How to Schedule Instagram Posts
Scheduling your posts to Instagram has never been easier and here’s how you can do it. First things first, you’ll want to sign up for for free.
Step 1: Connect Instagram Business or Creator Profile
When you sign up for , you can connect your Instagram Business, Creator, or Personal profile.
However, due to Instagram’s API limitations, each profile type has access to different features — which is why we recommend using an Instagram Business or Creator profile. For the sake of the remaining steps, we’ll assume you have an Instagram Business profile.
Step 2: Upload Content to ’s Media Library
Click “Upload Media” on for desktop and add content from your computer, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
You can also drag and drop files directly into the Media Library, for an even faster process!
Step 3: Find User-generated Content (Optional)
has a collection of paid tools to help you find user-generated content (UGC) to add to your library.
Using the “Collect Media” button, you can search for Instagram posts that have tagged or mentioned you, or search via a specific hashtag or profile:
Remember to ask permission before you repost and tag and credit the creator in your caption.
Step 4: Select Content to Schedule
Choose the Instagram profile you’d like to publish to (double-check the highlighted circle). Then, drag and drop selected content from your Media Library to the content calendar:
Step 5: Optimize Your Instagram Post
Write your caption, include relevant emojis (if applicable), and insert hashtags to help maximize your reach and engagement. With ’s Saved Captions tool, you can save your favorite hashtags as a caption for easy copy and pasting — whenever you need them.
Alternatively, you can use the tool to save a great caption for future purposes, too:
Step 6: Edit Your Image or Video (Optional)
Tap “Edit Image” or “Edit Video” to add design elements to your post.
With ’s crop tool, you can make sure your content meets Instagram’s approved dimension sizes — whether it’s square, portrait, or landscape:
With the filter tool, you can choose from an array of colorful filters to enhance your photo. And the trim tool lets you trim the length of your videos. Click “Update Image” or “Update Video.”
Step 7: Choose the Date and Time to Schedule Your Post
If you have an Instagram Business profile, select “Auto Publish” from the dropdown list and select the date and time you want your post to go live.
Click “Save” — and voila!
If you have an Instagram Personal profile, you cannot auto-publish posts due to Instagram’s API limitations. Instead, you will receive a mobile notification when it’s time to post.
Once you open the notification and tap “Open in Instagram”, your caption (and hashtags) will be copied to your clipboard, and the image will be uploaded to your camera roll.
TIP: Here’s a full breakdown of how notification publishing works.
Step #8: Review How Your Grid Will Look With ’s Visual Planner
’s Visual Planner is a user favorite — and for good reason. With the feature, you can see exactly what your Instagram grid will look like before you post on Instagram.
Not feeling its current lineup? Rearrange your posts directly in the Visual Planner to find the perfect balance for your grid.
When you’re happy, click “Save Changes.” Your posts’ dates and times will automatically update based on their new order, as reflected in the Planner Scheduling sidebar.
Two words: game changer.
