How to Schedule Instagram Posts (Step by Step)

How to schedule Instagram posts and Reels ahead of time: what account you need, step-by-step instructions, and the best way to plan a week at once.

Scheduling means writing your post now and letting it go out later, at a time you choose. It is the easiest way to post consistently without being on your phone all day.

What You Need First

Instagram only allows scheduling tools to publish to Business or Creator accounts. Both are free. In the Instagram app go to Settings, then Account type and tools, and switch. It takes about a minute and you keep all your followers and posts.

How to Schedule an Instagram Post with BeSocialist

1. Create a free BeSocialist account and connect Instagram (you log in on Instagram's own page, so we never see your password).
2. Open Make a post, write your caption and add a photo or video.
3. Pick Instagram, choose a date and time, and press Schedule.
4. That's it. The post goes out on time and appears in My posts, where you can see what's coming up.

Tips for Scheduling Well

• Plan a whole week in one sitting using a content calendar.
• Use a portrait image (1080 × 1350) for feed posts and 1080 × 1920 for Reels. More in our size guide.
• Start with the best time to post, then adjust to when your own followers are online.
• Stay around to reply to comments in the first hour after a post goes live. Scheduling doesn't replace talking to people.