The basic steps to post to your story
Most social media platforms let you add a post to your story through a button or icon near the top of your feed. On Instagram and Facebook, look for a circle with a plus sign or your profile picture at the top left of the screen — tap or click it to start. On Snapchat, swipe up from the camera screen or tap the plus icon. On TikTok, tap the plus icon at the bottom center of the screen, though TikTok calls this feature "posting" rather than "story."
Once you tap the button, you can choose to upload a photo or video from your phone, or take a new one using your device's camera. The platform will then open an editing screen where you can add text, stickers, filters, or drawings before you post. After you finish editing, you'll see a button that says "Share to Story," "Post to Story," or straightforward "Share" — tap that to make your post visible.
Your story will stay visible to your followers for 24 hours on most platforms, then disappear automatically. Some platforms let you save your story to a permanent collection called "Highlights" or "Archive" before it disappears, so you can keep it longer if you want.
Key Takeaways
- The button to start a story is usually a circle with a plus sign or your profile picture at the top of your feed, and the exact location depends on which platform you use.
- You can upload an existing photo or video from your phone, or take a new one using your device's camera right in the app.
- After you take or upload your image, you can add text, stickers, filters, or drawings before you share it.
- Stories disappear after 24 hours on most platforms, but you can save them to a permanent collection if you want to keep them longer.
Finding the story button on your platform
The location of the story button changes depending on which app you use. On Instagram, it's a circle with your profile picture or a plus sign in the top left corner of your feed — you may see it labeled "Your Story." On Facebook, the button looks similar and sits at the top of your feed, sometimes labeled "Add to Story." On Snapchat, you don't tap a button — instead, swipe up from the camera screen, or look for a plus icon if you're on the Stories tab.
If you can't find the button right away, look at the very top of your feed or home screen first. Most platforms put the story feature in the most visible spot because it's a core feature they want you to use. If you're using an older version of an app, the button might be in a slightly different place, so check your app's settings to make sure you're running the latest version.
Choosing between uploading and taking a new photo or video
After you tap the story button, the app will ask whether you want to use a photo or video you already have on your phone, or take a new one. If you choose to upload, the app opens your phone's photo library and you can scroll through and select the image or video you want. If you choose to take a new one, the app opens your device's camera so you can snap a photo or record a video right then.
Taking a new photo or video is usually faster if you want to post something right away. Uploading from your library is better if you want to use an older photo or a video you recorded earlier. Either way, after you select or record your content, you'll move to the editing screen where you can add text and effects.
Adding text, stickers, and effects to your story
Once you've chosen your photo or video, the editing screen appears. Most platforms put editing tools at the bottom or sides of the screen. You'll usually see icons for text, stickers, drawings, and filters. Tap the text icon to add words — you can type a caption, a question, or anything else you want to say. The sticker icon lets you add pre-made graphics, emojis, or location tags. The drawing tool lets you write or draw directly on your image with your finger.
Filters change the color or mood of your photo — swipe left or right on the screen to see different filter options, or tap a filter icon if your platform shows them as buttons. You can usually explore more than one effect at once. After you've added everything you want, look for a button that says "Share to Story," "Post to Story," or "Next" — tap it to move forward.
Understanding who can see your story
By default, your story is visible to all your followers or friends, depending on your platform and your account settings. On Instagram and Facebook, if your account is public, anyone can see your story. If your account is private, only people you've approved as followers can see it. On Snapchat, your story is visible to all your friends unless you change the settings.
Before you post, check whether your account is set to public or private. You can usually find this in your account settings under "Privacy" or "Account Settings." If you want to hide your story from specific people, some platforms let you block certain followers from seeing it, though you usually have to do this after you post rather than before.
What happens after you post your story
Once you tap the final "Share" or "Post" button, your story goes live when ready. Your followers will see it at the top of their feed, usually in a row of circles showing whose stories are available to watch. They can tap your circle to view your story, and they can reply to it with messages or reactions depending on your platform's settings.
Your story will stay visible for 24 hours from the time you post it. After 24 hours, it disappears from the main story feed automatically. However, most platforms save a copy of your story in an "Archive" or "Memories" section that only you can see. If you want to keep your story visible longer, you can save it to a permanent collection called "Highlights" on Instagram or Facebook — this keeps it on your profile indefinitely until you delete it.
Deleting or hiding a story before it expires
If you post a story and then change your mind, you can delete it before the 24 hours are up. On Instagram and Facebook, open your story, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select "Delete." On Snapchat, swipe left on your story in the Stories tab and tap the trash icon. The story will disappear when ready and your followers won't be able to see it anymore.
If you don't want to delete the whole story but want to hide it from certain people, some platforms let you do that too. On Instagram, you can hide your story from specific followers by going to your story settings and selecting "Hide Story From." This keeps the story visible to everyone else but hides it from the people you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can people screenshot my story without me knowing?
On Snapchat, you get a notification if someone takes a screenshot of your story. On Instagram and Facebook, you don't get a notification, so you won't know if someone screenshots it. Once something is posted, assume it can be saved by anyone who sees it.
What's the difference between posting to my story and posting to my feed?
Stories disappear after 24 hours, while feed posts stay on your profile permanently until you delete them. Stories also appear at the top of people's feeds in a row of circles, while feed posts appear in the main feed. Stories are meant to be temporary updates, while feed posts are meant to be more permanent.
Can I post to someone else's story?
No, you can only post to your own story. However, on Instagram and Facebook, other people can share your story to their own story, which shows your content to their followers. You'll get a notification when someone shares your story.
How do I know if my story posted successfully?
After you tap the final "Share" button, the app will return to the camera screen or your feed. Your story will appear at the top of your feed in a circle with your profile picture. If you don't see it there within a few seconds, try refreshing the app or checking your internet connection.
Can I edit my story after I post it?
Most platforms don't let you edit a story once it's posted — you have to delete it and post a new one instead. Some platforms are testing edit features, but as of now, the safest approach is to check everything before you tap "Share."