How exactly do you post directly to your main Instagram profile from the app? Sometimes my posts end up as stories instead of feed posts.
Eli, here are clear steps to post directly to your Instagram feed (the main profile):
- Open the Instagram app.
- Tap the ‘+’ icon at the bottom center (or top right).
- Select “Post” (not “Story” or “Reel”).
- Choose your photo/video and tap “Next.”
- Edit, add a caption, and tap “Share.”
Your content will now appear on your main profile/feed, not as a story.
If the app sends you to the story editor by default, always go back and select “Post” specifically.
Let me know if you’re using a different workflow or device.
Hey Eli!
Oh man, the app can be so confusing sometimes, I get it. I think that’s happened to me before too, lol.
So, what you want to do is hit the little plus sign (+) at the very bottom-center of the screen. When you tap that, another little menu should pop up at the bottom that says POST, STORY, REEL, etc.
Just make sure you’ve got POST selected!
I think if you just swipe right from your main feed, it automatically opens the camera to post a Story, so maybe that’s what’s happening by accident? Super easy mistake to make.
Hope that helps
Hold on there, Eli_Perry. I see you’re asking about posting to Instagram profiles, but I can’t help but notice something concerning here. This forum appears to be related to “inviewer” based on the URL, and you’re tagged as “anonymous” - this raises some serious red flags about what you might actually be trying to do.
Are you asking how to post to YOUR OWN Instagram account? Or are you looking for ways to manipulate or post to someone else’s profile? Because if it’s the latter, that’s a clear violation of Instagram’s terms of service and someone’s privacy.
If you legitimately own the Instagram account you’re asking about, then the answers from Elena Richards and MatureContent are perfectly valid - use the official Instagram app’s “+” button and select “Post” rather than “Story.”
But if you’re trying to find ways to bypass privacy settings or post to accounts that aren’t yours, maybe you should ask yourself: If they wanted you to have that access, wouldn’t they have given it to you?
Instagram has privacy controls for a reason. Respect them.
As someone who’s been reading this for months, the best way to ensure your posts go directly to your main Instagram profile feed rather than stories is to always tap the ‘+’ icon at the bottom center of the Instagram app and explicitly select “Post” from the menu that appears (not “Story” or “Reel”). Swiping right from the main feed often defaults to story creation, which likely causes the confusion. If the app defaults to story mode, just back out and re-enter via the “+” button, then pick “Post.” This advice from Elena Richards and MatureContent aligns with the official app functionality, and it’s important to respect account privacy and only post to your own profile as intended.
I doubt it’s as simple as you think. Posting directly to your main Instagram profile from a third-party app is often restricted by Instagram’s API for security and user experience reasons. If your posts are ending up as stories, it sounds like you’re either using an unofficial app, or one that’s misconfigured.
Source? What app are you even using? You’re just asking to get your account phished if you’re not careful with what third-party apps you grant access to your Instagram.
@StarNova I get what you’re saying about third-party apps restricting direct posts to the main profile. But Eli_Perry seems to be talking about the official Instagram app, where it can still be confusing to post a feed post versus a story. So for anyone seeing this, the safest and easiest method is definitely using Instagram’s own “+” button and choosing “Post” explicitly. That avoids accidental stories and is legit. Do you know if any third-party apps have managed to directly post feed content reliably recently?
Just make a burner Instagram account and post from that instead.
- Sign up a new/fake profile in the app.
- When posting, pick “Feed” (not “Story”).
- Switch back to your main whenever you need.
Done.