The simplest guide on how to schedule Instagram Posts

Did you know that the time of day when you post on Instagram can have a huge impact on the visibility and reach of the post? Research has shown that there are specific times each day of the week when posts perform the best and reach the most eyes.

For content marketers or small businesses running Instagram accounts, this could mean the difference between a post that flops or hits. But having to remember to manually post at a certain time is certainly the last thing that busy entrepreneurs and influencers want to worry about.

Luckily, there is a solution. Scheduling Instagram posts can transform your social media strategy, saving time and ensuring a consistent posting schedule.

In this guide, we'll walk you through how to use Instagram's native scheduling feature for Business accounts, or how to use IFTTT to post with more freedom. Let's jump right in!

Why schedule Instagram posts?

First off, why should you consider scheduling your Instagram posts in the first place? Well, according to social media analyzer Buffer, posting 6-9 times per week on Instagram gives the best chances for expedited brand growth, up to 3.7x compared to infrequent posters.

For busy business owners or those managing multiple social media accounts, remembering to post 9 times can be challenging. Automating this process removes that task from the back of your mind, allowing you to focus on building quality content first. A steady posting schedule keeps your audience engaged and interested.

Scheduling Instagram posts also offers various benefits beyond consistency that can elevate your social media game. Scheduling can optimize your content for when your audience is most active, which boosts your reach and engagement levels.

It also simplifies content planning and organization. You can plan campaigns in advance and build content that aligns with your goals. With a set schedule, it's easier to analyze performance metrics to see what areas need work.

Can you schedule Instagram posts natively?

Yes, you can schedule Instagram posts within the app, but there is a catch.

First, native scheduling is only an option for Business and Creator accounts. If you’re using a personal profile, you’ll need to switch account types before you can access this feature.

Second, Instagram’s built-in scheduler is fairly basic. While it gets the job done, it doesn’t offer the flexibility that many brands and marketers need. Here are a couple of key notes and limitations of the native scheduling feature:

• - You can schedule posts up to 75 days in advance
• - You can schedule feed posts, Reels, and carousels
• - You cannot schedule Stories natively
• - You must schedule posts one at a time
• - There’s no cross-platform posting

If you’re running a simple content plan and just want to post consistently, native scheduling works well. But if you want more control, like cross-posting automatically from other apps, syncing content across platforms, or triggering posts based on actions, you'll have to consider using IFTTT.

How to schedule posts using Instagram’s native scheduler

If you decide to use Instagram’s built-in scheduling, here’s how it works:

1. Create a new post as usual in the Instagram app

2. After editing your caption and media, tap “Advanced settings”

3. Toggle “Schedule this post”

4. Choose your desired date and time

5. Tap Schedule

That’s it, simple and effective. It's easy to pick up for new users, which makes it a great option. However, for those looking for the absolute best social media management experience, it's a good idea to look at a different method.

The best tools to schedule Instagram posts

If you decide you want to move beyond the native schedule feature, you'll need to work with a third-party tool. Choosing the right tool for scheduling Instagram posts is the first step to success.

Popular tools include IFTTT, Buffer, and Hootsuite. We'll break down the unique features of each of these tools, and point you in the right direction on which one to use.

IFTTT: Simple but powerful automation

Price: Free to try, with plans to choose from.

IFTTT (If This Then That) is ideal for creators and small businesses that want more automation without the complexity of traditional social media management platforms. Instead of manually scheduling each post, IFTTT lets you create Applets that automatically publish Instagram content based on triggers.

For example, you can:

• - Automatically post to Instagram when you publish a photo to Google Drive
• - Share new blog content to Instagram when an RSS feed updates
• - Cross-post from other platforms like X or Facebook
• - Maintain consistent posting without logging into Instagram every day

...and millions more different automations. You can choose to enable an already-made Applet or build your own from scratch using our easy no-code Applet creator. Take a look at some of the Applet bubbles below and click on any to get started.

IFTTT works especially well for users who already create content in batches. You focus on producing content, and IFTTT handles the timing and publishing. This makes it a great choice for lean teams, solopreneurs, and brands that want hands-off scheduling with creative workflows.

To get started with IFTTT, visit our homepage and create an account. You'll then need to grant certain permissions with whatever tools you'll be integrating. The whole process is meant to be seamless and only takes a couple of minutes. For a complete guide on getting started building your first Applet, see our walkthrough here.

Buffer: Data-driven scheduling

Price: Free limited plan, advanced plans starting at $6 per month.

Buffer is one of the most popular dedicated social media scheduling tools for a reason. It offers a simple interface combined with strong analytics, making it ideal for brands that are laser focused on growth and performance.

With Buffer, you can:

• - Schedule posts weeks or months in advance
• - Analyze engagement and reach metrics
• - Optimize posting times based on audience activity
• - Manage multiple Instagram accounts from one dashboard

Buffer shines best for those interested in analytics. If you want to understand why certain posts perform better than others and refine your strategy using real data, Buffer is a great choice. IFTTT also integrates with Buffer so you can expand your content strategy with automations.

Hootsuite: Built for teams

Price: Plans start at $149 per user per month

For those needing the absolute best of the best, Hootsuite is an advanced social media management platform designed for teams managing multiple brands or large campaigns.

Key features include:

• - Scheduling across multiple platforms at once
• - Team collaboration and approval workflows
• - Advanced analytics and reporting
• - Social listening and brand monitoring tools

While Hootsuite offers powerful capabilities (hence the price tag), it can be overkill for solo creators or small businesses. It’s best suited for agencies or marketing teams that need complete control and collaboration features.

Tips to automate Instagram posts and maximize results

Automating Instagram posts is a great way to free up time for other tasks. This being said, it's essential to use these tools wisely to achieve the best results. Here are some tips to help you automate efficiently.

Start by defining your posting goals. You don't want to blindly choose a time to post. Identify the objectives you want to achieve with automation, and what times usually work best with your content.

Next, make sure to use any analytics functions offered by your scheduling tools. These insights provide data on what to post and when to do so. There's nothing wrong with revising your schedule a few times before landing on something that works. Trust us, your followers won't notice.

Finally, make sure to engage with your audience consistently. Automation handles posting, but genuine interaction builds community and loyalty. An excellent way to keep this genuine touch is to respond to comments and messages manually.

Common questions about scheduling Instagram posts

Scheduling Instagram posts can raise several questions for those looking to get started.

One of the most common questions concerns the legality and safety of using third-party scheduling tools. It's generally recommended to choose tools that are partnered with Instagram, like the ones we've covered in this article. IFTTT, Hootsuite, and Buffer all adhere to API guidelines and don't share or sell your data outside of the terms and conditions.

Additionally, many wonder if scheduling affects reach. Generally, scheduled posts do not negatively impact reach. Proper timing is crucial to enhance visibility, and having your posts scheduled to a less-than-ideal time can make a downward change in your views.

One thing to note is the type of posts that can be scheduled. Most tools support images and videos, but options for Stories and Reels can vary.

Lastly, some wonder if there are truly any free scheduling tools. The answer is yes, many tools offer free plans, like IFTTT and Buffer. These plans might have limits on the number of posts you can schedule or might lack access to advanced analytics.

Scheduling and growing your Instagram with IFTTT

It's time to embrace the power of scheduling to boost your Instagram growth. Scheduling posts is so much more than a time-saver; it's a strategy enhancer.

We believe that IFTTT offers the best and most flexible way to begin getting your feet wet on scheduling posts. With posting options ranging far beyond just date and time, you can tailor your Instagram strategy exactly how you want it.

By automating posts with IFTTT, you can ensure consistency and engage your audience each day. Choose the right posts, plan wisely, and always keep your content fresh and relevant. Start automating with IFTTT today and watch your Instagram presence skyrocket!