Schedule Instagram Reels
Quick answer
SchedulePost schedules Instagram Reels through the Instagram Graph publishing API. You connect an Instagram professional account, upload a video with a caption, pick a date and time, and the video is published as a Reel that is also shared to the feed. Creator and Studio include a 7-day free trial with a card collected at checkout, then a paid subscription. Unlimited posts under fair use and provider limits, REST API and MCP are included.
Updated
How it works
- Connect your Instagram account from the Channels screen. Instagram publishing works for professional (Business or Creator) accounts linked through Meta.
- Upload one video and write the caption.
- Pick the date and time, or add the post to the Smart Schedule queue.
- Optionally select more channels, such as TikTok, YouTube or an account group, so the same upload goes to all of them.
- Check the Queue screen for what is waiting, and Sent for the Instagram result.
Schedule the same video to Reels and Shorts
Connect your Instagram professional account and your YouTube channel. Upload a compatible vertical video once, then select both channels. Write the Reel caption and check the separate YouTube title, description and privacy before choosing a time.
Check the result for each channel in Sent after the scheduled time. An Instagram success does not mean YouTube also succeeded. SchedulePost sends the same file and does not crop it, add music or guarantee that either platform accepts it.
What gets published
A single video becomes a Reel, and SchedulePost asks Instagram to share it to the feed as well. A single image becomes a regular image post, and several images become a carousel of up to 20 items. The caption you write is sent as the Reel caption.
Instagram fetches the video from a public link that SchedulePost provides, creates a media container, waits for processing and then publishes it. If Instagram rejects the video, the post is marked failed with Instagram’s message.
Account requirements and limits
Instagram only offers its publishing API to professional accounts, so a personal account cannot be scheduled from any third-party tool. Instagram can also ask for Page Publishing Authorization on a linked Facebook Page; SchedulePost shows that error when it happens. If the Instagram token expires you are asked to reconnect.
SchedulePost does not re-encode or crop video. Use the free aspect ratio checker before uploading: Reels work best at 9:16, and Instagram also accepts 4:5 and 1:1.
Scheduling Reels from code
POST /api/v1/schedule takes a video URL, a caption, the connection ids and a scheduledFor timestamp. POST /api/v1/queue picks the next free slot instead. Both need an API key with the posts:write permission, and the same operations are available through the MCP server.
Instagram Reels scheduling facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Account type | Instagram professional (Business or Creator) account |
| One video | Published as a Reel, also shared to the feed |
| Several images | Published as a carousel of up to 20 items |
| Caption | Sent with the post; Instagram allows up to 2,200 characters |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 recommended; 4:5 and 1:1 also accepted |
| Cost to schedule | Creator and Studio include a 7-day free trial with a card collected at checkout, then a paid subscription. Unlimited posts under fair use and provider limits, REST API and MCP are included. |
Frequently asked questions
Can I schedule Instagram Reels ahead of time?
Yes. Pick a date and time, or add the post to the Smart Schedule queue. SchedulePost publishes the video as a Reel through the Instagram Graph API when it is due.
Do I need a professional Instagram account?
Yes. Instagram offers its publishing API only to professional (Business or Creator) accounts, so personal accounts cannot be scheduled from SchedulePost or any other third-party scheduler.
Does the Reel also appear on my feed?
Yes. SchedulePost asks Instagram to share each Reel to the feed as well.
Can I post the same video to Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Upload once, select the channels or an account group, and SchedulePost sends the same file to each. It does not crop or reformat the video, so check that the aspect ratio suits every platform first.
Is scheduling Instagram Reels free?
Creator and Studio include a 7-day free trial with a card collected at checkout, then a paid subscription. Unlimited posts under fair use and provider limits, REST API and MCP are included.