How to directly Post on Instagram from RecurPost with Zapier

Social media scheduling simplifies marketing for busy teams. This guide demonstrates how to post on Instagram using RecurPost (a social media management tool) in combination with Zapier (a task automation platform) to automate your Instagram content posting

Linking these tools enables Instagram posting without coding. This method integrates with your Instagram marketing strategy while creating simple workflows that move content from RecurPost to Instagram through triggers and actions.

You’ll post directly to Instagram from RecurPost through Zapier, turning what used to be manual work into a hands-free process.

What is RecurPost?

RecurPost is a social media scheduling tool that schedules content ahead of time on multiple social media platforms.

RecurPost enables content planning through libraries scheduled at specific intervals. The Instagram post scheduler streamlines planning, organizing, and uploading content. For standard accounts, RecurPost sends app notifications when posts go live, requiring manual confirmation to complete posting.

With an Instagram business profile and RecurPost-Zapier integration, you can bypass notifications and post directly to Instagram. Zapier Instagram integration eliminates manual confirmation steps, automating the entire posting process.

Also, read about the Instagram Scheduler

What is Zapier?

Zapier connects apps using ZAPs that automate workflows extensively. Zapier manages Instagram integrations and operations without requiring coding or development knowledge. Teams can build workflows that automatically complete posting tasks.

Zapier posts to social media automatically by connecting apps and automating tasks. RecurPost Instagram for business integration with Zapier creates workflows handling the entire process from scheduling to posting.

By setting up a Zapier post to Instagram, you can automate your posts and ensure consistent updates. This combination offers Zapier Instagram automation to save time, reduce manual work, and maintain your Instagram strategy.

What You’ll Need (Prerequisites)

• RecurPost Account: Create and log into RecurPost. RecurPost organizes content and plans posts for multiple social networks including Instagram. Add Instagram as a Business or Creator account since personal accounts require manual notifications.

• Instagram Business Account: Automatic posting requires an Instagram Business or Creator account. Personal accounts receive phone notifications for manual posting, while direct posting through Zapier functions only with Business accounts.

• Zapier Account: Set up a Zapier account (free or paid plans available). Zapier connects apps through “Zaps” (automated workflows) without requiring technical skills.

• RecurPost-Zapier Link (Pass Key): Locate your unique pass_key in RecurPost settings. This key authorizes Zapier to access your account and must be saved for connecting RecurPost with Zapier.

RecurPost plans posts, Zapier creates automation, Instagram receives content through your business profile, with connections secured by your RecurPost pass_key and Instagram/Zapier login credentials.

Once set up, your posts will flow smoothly from RecurPost to Instagram on schedule.

Overview of the Workflow

• Plan Content in RecurPost: Add Instagram content (pictures/videos and text) to RecurPost and establish posting schedules.

• Zapier Watches: Zapier detects when posts are ready using triggers like “New Scheduled Post” in RecurPost.

• Zapier Takes Action: Zapier then posts your content to Instagram Business (using Instagram’s official tools). For instance, “Publish Photo(s)” shares pictures (single or multiple) with your caption.

• Automation: Zapier checks for new triggers every 1-15 minutes (free plan) then executes actions. Instagram posts publish automatically without manual intervention.

This setup creates a Zap (automated workflow) using RecurPost as the trigger app and Instagram for Business as the action app. Content including media links and captions flows directly from RecurPost to Instagram. The following steps detail the complete setup process.

Step 1: Set Up RecurPost and Instagram

• Link Your Instagram Business Profile to RecurPost. Access RecurPost dashboard, navigate to Accounts, and connect Instagram. Select Business Profile (connected through Facebook) for automatic posting. This connection enables RecurPost to post directly to Instagram Feed and Reels. Personal profiles cannot post automatically.

• Set Up Your Content and Schedule. Create a new content library in RecurPost (like “Instagram Library”) and add your posts – including images, videos, captions, and hashtags. Pick when you want posts to go live by setting posting times. RecurPost will share your content in order. Plan your posts several hours or up to a day ahead to give Zapier enough time to work.

• Check Your Direct Posting Setup. Look for Instagram (Business) in your connected accounts; it should show as active. As RecurPost explains, automatic posting works smoothly with Business or Creator accounts. (Getting this right means you won’t need push notifications; Zapier handles everything.)

This setup creates your content hub in RecurPost, ready to work with Instagram. Think of it as your social media command center, where Zapier will pick up your planned posts.

Step 2: Link RecurPost to Zapier

• Find Your RecurPost API Key. Navigate to Account Settings → Zapier in RecurPost to obtain your unique pass_key. This key secures the connection between Zapier and RecurPost.

• Set Up RecurPost in Zapier. Click Create Zap in Zapier and select RecurPost Instagram (or RecurPost) as your trigger app.

• Enter your email and the pass_key from RecurPost when prompted. This creates a secure connection between the tools.

• Check Your Setup. Test the connection through Zapier. Upon successful connection, Zapier gains access to scheduled posts from RecurPost.

You have now connected Zapier to RecurPost securely through a few clicks and your API key. This completes the Zapier trigger setup phase of the workflow.

Step 3: Set Up the Zap Trigger (RecurPost)

• Pick Your RecurPost Trigger. Open your Zap and select “RecurPost” (Instagram for Business integration) as the trigger app.

• Select an event like New Scheduled Post or New Update Posted. These events start your Zap when you add content to RecurPost. For instance, “New Scheduled Post” activates every time you add content to your library or queue.

• Select Your Social Account. The trigger usually asks which account or library to monitor. Pick your Instagram Business profile (under configure) or the specific content library you’re using. You can create multiple triggers if you need different workflows for different content.

• Run a Trigger Test. Zapier fetches recent data from RecurPost (latest scheduled post). Verify all elements pull correctly, including post text, image links, and metadata.

These triggers establish the foundation of your Zap: when RecurPost schedules content, Zapier activates. RecurPost provides triggers including “New Scheduled Post” and “Post Published”. “New Scheduled Post” triggers Zapier immediately when content schedules.

Step 4: Configure the Zap Action (Instagram for Business)

Set Up Instagram for Business Action. Add a new action in your Zap. Select “Instagram for Business” (Zapier’s Instagram Publishing tool) as your action app.

Select Your Publishing Option. Choose Publish Photo(s) (for single images or carousels) or Publish Video based on content type. Publish Photo(s) shares one or multiple images in a single post, requiring at least one image URL or file.

Connect Your RecurPost Data. During action setup, link your RecurPost information:

• Media: Add your image or video URL from RecurPost. (Zapier usually imports media automatically if RecurPost provides a hosted link.)

• Caption: Include your post text from RecurPost (keep it within Instagram’s ~2,200 character limit while staying engaging).

• Tags and Location: Add any user tags or location details from your RecurPost data. (You can tag up to 9 users in Zapier’s Instagram action.)

Configure Optional Settings. Customize posting preferences, selecting immediate publishing or scheduled posting (when available). Ensure content meets Instagram requirements (JPEG format, files under ~10 MB).

Verify the Action. Run a test post through Zapier to create a draft or actual post on your Instagram Business profile. Check error messages for issues like incorrect file formats or missing permissions.

Linking these elements creates an Instagram content distribution system through Zapier. Zapier connects to Instagram’s API (Business) and shares images and captions following the “Zapier connects to Instagram API” principle.

Step 5: Complete Setup and Enable Automatic Posting

• Activate Your Zap. After confirming trigger and action functionality, enable your Zap. Zapier checks for new RecurPost content every 1-15 minutes (free plan) and shares automatically on Instagram.

• Skip Push Alerts (Business Accounts Only). Business accounts bypass RecurPost’s push notifications (required for personal accounts). Content posts automatically through the API when using Zapier.

• Track Performance. Monitor Zapier task reports and RecurPost activity logs. Zapier sends email alerts for failed posts. Note common issues: Instagram’s 25 post daily limit and oversized files.

Your Zap now functions: each Instagram post planned in RecurPost automatically publishes through Zapier without manual posting or notification management.

Content Types You Can Share on an Instagram Account

This integration lets you post various Instagram formats:

• Photos (Feed Posts): Share single images using “Publish Photo(s)”. (Works with JPEG/PNG files up to ~10 MB; check image dimensions.)
• Carousels (Multi-Image Posts): “Publish Photo(s)” handles multiple images too. Add up to 10 image URLs in Zapier for a carousel post.
• Videos: Select “Publish Video” for MP4 files (up to ~100 MB on Instagram API). Link your video URL from RecurPost and add your caption. Note: The API treats Reels as video posts.
• Reels: If your Business account supports Reels, video uploads will show as Reels. (Zapier’s Instagram tool handles both formats the same way.)

Instagram Stories: Zapier’s Graph API integration does not support direct Story posting. RecurPost mobile app remains necessary for pushing Stories to Instagram. Instagram’s API includes a Story endpoint for direct API calls, but this feature lacks Zapier standard action support.

This workflow handles regular feed posts including photos, carousels, and videos using Instagram for Business’s publishing features. Creator accounts also support direct Feed posts and Reels publishing. Match your account type to content requirements.

Advanced Tips for Tech-Savvy Users

Use Zapier Filters & Paths

Add decision-making to workflows by setting rules to post only “Instagram” tagged content or creating different paths for various file types. This utilizes Zapier’s multi-step and Path capabilities.

Integrate Google Drive or Dropbox

Connect cloud storage to avoid direct image uploads. Configure Zaps to pull media from Google Drive or Dropbox, create RecurPost updates, and share on Instagram.

Custom API Requests

Zapier’s “API Request” (beta) action unlocks advanced Instagram features for posting Stories and creating carousel posts with user tags. This requires Instagram Graph API knowledge.

Use Webhooks for Quick Triggers

For instant posting, webhooks may provide faster triggering than RecurPost’s current polling system when they become available.

Batch Uploads Multiple Photos to Reach More Instagram Followers

Schedule multiple images as separate posts simultaneously using Looping by Zapier or multi-post actions.

Monitor and Handle Errors

Set up error alerts to monitor posting status, such as Slack notifications for failed Instagram posts.

Leverage Analytics to Optimize Content for Instagram Followers

Track post performance by setting up Zaps that collect engagement data through APIs or spreadsheets.

Connect with Other Social Media Sites

Extend automations beyond Instagram to other social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), and Pinterest through Zapier or RecurPost integrations. Segment posts by platform or audience using filters while maintaining brand consistency across channels.

Supported Triggers and Actions (Summary)

RecurPost Triggers: New Scheduled Post (activates when content is planned) and Post Published (fires when content goes live) start actions like Instagram posting.

RecurPost Actions: Zapier enables Adding New Content to Libraries or Scheduling Posts. Automatically send new blog posts to RecurPost for sharing.

Instagram Actions: The Instagram Business integration lets you Publish Photo(s) and Publish Video through their API. These actions create actual posts on your Business account.

Create powerful workflows by combining these components. Start with WordPress posts ending with RecurPost, or design combinations fitting your needs.

Best Practices and Summary

• Name Content Clearly: Give your RecurPost library and posts descriptive names that instantly tell you what Zapier will share.
• Optimize Images: Format your images to Instagram’s preferred 1:1 or 4:5 ratios, keep files under 10 MB, and maintain crisp quality.
• Use Hashtags Effectively: Include relevant hashtags in your RecurPost captions – they’ll automatically transfer through Zapier to boost your post reach.
• Schedule Smart: Pick prime engagement times for your posts. Since Zapier runs automatically, you can plan content 24-48 hours ahead for the best results.
• Watch Your Limits: Track Instagram’s daily posting cap (25 posts). If you hit this limit, Zapier tasks will fail, so space out your content wisely.
• Test Your Setup: Always run a complete test of your workflow before going live. Check if captions display properly and images post correctly.

Following these steps helps RecurPost work with Zapier to automate your Instagram posts. This combination creates a system that eliminates manual posting hassles. Social media managers can use this marketing automation solution to automate their Instagram feeds.

FAQs

Shalini Nagar

Shalini Nagar is an experienced content writer with a proven track record of creating diverse and engaging content across various formats. With years of expertise in crafting blogs, articles, she excels at delivering compelling narratives tailored to different audiences.