Have you ever scheduled an Instagram post and then waited anxiously for it to go live, only to find that it never did? It can be frustrating, especially if you’ve put a lot of time and effort into creating your post.
In this blog post, I’ll discuss some of the most common reasons why your scheduled posts are not posting on Instagram. I’ll also provide solutions to help you fix the problem.
However, we have seen people who are not able to schedule posts at all. If that is what you are having issues with then go read our guide on Why can’t I schedule posts on Instagram professional account.
Let’s dive right in.
Why are my Scheduled Posts not Posting on Instagram:
Facing issues with your scheduled posts not appearing on Instagram, even when using tools to schedule Instagram posts can be frustrating. To address this, check your content’s compliance with Instagram guidelines and permissions, and ensure your app is up-to-date. Troubleshooting these common issues can help your scheduled posts get back on track.
Reasons and Solutions
1. Reason: You don’t have a business or creator account
Explanation:
Instagram only allows business and creator accounts to schedule posts. This is because Instagram wants to make sure that businesses and creators are able to post consistently and effectively.
Solution:
To switch to a business or creator account, follow these steps:
- Open the Instagram app and tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
- Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner and select “Settings.”
- Tap on “Account” and then select “Switch to Professional Account.”
- Choose whether you want to create a business or a creator account.
- Follow the instructions to complete the switch.
Once you have switched to a business or creator account, you will be able to schedule posts, including the ability to schedule Instagram stories, using the Instagram app and even using a third-party scheduling tool.
2. Reason: You have direct scheduling disabled
Explanation:
This reason is only if you are using a third-party scheduling app that has the direct scheduling feature. Skip this if you are having this problem on Instagram natively as well. Direct scheduling is a feature that allows third-party scheduling tools to publish your posts directly on Instagram without requiring you to manually approve each post. This can save you a lot of time and effort, especially if you are scheduling a large number of posts.
However, direct scheduling is not enabled by default in all third-party scheduling tools. To enable direct scheduling, you will need to go into the settings of your scheduling tool and turn it on.
Moreover, if you’re experiencing difficulties with scheduling on Instagram, check out our guide on troubleshooting scheduling options not showing up on the platform.
Solution:
To enable direct scheduling in your third-party scheduling app, follow these steps:
- Open your scheduling app and go to the settings.
- Look for the direct scheduling option and turn it on.
- You may be prompted to connect your Instagram account to your scheduling app. If so, follow the instructions to do so.
Once you have enabled direct scheduling, your scheduled posts will be published directly to Instagram at the scheduled time.
3. Reason: Your post doesn’t meet Instagram’s guidelines.
Explanation:
Instagram has a set of community guidelines that all users must follow. These guidelines are designed to create a safe and inclusive environment for all users.
If your post violates Instagram’s community guidelines, it will not be published. In some cases, your account may even be suspended or banned.
Solution:
Here are some of the most common types of posts that violate Instagram’s community guidelines:
- Nudity and sexual content
- Violence and hate speech
- Bullying and harassment
- Spam and misleading content
- Copyright infringement
If you are unsure whether or not your post complies with Instagram’s community guidelines, it is best to err on the side of caution and not publish it. “Why does it work for someone else” is not a good question to ask Instagram (Meta) when your post fails. If you anyways want to ask that question, then go ahead and ask God “Why me?” Your chances of getting an answer from Meta are about the same.
4. Reason: You’re posting or scheduling too many posts in a short period of time.
Explanation:
Instagram has a limit on the number of posts that you can publish or schedule in a short period of time. This limit is in place to prevent spam and abuse.
If you exceed the posting or scheduling limit, Instagram will block you from posting or scheduling for a period of time. The length of the block will vary depending on how many times you have exceeded the limit in the past.
Solution:
To avoid being blocked, reduce the number of posts that you are posting or scheduling in a short period of time.
Here are some tips:
- Spread your posts out throughout the day.
- Schedule your posts in advance so that you don’t have to post them all at once.
- Use a third-party scheduling tool to help you schedule your posts in advance.
- If you are required to post a lot of posts in a short period of time, consider breaking them up into multiple posts.
The exact number of posts that you can publish or schedule in a short period of time is not publicly known. However, most experts recommend that you post no more than 10 posts per day and schedule no more than 20 posts per day.
5. Reason: You have a poor internet connection.
Explanation:
Instagram requires a strong internet connection to publish and schedule posts. If you have a poor internet connection, your posts may not be published or scheduled correctly.
Solution:
To ensure that your posts are published and scheduled correctly, connect to a strong internet connection before posting or scheduling.
Here are some tips for connecting to a strong internet connection:
- Use a Wi-Fi connection instead of a cellular data connection.
- Connect to a Wi-Fi network that has a strong signal.
- Move closer to the Wi-Fi router.
- Avoid using Wi-Fi networks in crowded areas.
- If you are using a cellular data connection, make sure that you have a good signal.
- Try restarting your phone or computer.
6. Reason: There’s a bug in your third-party scheduling app.
Explanation:
Third-party scheduling apps are not developed or maintained by Instagram. As a result, they may occasionally contain bugs that can prevent your posts from being published or scheduled correctly.
Solution:
If you suspect that your scheduled posts are not being published because of a bug in your third-party scheduling app, contact the developer of the app for support.
Here are some tips for contacting the developer of your third-party scheduling app:
- Check the app’s website or support center for contact information.
- Search for the app’s developer on social media and send them a message.
- Send the developer an email.
If you are using a third-party scheduling app, it is important to keep it up to date. Developers often release updates that fix bugs and improve performance.
You may also want to consider using a different third-party scheduling app if you are having frequent problems with your current app to schedule Instagram posts.
How to schedule Instagram posts the right way using RecurPost
1. Create an Account With RecurPost
To begin with the scheduling process, you will first have to create an account with RecurPost. For this, you will need to visit RecurPost and complete the sign-up process. You will have to fulfill all requirements and add your name and email address. Once you fill in the details, your account will be ready to get started with scheduling.
2. Add Your Social Media Profiles
Once you create a free account, you will be taken to the RecurPost dashboard. Multiple features and services would appear on the navigation bar for you to skim through. There is also the option of managing your social accounts and content libraries. On the panel towards the left of the screen, there is an option saying “add social accounts”.
3. Connect Your Instagram Profile
Since you want to schedule a post on Instagram in particular, the upcoming step would be to connect your Instagram profile with the RecurPost interface. This window will appear on your screen when you click on the “Add social account” option:
From all the given options, you need to choose the one that falls under the Instagram category. Choose the option saying “Instagram business profile”. Once you click on that, you will be taken to the Facebook login screen since Instagram and Facebook accounts are connected. Enter your username and password there. After this, you need to grant certain permissions to the RecurPost app for operating your account.
You do not have to worry about the privacy of your personal information because RecurPost guarantees the safety of your details. Select the option “Allow” and your account will be ready to auto schedule Instagram posts.
4. Start Creating Posts
Once your account is set up and ready for functioning, you will have the option of adding either one-off posts or repeating posts. One-off posts are the updates that get published only once, and repeating posts are the ones that get published multiple times in the future.
On the RecurPost main dashboard, there is an option saying “share a post” in a box. To create a one-off post, click on it.
Once you do that, a box will open up wherein you can add all the details about your post, including the things to post on Instagram. The main content, which will be in the form of a message or description, needs to be added. It can either be a link or text. There is also the option of adding media like GIFs, images, or videos.
After you design your post and fulfill all requirements, choose the social accounts on which you want to release the content, including those things to post on Instagram. You can even get a preview of how your content will look on the feed by clicking on the ‘Preview’ button in the bottom right corner of the box.
When all these steps are attained, it is time to put your post on a schedule. This can be done by choosing the “schedule” button and then adding the preferred date and time for posting, including things to post on Instagram. All your posts will then get published on Instagram as per the chosen schedules.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot scheduled Instagram posts that aren’t posting. First, make sure you have a business or creator account and that direct scheduling is enabled in your third-party scheduling app. Next, check to make sure your post complies with Instagram’s guidelines and that you’re not posting or scheduling too many posts in a short period of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check your Instagram account permissions and make sure you’re using a supported third-party scheduler.
The exact number of posts that you can publish or schedule in a short period of time is not publicly known. However, most experts recommend that you post no more than 10 posts per day and schedule no more than 20 posts per day.
Check your internet connection, make sure your post doesn’t violate any guidelines, and try restarting the app
The best times to schedule Instagram posts vary depending on your audience, but generally speaking early mornings and evenings are good times to post.
It is unlikely that you will get banned for posting too much on Instagram, but it is important to post high-quality content that is relevant to your audience.
Scheduling on Instagram allows you to create and publish posts at a specific time in the future, using either the Instagram app or a third-party scheduler.
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.