Instagram Posting Guide
At a Glance
Ngepost lets you publish Reels, Stories, single images, and photo carousels to Instagram.
What you can configure from Ngepost:
- Media type (Reels, Stories, Image, Carousel)
- Post title
- Video cover image
- Audio track name for original audio
- Collaborator tags
- User tags
- Location
- Share-to-Feed toggle for Reels
What Ngepost cannot do for Instagram:
- Add collaborators to Trial Reels
- Use Trial Reels with fewer than 1,000 followers
- Post Stories longer than 15 seconds per segment
- Post more than 10 images in a carousel
Limits
| Limit | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Reel duration | 90 seconds |
| Max Story segment duration | 15 seconds |
| Max images per carousel | 10 |
| Supported image formats | JPEG, PNG, GIF |
| Reel aspect ratio | 9:16 (vertical) |
| Image aspect ratio (recommended) | 1:1 (square) or 4:5 (portrait) |
| Trial Reel eligibility | Public accounts with 1,000+ followers |
| Story lifespan | 24 hours, then auto-delete |
Supported Content Types
Reels
Short-form vertical videos (9:16) for maximum reach and discovery.
- Max duration: 90 seconds
- Recommended resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
Reel Post Modes
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Regular Reel | Shown to all followers immediately |
| Trial Reel (Auto-share) | Shown to non-followers first; automatically shared with followers within 72 hours if it performs well |
| Trial Reel (Manual) | Shown only to non-followers; you decide later whether to share with followers |
Trial Reels appear as regular Reels to viewers. Only you can see that a Reel is marked as a Trial.
Stories
Ephemeral content that disappears after 24 hours.
- Max duration per segment: 15 seconds
- Format: Vertical (9:16)
Photo Carousel
Multiple images in a single swipeable post.
- Max images: 10
- Supported formats: JPEG, PNG
Single Image Posts
Standard image posts.
- Supported formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF
- Recommended aspect ratio: 1:1 (square) or 4:5 (portrait)
Post Settings
Media Type
| Content Type | Options |
|---|---|
| Video | Reels, Stories |
| Photo | Single Image, Carousel, Stories |
Title
- Required: No
- Fallback: Default post title used if left empty
- Distinct from the post caption
Video Cover
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Cover Image URL | Public URL for custom video cover image |
| Thumbnail Offset | Timestamp in milliseconds (e.g., 1000 = 1 second) |
Audio
- Audio Name:
"Original audio - Your Name"or a custom name - Only applies to original audio tracks
- Can be renamed after posting
Collaborators
- Comma-separated list of usernames
- Not available for Trial Reels
User Tags
- Comma-separated list of usernames
- Works for both video and image posts
Location
- Provide an Instagram Location ID
- Increases discoverability for local audiences
Share to Feed (Reels only)
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Share to Feed | Add the Reel to your profile grid |
Not available for Trial Reels.
Analytics
Ngepost tracks the performance of your Instagram posts.
Usage Tips
- Use Reels for reaching new audiences
- Use Stories for time-sensitive content and behind-the-scenes moments
- Use Trial Reels to test new content concepts before sharing with followers
- Add custom covers to keep your profile grid visually consistent
- Tag collaborators and locations when relevant to improve reach
- Monitor analytics to identify peak engagement times
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Causes |
|---|---|
| Trial Reel not available | Account must be public with at least 1,000 followers |
| Collaborator tag not applying | Collaborators not supported on Trial Reels |
| Story not appearing | Stories auto-delete after 24 hours |
| Carousel limited to 10 images | This is an Instagram hard limit |