> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tryordinal.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Instagram

> Schedule Instagram Feed posts, Reels, and Stories from a Business or Creator account. Add tags, collaborators, and first comments.

Instagram rewards polished, visual content - and consistency. In Ordinal, you can schedule Feed Posts, Reels, and Stories, plus use Instagram-specific features like photo tagging, collaborators, and first comments.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/ordinal/9SNngH9d5toHVBfb/images/ig-hero.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=9SNngH9d5toHVBfb&q=85&s=05456b9474ab8aada6f3daa362584e3b" alt="Ig Hero" width="1500" height="900" data-path="images/ig-hero.jpg" />

## Overview

Instagram requires a **Business or Creator account** (not personal) and connects through Facebook.

<Info>
  You can easily switch your account to a Business or Creator account by following the [instructions here](https://help.instagram.com/502981923235522).
</Info>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Connecting Instagram" icon="plug" href="#connecting-instagram">
    Connect your Business or Creator account
  </Card>

  <Card title="Drafting a Post" icon="pen-to-square" href="#drafting-an-instagram-post">
    Formatting, tagging, and media
  </Card>

  <Card title="Post Types" icon="grid-2" href="#post-types">
    Feed, Reels, and Stories
  </Card>

  <Card title="Analytics" icon="chart-line" href="#analytics">
    Track post performance
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Connecting Instagram

Go to [**Settings → Profiles → Scheduling**](https://app.tryordinal.com/settings/profiles/scheduling/instagram), click "Connect Instagram", and sign in with Instagram to connect your account.

<Info>
  Make sure you are logged into the correct Instagram account you wish to connect before going through the integration flow by visiting [instagram.com](http://instagram.com) in your browser. You can always click "More" -> "Switch Accounts" on Instagram to login to the correct account.
</Info>

## Drafting an Instagram Post

### What you can post

| Feature                   | Supported | Notes                                           |
| ------------------------- | --------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| [Feed posts](#feed-posts) | ✅         | Up to 10 images/videos                          |
| [Reels](#reels)           | ✅         | Single video, up to 15 minutes                  |
| [Stories](#stories)       | ⚠️        | Up to 10 images/videos, no interactive elements |

### Drafting & Formatting

The Instagram editor supports rich formatting through Unicode characters:

* **Bold / Italic**: Use the toolbar buttons or press `Cmd/Ctrl + B` for bold and `Cmd/Ctrl + I` for italic
* **Hashtags**: Type `#` followed by your tag - Instagram allows up to 30 per post (tracked in the editor)
* **Mentions**: Type `@` followed by an Instagram handle to mention someone
* **Links**: Instagram captions don't support clickable links, but you can include URLs as text

Captions can be up to **2,200 characters**. The character counter updates in real-time as you type.

<Card title="Drafting Posts" icon="keyboard" href="/posts/drafting-posts">
  Full guide to formatting, mentions, slash commands, and keyboard shortcuts.
</Card>

### Post Preview

As you draft your post, the editor shows a live preview that matches how your content will appear on Instagram.

For planning your profile aesthetic, switch to **Grid Preview** to see how your new post will fit into your existing Instagram grid. This helps you maintain a consistent visual style across your profile.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/ordinal/9SNngH9d5toHVBfb/images/ig-grid.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=9SNngH9d5toHVBfb&q=85&s=4034e38711639f9280ed3e5dd23f924e" alt="Ig Grid" width="1500" height="900" data-path="images/ig-grid.jpg" />

### Photo Options

**Photo tagging**: Tag users directly on your images to increase engagement and notify them:

1. Add images to your post
2. Open the **Tags** option
3. Click anywhere on the image where you want the tag to appear
4. Enter the Instagram handle

<Note>
  Photo tagging is only available for images in Feed posts. Videos in Feed posts and all Reels content use text-based tagging instead.
</Note>

### Instagram-Specific Features

**Location**: Add a location to Feed posts to increase discoverability. Search for any place and it will appear on your published post.

**Collaborators**: Invite up to **3 other Instagram accounts** to co-author your post. When published, collaborators receive a DM to accept the invitation, and the post appears on both profiles.

<Warning>
  Tagging as Collaborator only works if each collaborator's Instagram profile meets the following requirements:

  * **Profile visibility: Set to Public**
  * **Tags and Mentions**: Both set to **Allow from everyone** (found in Instagram [Settings → Privacy → Tags & Mentions](https://www.instagram.com/accounts/settings/v2/tags_and_mentions/))
</Warning>

**Cover Photo** (Reels only): Pick any frame from your video or upload a custom thumbnail for your Reel. See [Cover photos for videos](/posts/media#cover-photos-for-videos) for details.

**Share to Feed** (Reels only): Control whether your Reel appears in both your profile grid and the Reels tab, or just in Reels.

## Post Types

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Feed Posts">
    Feed posts appear in your profile grid and followers' feeds. They support up to 10 images/videos.

    | Spec       | Limit                                |
    | ---------- | ------------------------------------ |
    | Formats    | JPG only (PNG auto-converted)        |
    | Image size | 8MB max per image                    |
    | Max pixels | 36 million per image                 |
    | Per post   | Up to 10 images/videos (carousel)    |
    | Aspect     | 4:5 (portrait) to 1.91:1 (landscape) |

    **Videos in Feed:**

    | Spec     | Limit            |
    | -------- | ---------------- |
    | Formats  | MP4, MOV         |
    | Duration | Up to 60 seconds |
    | Aspect   | 4:5 to 16:9      |

    Ordinal automatically compresses videos larger than 125MB or wider than 1920px to meet Instagram's requirements.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Reels">
    Reels are short-form vertical videos that appear in the Reels tab and can optionally show in your grid.

    | Spec     | Limit                     |
    | -------- | ------------------------- |
    | Formats  | MP4, MOV                  |
    | Duration | Up to 15 minutes          |
    | Per post | 1 video only              |
    | Aspect   | 0.01:1 to 10:1 (flexible) |

    **Reel-specific options:**

    * **Cover Photo**: Pick a frame from the video or upload a custom thumbnail to display on your grid and in your Reels tab.
    * **Share to Feed**: Toggle whether the Reel appears in your profile grid

    <Tip>
      Reels consistently get higher organic reach than static posts. If growing your audience is a priority, prioritize Reels.
    </Tip>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Stories">
    Stories are ephemeral content that disappears after 24 hours.

    | Spec     | Limit                  |
    | -------- | ---------------------- |
    | Formats  | JPG, PNG, MP4, MOV     |
    | Per post | Up to 10 images/videos |
    | Duration | 3–60 seconds (videos)  |
    | Image    | 8MB max                |

    **Story limitations:**

    Instagram's API restricts what can be scheduled for Stories:

    * ❌ No stickers, polls, questions, or countdowns
    * ❌ No link stickers
    * ❌ No music
    * ❌ No captions (the editor is hidden for Stories)

    For interactive Stories, post directly in the Instagram app.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Card title="Media & Assets" icon="image" href="/posts/media">
  Full specifications for all platforms including recommended dimensions.
</Card>

## Auto-Engagements

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/ordinal/9SNngH9d5toHVBfb/images/Instagram-auto-eng.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=9SNngH9d5toHVBfb&q=85&s=e786bfe22c2f4eab76de96663488abda" alt="Instagram Auto Eng" width="1500" height="900" data-path="images/Instagram-auto-eng.jpg" />

Schedule a **first comment** to publish automatically after your post goes live. This is the only auto-engagement type available for Instagram due to API limitations. The comment must be posted from the same account that the post is scheduled for.

| Type              | What it does                                                         |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **First Comment** | Add a comment immediately after posting (great for hashtags or CTAs) |

<Tip>
  Many creators put their hashtags in the first comment to keep captions cleaner. It doesn't affect discoverability.
</Tip>

<Card title="Auto-Engagements" icon="thumbs-up" href="/posts/auto-engagements">
  Full guide to setting up timing, best practices, and troubleshooting.
</Card>

## Analytics

View post performance in [**Analytics → Instagram**](https://app.tryordinal.com/analytics/instagram). You'll see impressions, engagement breakdown (likes, comments, saves, shares), profile visits, and new followers gained from each post.

Analytics sync automatically each day. You can also manually refresh stats using the **Refresh Stats** button (once per hour) to see the latest performance data.

<Card title="Analytics overview" icon="chart-mixed" href="/analytics/overview">
  Learn more about tracking performance across all your connected profiles.
</Card>

## Learn more

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Facebook" icon="facebook" href="/social-profiles/facebook">
    Shares authentication with Instagram.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Threads" icon="threads" href="/social-profiles/threads">
    Also uses Meta authentication.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>