/01/How-to-Collab-Post-on-Instagram-1.png)
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Instagram collaborations are shaping the way brands and creators connect by offering a direct path to higher engagement and better reach.
A well-executed collab post helps accounts tap into new audiences, build credibility, and create content that drives real interactions.
If you’re not using this powerful feature, you’re missing out on the chance to amplify engagement effortlessly.
But don’t worry – this blog covers everything you need to know about Instagram Collab Posts.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- A brief overview of Instagram Collab Posts and how they work
- Why you should use Instagram Collab Posts
- A step-by-step guide to creating a Collab Post
- Collab ideas to maximize ROI and engagement
- Tips for a successful Instagram collaboration
P.S. Struggling to find the right influencer for your collab post? inBeat.co simplifies influencer discovery with advanced search filters like follower count, location, language, and more. We offer free tools to check engagement rates and verify influencer authenticity to ensure you pick the best fit. Plus, our free marketing calculators help you optimize ROI effortlessly. Book a free demo now!
TL;DR:
- Instagram Collab Posts allow multiple accounts to co-author a single post, sharing engagement metrics like likes and comments.
- Up to six accounts can collaborate, but the feature is only available on the mobile app.
- Benefits: Increased engagement, expanded reach, social proof, reduced duplicate content, and lower content creation costs.
- How to create a Collab Post: Start a post → Tag People → Invite Collaborator → Wait for acceptance.
- Collab Ideas for ROI: Giveaways, influencer partnerships, brand collaborations, product launches, charity campaigns, UGC shoutouts, and cross-promotions.
- Collabs vs. Tagging: Tags acknowledge; collab posts share ownership and engagement.
- Best Practices: Choose the right collaborators, pre-plan content, engage with the audience, track performance, and use hashtags.
- Key Limitations: Up to six collaborators, private accounts need to approve followers, and you cannot add collaborators after posting.
- Common Issues: Outdated app, region restrictions, or account settings may prevent collab access.
- Maximize ROI with inBeat.co for influencer discovery and campaign performance tracking.
What Is an Instagram Collab Post?
An Instagram Collab Post is a unique feature that lets two or more accounts co-author a feed post or Instagram Reel. It displays the usernames (handles) of all collaborators on the same post and appears in multiple feeds simultaneously.
This collaborative content shares likes, comments, and engagement stats while helping reach a wider audience.
Up to six accounts, including the original poster, can collaborate on a single post. However, this feature is only available on the mobile app, not the web version.
For example, inBeat Agency's client Got Milk? collaborated with Giorgio Merlino, a celebrity trainer. He shared his three favorite go-to snack recipes featuring Got Milk and showcased its nutritional benefits.
How Do Instagram Collabs work?
The original author initiates a collab post by creating it and sending a collaboration request through the collab feature. Once accepted, the post connects to all collaborators' profiles.
According to Instagram:
- All collaborator usernames appear on the post header.
- The post is shared with followers of all collaborators.
- It appears on all profile grids.
- Views, likes, and comments are shared by all accounts.
However, the original poster retains ownership. Deleting the post or deactivating their account will remove it from all profiles.
If the original account becomes private, only their followers can see the post.
Private accounts can also collaborate but must accept the follow requests resulting from the post.
Why Should You Use Instagram Collab Posts?
The collab feature is an effective way to expand reach and build credibility while streamlining content creation.
Key reasons to use Instagram Collabs are:
- Increase engagement: Shared likes, comments, and views significantly improve user engagement for both accounts. As collab posts appear in multiple feeds, they ensure better interaction from enthusiastic audiences who love co-created content.
- Increase visibility: Collab posts tap into both collaborators' target audiences, delivering content to a much larger pool of followers. This creates a greater opportunity to reach relevant audiences who may not have discovered the account otherwise.
- Provide social proof: Featuring two or more accounts in one post enhances credibility for both parties. This social media strategy signals trust and reliability and makes it ideal for brands, influencers, and content creators aiming to connect with new followers.
- Reduce duplicate content: Instead of posting similar content separately, collaborative posts allow all creators to share a single post. This avoids redundancy and saves time while ensuring a seamless presentation of the collab content.
- Save effort and cost: Collaborative posts streamline content creation by reducing the need for duplicate efforts across multiple accounts. Sharing resources and production costs makes it more efficient for brands and creators to produce high-quality, engaging co-author content.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create an Instagram Collab Post
- Open the Instagram app and tap the '+' icon to create a new feed post or Instagram reel.
- Select or capture the content you wish to share, then tap “Next.”
- Tap on 'Tag People'
- Then choose 'Invite Collaborator.'
- Use the search bar to find and select the user(s) you want to collaborate with.
- Complete any additional details (caption, hashtags, etc.) and share the post.
Remember: Collaborators must accept the invitation for the post to appear on their profile.
How to Accept an Instagram Collab Invite
Accepting an Instagram Collab Post invite is simple and helps you join in on collaborative content seamlessly:
- Check notifications: Look for the invite notification under your activity tab. It will indicate that someone has sent you a collab request.
- Review post details: Tap on “Review” the post to see the content, captions, and other details before deciding.
- Accept or decline: Click "Accept" to become a collaborator, or choose "Decline" if you prefer not to.
Pro tip: After accepting, you can customize captions or hashtags to align with your social media strategy before the post is published on your profile.
Instagram Collab Ideas to Maximize ROI and Engagement
Using collaborative posts strategically can help brands and creators boost engagement rates and achieve a stronger ROI.
Below are some effective collab post ideas, along with relatable examples from our clients, to help maximize returns.
1. Giveaways and Contests
Partner with another brand or content creator to host a giveaway or contest. Use the collab feature to share a single post, reaching both audiences while increasing visibility and user engagement.
Moreover, clearly define the rules, like tagging friends or sharing the post, to attract relevant audiences and gain new followers.
Hopper’s collaboration with Visit Philadelphia is a great example.
The travel app launched a travel giveaway that required participants to follow both accounts and tag a travel buddy in the comments, increasing engagement and reach.
2. Influencer Partnerships
Collaborate with content creators or influencers who align with your target audience. Use the collab post feature to share authentic, collaborative content that highlights your product or service.
This strategy taps into the influencer's enthusiastic audience, boosts social proof, and drives user engagement, leading to increased ROI.
For example, one of our clients, Prose, also collaborates with influencers like James Lantz to create engaging collab posts that educate audiences on skincare routines.
3. Brand Partnerships
Doing collaborative posts with other brands can expand reach and attract relevant audiences.
Using the collab feature, both brands can co-author a single post, sharing visibility, engagement, and credibility while promoting special promotions or joint campaigns.
For example, the beauty brand Native teamed up with Jarritos to launch a collaborative post showcasing their Native x Jarritos collection.
They used the playful tagline, "Love Jarritos so much you wish you can bathe in it?" to capture attention and engage relevant audiences.
4. Product Launches
Brands can introduce new products to a wider audience while maximizing user engagement by using the collab post feature.
A well-planned collaborative post helps generate excitement and ensures the product reaches relevant audiences through shared visibility.
5. Supporting Charities
Partnering with non-profits through collaborative posts helps raise awareness while engaging a wider audience.
The 2023 Sprout Social Index™ reveals that 21% of consumers follow a brand on social media because it resonates with their personal values.
You can use the collab feature to highlight charity campaigns, donations, or fundraising events. This ensures the message reaches both their followers and the charity’s supporters.
For example, Save the Children collaborated with Salome Agbaroji to raise awareness about the devastating LA fires.
This campaign highlighted the impact on affected families and encouraged donations to support children in need.
6. Shoutouts for User-Generated Content (UGC)
You can feature user-generated content in collab posts to showcase real customer experiences and build trust and authenticity.
This approach increases engagement rate, as followers see genuine interactions and testimonials, and encourages more users to share their experiences.
A perfect example is inBeat Agency’s client, Bluehouse Salmon. They worked with Anna Marie, a UGC creator, in a collab post to showcase a recipe using their product.
7. Promoting Secondary Accounts or Side Businesses
Brands and creators can use collab posts to cross-promote secondary accounts or side businesses, ensuring both gain visibility and engagement.
This strategy helps drive traffic to a new venture while leveraging an existing audience.
For instance, New Balance collaborated with its basketball-focused account, New Balance Basketball, to promote its basketball shoes
What Is the Difference Between Instagram Collabs and Tagging?
Instagram Collabs and tagging serve different purposes in content creation.
Tagging someone in a feed post or Instagram Reel simply acknowledges them. Their handle appears under tags from people, but the post remains on the original author’s profile only.
A collab post, on the other hand, invites another account as a co-author through the collab feature.
This means the post appears on both profiles, sharing engagement stats like likes and comments. Collab posts work best for collaborative content (hence the name), brand partnerships, and user engagement, while tags are ideal for simple mentions.
Tips for a Successful Instagram Collaboration
A well-executed collaborative post can increase engagement rate and expand reach.
To maximize success, you can consider these key strategies shared by our inBeat experts:
1. Pick the Right Collaborators
Choose a content creator, brand, or influencer whose target audience aligns with yours. Ensure their values and content style match your brand.
This helps create collaborative content that feels natural, strengthens social proof, and maximizes user engagement.
P.S.: Need help finding the perfect collaborator? inBeat.co simplifies influencer discovery with its multiple search filters. It connects you with the top creators to maximize the impact of collab posts and boost engagement rates effortlessly.
2. Plan Ahead
Discuss content style, messaging, and goals before creating a collab post to ensure alignment.
Define the social media strategy, decide on the format – feed post, carousel post, or Instagram Reel – and set expectations for captions, hashtags, and engagement.
Clear communication helps create seamless collaborative content that resonates with the target audience.
3. Engage with the Audience
Actively respond to comments, answer questions, and acknowledge interactions to boost user engagement on your collab post.
Encourage discussions by asking questions or prompting reactions. Engaging with followers creates a shared community vibe, strengthens social proof, and increases the post’s visibility in the algorithm.
4. Track Performance
Monitor key metrics like engagement rate, likes, comments, and shares to measure the success of your collab post.
Use Instagram Insights to analyze how the collaborative content resonates with the target audience. Identify what works best and refine your social media strategy for future collaboration posts.
To streamline your tracking, inBeat.co offers free calculators to measure engagement rate, Cost Per Thousand (CPM), Click-Through Rate (CTR), Cost Per Acquisition (CPA), and Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) to help you maximize ROI.
5. Leverage Hashtags and Tags
Incorporate relevant hashtags and tag all collaborators in the collab post to expand its reach.
Hashtags help connect with relevant audiences, while tags ensure visibility among each collaborator’s followers.
This, in turn, drives higher user engagement and creates opportunities to attract new followers.
Find Perfect Influencers for Your Next Collab with inBeat.co!
To sum up, Instagram’s collab feature helps brands and creators reach relevant audiences, build social proof, and improve engagement rates.
Applying the above-mentioned creative collab post ideas ensures better visibility, stronger connections, and a higher return on investment.
Key Takeaways
- Collab posts allow multiple accounts to share a single post with combined engagement stats.
- Up to six collaborators can co-author a post, but only on the mobile app.
- Collab posts vs. tagging: tagging acknowledges, while collabs share ownership.
- Best collab ideas include giveaways, influencer partnerships, and brand collaborations.
- Clear communication and pre-planning improve the success of a collaborative post.
- Monitoring Instagram Insights helps optimize future collaborations.
- Leveraging hashtags and audience engagement increases visibility.
If you're looking to maximize your Instagram Collab Post results, inBeat.co makes influencer discovery effortless with its advanced search filters.
And our free marketing calculators offer data-driven insight to help you make smarter decisions for better campaign performance. Book a free demo now!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can become an Instagram collaborator?
Any Instagram account can be invited as a collaborator, whether it’s public or private. However, private accounts must accept new follow requests for the collab post to reach a wider audience.
Can private accounts use Collab posts?
Yes, private accounts can participate in collab posts, but only their followers will see the content. They also need to accept all follow requests resulting from the post to maintain visibility.
Are there limits to the number of collaborators?
Yes, Instagram allows up to six accounts, including the original author, to collaborate on a single post. This helps distribute engagement while keeping the collab feature simple and effective.
How is engagement calculated for Collab posts?
Engagement metrics like likes, comments, and views are shared equally across all collaborators' profiles. These combined stats give a comprehensive measure of how the collaborative content performs with their audiences.
Why can't I collab post on Instagram?
Issues like outdated apps, region restrictions, or account settings could prevent access to the collab feature. Ensure your app is updated and your account meets Instagram’s Community Guidelines.
Can you add a collaborator on Instagram after posting?
No, collaborators must be added before publishing the post. Once a post is live, Instagram doesn’t allow changes to the collab post settings.
Can you hide a collab post on Instagram?
Yes, you can remove the post from your profile grid, but it will still appear on the other collaborators’ profiles unless the original author deletes the post entirely.