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

# How do I post an Instagram Reel or Story?

> Schedule Instagram photos, carousels, Reels and Stories from PublishBuddy, and what each one needs.

You can schedule four kinds of Instagram posts: a photo, a carousel, a Reel and a Story. This works the same whether you connected the account through Facebook or with the Instagram login. If you haven't connected it yet, see [Connect Instagram](/help/connect/instagram).

Every Instagram post needs media. A text-only post stops with "Instagram does not support this type of post." For an account on the Instagram login, the message says "Instagram-direct" instead.

## Post a photo or carousel

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the composer">
    Click **New Post** and pick your Instagram account under **Accounts**. Leave the type on **Post**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add your media">
    Add one image for a single photo. Add several for a carousel. A post holds up to 8 files.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write the caption">
    Type your text. It goes out as the caption.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose when it goes out">
    Click **Add to Queue**, or use the arrow next to it to **Schedule** or **Publish Now**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

A carousel can mix photos and videos. Videos in a mixed carousel can't be 9:16 (tall vertical). If one is, saving stops with "Mixed media contents validation failed." Use photos only, or post the vertical video as a Reel.

## Post a Reel

<Steps>
  <Step title="Pick Reel">
    In the composer, pick your Instagram account, then click **Reel** at the top.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add one video">
    Add exactly one video. PublishBuddy checks that it's 3 seconds to 15 minutes long and no bigger than 1 GB.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write the caption">
    Your text becomes the Reel's caption. Emoji and **Write with AI** work as usual.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Schedule it">
    Pick a time or add it to your queue.
  </Step>
</Steps>

A video sent as **Post** also goes out as a Reel. That's how Instagram handles videos.

<Note>
  You can set a **Thumbnail** on a video for Instagram accounts connected through Facebook. It must be a JPG up to 8 MB. Right now it's only used when you send the video as **Post**. A thumbnail on a **Reel** is ignored.
</Note>

## Post a Story

<Steps>
  <Step title="Pick Story">
    In the composer, pick your Instagram account, then click **Story** at the top.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add one image or video">
    A Story takes exactly one file. After you add it, the upload box turns off.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Schedule it">
    There's no caption to write. Pick a time or add it to your queue.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Stories go out without a caption. The text box, emoji and **Write with AI** all turn off when you pick **Story**. If you want to add text or stickers, put them on the image or video before you upload it.

You can't add follow-up comments to a Story.

## Post to Instagram and other networks together

You can send one post to Instagram and other networks at the same time. Two things to know:

* **Reel** only works when every account you picked is on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.
* **Story** only works when every account is on Facebook or Instagram.

To post a Story to Instagram and a regular post to LinkedIn, make two posts. See [Posts, Reels and Stories](/help/posts/post-types).

## Add a first comment

On Pro and Business, you can add a follow-up comment to an Instagram photo, carousel or Reel. On Instagram, comments are text only. It's a good spot for hashtags or a link. See [Add a follow-up comment](/help/posts/follow-up-comments).

## Related

* [Connect Instagram](/help/connect/instagram)
* [Posts, Reels and Stories: which networks take which](/help/posts/post-types)
* [Character, image and video limits for each network](/help/limits/media-limits)
* [My post failed](/help/troubleshooting/post-failed)


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.