Instagram tests ‘re-share’ label in effort to spur engagement

Instagram is experimenting with offering users new ways to promote other people’s content on the photo-sharing network -- a push that could boost engagement but open the door to more viral misinformation.

The Facebook Inc. unit said Tuesday it will give account holders the option to add a "re-share” sticker on top of their Instagram stories, ephemeral posts of annotated photos and videos. Adding the label will allow people to see a list of posts they have viewed in the last hour, saved or posted themselves. Vishal Shah, Instagram’s head of product, said in an interview that the company is trying to make reposted content more interesting to audiences, who typically prefer to see original posts in Instagram stories. Late last year, the company tested disabling the ability to re-share posts on Instagram stories altogether.