What "adding someone else's story to your story" actually means
When you repost someone else's story, you are taking their content and sharing it to your own story feed. On Instagram and Facebook, this is called "sharing to your story" or using the repost feature. On TikTok, you "duet" or "stitch" existing videos. On Snapchat, you can save and reshare content, though the original creator gets notified. The exact steps and what the original creator sees depend on which platform you use and whether they have made their story public or limited it to close friends.
The reason this matters for privacy is straightforward: when you repost, you are deciding to show someone else's content to your audience. The original creator may not have intended their story to reach your followers, and they will usually get a notification that you shared it. Understanding how each platform handles these notifications, and what permissions you need, helps you respect other people's choices about who sees their content.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram lets you share public stories directly to your story with one tap, and the original creator gets a notification showing your username.
- TikTok's duet and stitch features let you respond to videos, but the original creator sees your username and can disable duets or stitches on their account.
- Snapchat notifies the original creator when you save and reshare their story, and they can see your username.
- Stories marked "close friends only" or with restricted visibility cannot be reposted on most platforms — the repost button will not appear.
- If someone asks you not to repost their content, removing it shows respect and may prevent conflict with that person.
How to repost on Instagram
Open the story you want to repost. Look for the paper airplane icon or the three dots menu in the bottom right corner of the story. Tap "Share to Your Story" or "Add to Your Story." Instagram will open your story editor, and you can add text, stickers, or drawings before posting. Once you publish, the original creator gets a notification that shows your username and a preview of your story.
If the repost button does not appear, the story creator has likely restricted who can share their content. Some accounts disable reposts entirely in their privacy settings. In that case, you cannot repost — you would have to take a screenshot and post it separately, though that is generally not recommended because it removes the original creator's attribution and they will not receive a notification.
Instagram also has a "Repost" feature for feed posts (not stories), which works similarly. The repost will include a label showing the original creator's name, and they will be notified.
How to duet and stitch on TikTok
TikTok uses two different features for reposting video content. A duet lets you record yourself responding to someone else's video side-by-side with theirs. A stitch lets you take a clip from someone else's video and edit it into your own. Both features notify the original creator with your username.
To duet: open the video you want to respond to, tap the share arrow, and select "Duet." Record your response, add captions or effects, and post. To stitch: tap the share arrow, select "Stitch," choose the clip you want to use (up to 5 seconds), and record your video around it. The original creator's clip will appear in your video with their name credited.
If a creator has turned off duets or stitches in their account settings, you will not see those options. Some creators disable them to prevent unwanted responses or to keep their content from being remixed. Respecting that choice means not finding workarounds — screenshotting or recording the screen and posting separately removes the creator's attribution and notification, which defeats the purpose of the feature.
How to save and reshare on Snapchat
Snapchat stories disappear after 24 hours, but you can save someone else's story and reshare it to your own story. Open the story you want to save, press and hold on it, and select "Save Story." The original creator gets a notification that you saved it. You can then add it to your story by going to your story editor, selecting "Memories," finding the saved story, and posting it.
Unlike Instagram and TikTok, Snapchat does not have a built-in repost button that automatically credits the original creator. When you reshare a saved story, it appears in your story feed, but the original creator's name may not be prominently displayed depending on how you edit it. This is why it is especially important to add a caption or tag crediting the person whose story you are sharing.
If someone's story is set to "My Friends" or a custom group, you can still save it if you are in that group, but you should check whether they would want it shared more widely before resharing to your own story.
What happens when you repost: notifications and visibility
Every major platform notifies the original creator when you repost their content. On Instagram, they see your username and a thumbnail of your story. On TikTok, they see your username and can view your duet or stitch. On Snapchat, they see that you saved their story, and if you reshare it, they may see that too depending on your privacy settings.
The original creator can then decide whether to engage with your repost — they might view it, screenshot it, or report it if they feel it violates their privacy. Some creators appreciate reposts because it extends the reach of their content. Others find it intrusive, especially if the repost changes the context of what they shared or if they did not intend for their story to reach a wider audience.
If the original creator asks you to remove a repost, most platforms let you delete your story. On Instagram and TikTok, you can delete the post from your profile. On Snapchat, you can remove it from your story. Doing so promptly shows respect and can prevent misunderstandings.
When you should not repost someone's story
Do not repost if the creator has explicitly asked you not to. Do not repost if the story contains personal information, like someone's location, workplace, or relationship status, that they may not want shared with a wider audience. Do not repost if the story is clearly meant to be private — for example, a vulnerable moment, a medical update, or a family photo that the creator shared only with close friends.
Be especially careful with stories that show other people. If someone else is in the story, they may not have consented to being shared with your audience. Even if the original creator is okay with it, the other people in the story might not be. A quick message asking "Is it okay if I share this?" takes a few seconds and prevents awkwardness later.
If you are unsure, the safest choice is to ask the creator first. A direct message saying "I love this story — would you mind if I shared it?" gives them a chance to say yes or no before you post.
How to disable reposts on your own stories
If you do not want others reposting your content, you can turn off the repost feature on most platforms. On Instagram, go to Settings, tap "Privacy," and toggle off "Allow Sharing" under the Stories section. This prevents others from using the "Share to Your Story" button on your posts and stories.
On TikTok, open your profile, go to Settings and Privacy, tap "Privacy Controls," and toggle off "Duet" and "Stitch" under the Interaction section. This prevents others from creating duets or stitches with your videos. You can also choose to allow duets and stitches only from accounts you follow, or from no one.
On Snapchat, you cannot fully disable saving, but you can control who can view your stories by setting them to "My Friends" or a custom group instead of public. This limits who can save and reshare your content in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I repost someone's story if they have blocked me?
No. If someone has blocked you, you cannot see their stories, and you cannot repost them. The block prevents you from accessing their content at all. If you have been blocked, trying to repost their content through another account or method would be disrespectful and could escalate the conflict.
What if I repost someone's story and they ask me to take it down?
Delete it as soon as you can. Go to your story or post, tap the three dots or menu icon, and select "Delete." Send them a message letting them know you have removed it. Most creators appreciate the quick response, and it shows you respect their wishes about their own content.
Does the original creator see my followers when I repost their story?
They see that you reposted it and your username, but they do not automatically see your full follower list. However, if they click on your name in the notification, they can view your profile and see how many followers you have. If your profile is public, they can also see your other posts and stories.
Can I repost a story if the person has set it to "close friends only"?
No. If a story is set to close friends only or any restricted visibility, the repost button will not appear. You cannot repost restricted content on Instagram or TikTok. On Snapchat, you can save it if you are in their close friends list, but resharing it to your public story would violate their privacy choice.
Is it okay to repost someone's story without asking first?
It depends on the relationship and the content. If it is a friend's funny moment or a public announcement they clearly wanted shared, a repost is usually fine — they will see the notification and can reach out if they are uncomfortable. If it is personal, sensitive, or you are unsure, ask first. A quick message takes seconds and prevents regret.