Want to know how to schedule posts on Instagram?
Imagine you’re a busy creator. You’ve just taken a great photo to share on Instagram. But instead of relaxing, you remember it’s time to post it.
Sounds familiar?
Posting on Instagram at the right time can be tough and takes away from your fun in creating. But there’s a way out – scheduling your posts. This means you can plan when to post your photos and videos ahead of time. It gives you more time to be creative and talk to your followers.
Let’s take a look at how to schedule your posts on Instagram to save time and boost your creativity.
Can you schedule Instagram posts in advance?
Yes, you can schedule instagram posts in advance. In fact, there is more than one ways of scheduling posts on instagram. In this post we will cover them all.
Now that you know that you can schedule instagram posts, the next question is if you should do it. The answer to that question is a yes as well. Scheduling instagram posts helps you execute your social media marketing strategy effortlessly.
Do’s Before You Start Scheduling
Switch to a Business or Creator Account: Before you dive into how to schedule posts on Instagram, ensure your account is set to Business or Creator. These types offer insights and scheduling features not available in personal accounts.
Connect Your Instagram to Your Facebook Page: Link your Instagram to your Facebook page. This step simplifies the use of many scheduling tools and enhances the insights you get from your posts.
Prepare High-Quality user-generated Content: High-resolution visuals are key. Gather images and videos with at least 1080 pixels resolution for your standard and carousel posts. Also, prepare captivating captions in advance. Quality content attracts more engagement. Also, when creating content, don’t forget about Instagram reel ideas. Preparing interesting captions and including engaging concepts in reel content improves the overall quality of your feed.
Choose the Right Aspect Ratio for Images and Videos: Stick to aspect ratios of 1.91:1 for landscapes, 1:1 for squares, and 4:5 for portraits. For videos, maintain these aspect ratios and keep their length between 3 and 60 seconds for optimal engagement.
Collect Trendy and Relevant Hashtags: Research and compile hashtags that align with your content and are trending. Using the right hashtags helps reach a wider audience and increases the visibility of your posts.
How to Schedule Posts on Instagram: An easy step-by-step guide
Scheduling posts on Instagram isn’t just a shortcut; it’s a smart strategy that demands an understanding of the platform. For many, the process might seem daunting at first. But don’t worry, with this step-by-step guide, you’ll master the art of Instagram scheduling effortlessly.
So, let’s get started and walk through the three proven methods to schedule Instagram posts in advance, ensuring you stay ahead in your social media game.
- Schedule posts on Instagram via the mobile app.
- Schedule posts on Instagram via Meta Suite.
- Schedule posts on Instagram via third-party apps.
How to schedule posts on Instagram via the mobile app
For those of you who prefer scheduling Instagram posts through the native app, here is a short run down to its process. This method shows how to schedule Instagram posts without a third-party app, using the features available directly on Instagram.
Open Instagram: Launch the Instagram app on your iOS or Android device.
Start a New Post: Tap on the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen.
Select Your Content: Choose a photo/video you wish to upload, then click “Next.”
Edit Your Post: Apply any filters or add music if desired, and then tap “Next.”
Access Advanced Settings: Scroll down and tap on the “Advanced Settings” option.
Enable Post Scheduling: Find and enable the “Schedule this post” toggle. Choose the date and time you want your post to go live and tap “Done.” Tap on the back button to return to your post preview.
Confirm Scheduling: Tap on “Continue scheduling” to finalize the timing.
Share Your Post: Tap on “Share” to schedule your post. It will automatically go live at the scheduled time.
Need to make changes to your scheduled Instagram posts? No problem. Instagram’s app allows you to edit, reschedule, share immediately, or even delete your scheduled posts.
Simply go to the ‘Hamburger’ menu, select ‘Scheduled Content,’ and then tap on the three-dotted menu beside the post you want to modify. From there, you’ll have options to ‘Edit Post,’ ‘Reschedule,’ ‘Share Now,’ and ‘Delete,’ allowing you to manage your content exactly as you need.
Note: According to the guidelines given by Instagram, a user can schedule a maximum of 25 posts per day, and up to 75 days in advance.
Schedule posts on Instagram via Meta Suite
Meta Business Suite, formerly known as Creators Studio, is Meta’s very own in-house tool designed for seamless content scheduling. It’s a powerful resource, especially for Instagram users looking to smoothen their posting process.
If you prefer scheduling posts from your desktop browser, accessing Meta Business Suite is simple. Visit business.facebook.com for seamless scheduling. Explore our step-by-step guide to scheduling Instagram posts from your desktop for more detailed instructions.
This tool, also available as a mobile app, brings the convenience of scheduling right to your fingertips. Curious about how it works?
Let’s dive into the step-by-step guide for your Instagram scheduling needs:
Install Meta Suite: Download and open the Meta Suite app on your Android or iOS device.
Log In and Set Up: Use your Facebook credentials to log in. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your account.
Start Creating a Post: Tap on the “+” icon and select “Post.” Then, choose the “Photo/video” option to upload your desired content.
Select Your Instagram Profile: In the drop-down menu, make sure to select your Instagram profile.
Craft Your Post: Write an engaging caption and include relevant, trendy hashtags. Once done, tap on “Next.”
Schedule the Post: Select the “Schedule for Later” option. Choose the date and time you want your post to go live and tap “Schedule.”
Confirm Scheduling: Tap “Schedule” again to finalize and confirm the timing of your post.
Editing Scheduled Posts: If you need to make changes, scroll to the “Recent Posts” section, tap on “See details” next to the post, and then tap the three-dotted vertical menu. Here, you can choose to “Edit Post”, “Duplicate Post”, or “Delete Post” as needed.
Schedule posts on Instagram via third-party apps:
When it comes to scheduling Instagram posts, third-party tools offer an array of advanced features not typically found in the native app or Meta Suite. These tools provide the flexibility to schedule posts far into the future without stringent time limits, opening up a world of possibilities for meticulous content planning and strategy.
Among the popular Instagram scheduling tools; Buffer, Hootsuite, Later, and Planoly, RecurPost stands out for its user-friendly interface and robust functionalities. RecurPost takes scheduling a notch higher with features like auto-scheduling at the best time, managing evergreen content, and the convenience of bulk scheduling.
Let’s delve into how RecurPost can transform your Instagram management, followed by a step-by-step guide to using this powerful tool.
Download and Sign Up: Get the RecurPost app from the PlayStore or App Store. Sign up for your preferred plan.
Add Your Instagram Account: Open the app and tap on “Add Social Accounts.” Then select “Instagram” and choose “Add Business Profile.”
Link to Facebook: You’ll be redirected to the Facebook app. Sign in with your Facebook credentials and follow the instructions to link your accounts.
Prepare Your Post: Back in Recurpost, tap the “Share a post” button. Then tap on “+”, select your Instagram account, and hit “Done.”
Upload and Customize: Tap the “Camera” icon to upload your images/videos. Write an engaging caption, include your keywords, and add relevant hashtags.
Choose Post Type: Tap on “Customize” and select the “Instagram” icon. Then choose “Feed” from the Instagram post type options.
Schedule Your Post: Enable the “Schedule Post” toggle and set your desired date and time.
Alternatively, you can also select “Auto-Schedule for best time within next 24 hours” for optimized posting.
Finalize and Schedule: Once everything is set, tap on “Done” and then “Schedule” to confirm your post timing.
Editing Scheduled Posts: If you need to edit a scheduled post, simply go to the Recurpost dashboard, find the post, tap the three-dotted vertical menu, and select “Edit this post.”
Best Practices For Scheduling Posts on Instagram
Balance Promotional and Engaging Content: Balancing your content is key. Too much promotion can push followers away, and only engaging content might not meet your goals. Mix promotional posts with engaging material like tutorials and behind-the-scenes stories to keep your audience interested and informed.
Stay Adaptable to Trends: Keep an eye on emerging trends and viral topics. Being quick to incorporate these can increase your content’s relevance and appeal. However, always ensure they align with your brand’s voice and values.
Understand the Instagram Algorithm: The algorithm favors content that engages users through likes, comments, and shares, and therefore it becomes crucial to understand how the Instagram Algorithm works. Familiarize yourself with these nuances to craft posts more likely to be favored and seen by a wider audience.
Good time to post on Instagram : Analyzing when your followers are online and most active is crucial. Scheduling posts during these windows can significantly increase engagement, as your content is more likely to be seen.
Include Related Keywords: Keywords aren’t just for websites; they’re also valuable on Instagram. Use them in your captions and hashtags to enhance your content’s searchability within the platform. But remember, avoid stuffing them, instead describe what your Instagram post is all about.
Utilize Instagram Analytics: Analytics can tell you which type of content performs best, what times yield the most engagement, and who your audience is. This continuous learning process is vital for refining your strategy over time.
Utilize a Content Calendar: A content calendar is key for planning your Instagram posts. It helps you organize your posts ahead of time, keeping a consistent theme and a good mix of content. This way, you can align your posts with special events or trends and have a clear plan for what to post and when making your Instagram strategy more effective and less stressful.
Stay Updated with Instagram’s Policies: Instagram occasionally updates its terms and features. Staying informed helps you avoid any potential disruptions to your posting schedule and ensures your content strategy remains effective.
Regularly Check Live Posts: Sometimes, posts may appear differently than planned. Regular checks allow you to quickly fix any formatting issues, broken links, or incorrect hashtags, ensuring a professional appearance.
Keep Your Scheduling Tools Updated: Scheduling tools frequently roll out updates that can include new features or improved interfaces. Staying current with these updates can enhance your scheduling experience and provide new opportunities for your strategy.
Conclusion
As we wrap up this guide on how to schedule Instagram posts, one important question to consider is: does scheduling Instagram posts affect engagement? The answer is quite encouraging.
Properly scheduled posts, aligned with your audience’s most active hours, do not negatively impact engagement. Instead, they can boost your presence by ensuring you post consistently and at the best times.
Remember, the power of scheduling lies in its ability to free up your time, allowing you to focus more on content creation and less on timing.
So, go ahead, schedule your posts smartly, and watch as your Instagram community flourishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, business and creator accounts can schedule posts directly through the Instagram app, but this feature is limited. For more flexibility, many users opt for third-party tools.
Generally, using third-party scheduling tools does not negatively affect your post’s reach or engagement as long as the content is engaging and posted at the right time. It’s crucial to choose reputable scheduling tools that are officially recognized by Instagram.
No, you don’t need to be online. One of the main benefits of scheduling posts is that they automatically go live at the scheduled time, whether or not you are online. However, it’s often beneficial to check in shortly after your post goes live to engage with any immediate comments or reactions.
The resounding answer is yes, you can schedule all types of content like Stories, Reels, and IGTV. However, one should always check the features of the tools that they are using.
The best time depends on your specific audience. Generally, it’s when most of your followers are online and engaging with content. Use Instagram Insights (for business accounts) to analyze when your followers are most active and schedule posts accordingly.
Yes, most third-party scheduling tools allow you to tag people and add location tags to your scheduled posts. If you’re scheduling directly through Instagram, you can also include these tags. However, the process may vary slightly depending on the tool you’re using, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with your chosen tool’s specific features and capabilities.
If you’re unable to schedule posts, ensure your Instagram mobile app is updated and your account is correctly linked with Facebook. If issues persist, checking with the scheduling tool’s support or the Instagram help center may resolve the problem.
Debbie Moran is a Digital marketing strategist with 5+ years of experience producing advertising for brands and helping leaders showcase their brand to the correct audience. She has been a part of RecurPost since 2019 and handles all the activities required to grow our brand’s online presence.