Instagram Integration
This document provides detailed information about the Instagram features supported by the platform.
Supported Features
1. Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels are short-form vertical videos (9:16 aspect ratio) designed for maximum reach and discovery. This format appears in the Reels tab and can be recommended to users who don't follow you yet.
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
- Duration: Up to 90 seconds
- Recommended Resolution: 1080x1920 pixels
- Best Practices:
- Use engaging titles and covers
- Add trending audio when possible
- Enable "Share to Feed" to add to your profile grid
Post Modes for Reels
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Regular Reel | Shown to all followers immediately |
| Trial Reel (Auto-share) | Shown to non-followers first. If it performs well, automatically shared with followers within 72 hours |
| Trial Reel (Manual) | Shown only to non-followers. You decide later if you want to share with followers |
Note about Trial Reels: Only you can see that a Reel is marked as a Trial. To everyone else, it appears as a regular Reel. This feature is available for public Instagram accounts with at least 1,000 followers. Collaborators cannot be added to Trial Reels.
2. Instagram Stories
Stories are ephemeral content that disappears after 24 hours. They're perfect for time-sensitive content, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and creating a more personal connection with your audience.
- Duration: Up to 15 seconds per segment
- Format: Vertical (9:16)
- Availability: 24 hours then auto-delete
- Best Practices:
- Use engaging visuals and text overlays
- Include interactive elements (polls, questions, links)
- Perfect for announcements and limited-time offers
3. Photo Carousel
Carousel posts allow you to share multiple images in a single post. Viewers can swipe through each image, making it ideal for storytelling, product showcases, and step-by-step content.
- Maximum Images: Up to 10 images per carousel
- Supported Formats: JPEG, PNG
- Aspect Ratio: Square (1:1) or Portrait (4:5) recommended
- Best Practices:
- Create a cohesive visual story across all images
- Use consistent colors and filters
- Arrange images in a logical order
4. Single Image Posts
Single image posts are the standard format for sharing visual content on Instagram. This is the simplest way to share photos and works great for announcements, product showcases, and visual storytelling.
- Supported Formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF
- Aspect Ratio: Square (1:1) or Portrait (4:5) recommended
- Best Practices:
- Use high-quality images
- Add engaging captions with relevant hashtags
- Consider adding a location tag
5. Analytics
The platform provides analytics for your Instagram posts, helping you track performance and optimize your content strategy. You can view key metrics to understand how your content is performing.
Configuration Options
Media Type Selection
When creating an Instagram post, you can select from the following media types:
For Video Content
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Reels | Short-form vertical video (9:16), up to 90 seconds |
| Stories | Short-term content (24h ephemeral), up to 15 seconds |
For Photo Content
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Image | Single image post or carousel |
| Stories | Short-term content (24h ephemeral) |
Title
You can add a custom title to your Instagram post. This is different from the caption and appears in various places on the platform.
- If you leave this field empty, the default post title will be used
- You can customize this specifically for Instagram
Video Cover
For video posts (Reels), you can set a custom cover image:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Cover Image URL | Public URL for custom video cover image |
| Thumbnail Offset | Timestamp offset in milliseconds (e.g., 1000ms = 1 second) |
Audio
For original audio in Reels, you can specify the audio track name:
- Audio Name: "Original audio - Your Name" or custom name
- Only works for original audio
- You can rename the audio once posted
Collaborators
Add collaborator usernames to tag other accounts in your post. This is great for partnerships and group content.
- Format: Comma-separated list of usernames
- Not available for Trial Reels
Note: Collaborators cannot be added to Trial Reels due to Instagram restrictions.
User Tags
Tag specific users in your post content:
- Format: Comma-separated list of usernames
- Works for both video and image posts
Location
Add a location tag to your post:
- Location ID: Instagram location ID
- You can get this from the Instagram app or API
- Helps increase discoverability for local audiences
Share to Feed (Reels only)
For regular Reels (not Trial Reels), you can control whether the reel appears on your profile grid:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Share to Feed | Add the reel to your profile grid |
Best Practices
1. Choose the Right Format
- Use Reels for reaching new audiences and algorithmic discovery
- Use Stories for time-sensitive content and engagement
- Use Image Posts for high-quality visual storytelling
2. Optimize Your Content
- Add custom titles for better discoverability
- Use relevant hashtags in captions
- Tag collaborators and locations when appropriate
3. For Reels
- Enable "Share to Feed" for most content
- Use custom covers to make your grid look professional
- Add original audio to increase discoverability
4. For Trial Reels
- Great for testing new content concepts
- Only visible to non-followers initially
- Can be manually shared with followers if performance is good
5. Track Analytics
- Monitor which content performs best
- Adjust your strategy based on engagement metrics
- Post during peak engagement times
Additional Notes
- All Instagram settings are platform-specific and won't affect other connected platforms
- Stories automatically expire after 24 hours
- Trial Reels require at least 1,000 followers
- Collaborators cannot be added to Trial Reels
- Video posts can be scheduled or posted immediately