If you’re a frequent Instagram user, you might have wondered whether you can schedule Reels. Reels, a newer addition to the platform, are short, 15-30 second videos that allow users to create, edit, and share engaging content with their followers. Unfortunately, like regular Instagram posts, you can’t schedule Reels directly on the platform.
While you can’t directly schedule Reels on Instagram, there are third-party scheduling tools that allow you to prepare and publish your Reels at a specific time and date. These tools allow you to create and edit your Reels in advance, add captions, and schedule them for publishing. Once you’ve scheduled your Reel, the tool will automatically post it at the designated time.
It’s important to note that not all third-party scheduling tools support Reels, so do your research beforehand to ensure you’re using a tool that supports this feature. While scheduling Reels might not be as straightforward as scheduling regular Instagram posts, it’s still possible with the help of third-party tools.
The Limitations of Instagram Reels Scheduling
As a content creator, you may be wondering if you can schedule Instagram Reels to be posted at a later time. Unfortunately, currently, you can’t schedule Reels on Instagram.
Although Instagram has the scheduling functionality for regular posts and IGTV, they have not yet added this feature to Reels. So, every time you want to post Reels, you need to manually publish them at the desired time.
There are some tools and apps that claim to allow scheduling of Reels, but these are not officially authorised by Instagram, and using them may violate Instagram’s terms of service. In fact, attempting to use these tools may lead to your account being suspended or even permanently banned.
One of the reasons Instagram hasn’t implemented Reels scheduling could be due to the nature of the feature itself. Reels requires spontaneous and engaging content that aligns with current trends. Scheduling Reels in advance may not provide the same level of authenticity and excitement that Instagram aimed to create with this feature.
Another possible reason for the lack of Reels scheduling capability is because it is still a relatively new feature on Instagram. The platform may be working on its functionality or waiting to see audience engagement and feedback before adding more scheduling flexibility.
In conclusion, while you cannot schedule Instagram Reels currently, there are various strategies that you can use to ensure that your content reaches your audience at the right time, such as setting reminders to post regularly and taking advantage of Instagram Insights data. While Reels scheduling would be an advantageous feature for content creators, we’ll have to wait and see if Instagram choses to add it to their platform in the future.
Alternative Approaches to Scheduling Instagram Reels
As of now, Instagram does not allow the scheduling or publishing of Reels through third-party apps. However, there are a few alternative approaches to scheduling Instagram Reels that can help you plan and organise your content in advance.
- Drafts
One option is to utilise Instagram’s “Drafts” feature. This feature allows you to save an edited but unpublished reel, where it can be accessed and published at a later date. While it’s not possible to publish from an external scheduling tool, you can use one to create and schedule an Instagram post and then save the corresponding Reel as a draft. Then, when the scheduled post goes live, you can publish the saved Reel as well.
- Reminders
Another approach is to use mobile reminders or calendar apps to remind you when to manually publish your Reels. This method requires a bit more manual effort, but it can be effective for those with fewer Reels to publish, or for those who want more control over the timing of their content.
- Instagram Creator Studio
Instagram’s own Creator Studio can be another alternative approach to scheduling Instagram Reels. Though the platform does not allow scheduling of Reels through other apps, the Creator Studio can help schedule posts on Instagram. It can also provide insights into Instagram performance such as post reach, engagements, stories insights, and even Instagram TV.
While scheduling Reels on Instagram is not currently possible through third-party apps, these alternative approaches can still help streamline your content creation process. Plus, keeping your content organised and planning for future posts can help ensure your audience remains engaged and interested in your content.
After doing extensive research, I have come to the conclusion that currently, scheduling Instagram Reels is not possible. Unlike Instagram posts and stories, where scheduling can be done directly from the app or through third-party scheduling tools, you cannot schedule Reels to be posted at a later time or date.
Although there are some third-party tools available that claim to allow scheduling of Reels, Instagram’s API does not yet allow direct scheduling, which makes it difficult for these tools to provide a reliable and effective solution. Additionally, using third-party tools for scheduling Reels may violate Instagram’s terms of service and could lead to account suspension.
As of now, the only way to upload a Reel is to do so in real-time via the native Instagram app, either by recording a new Reel or uploading one from your camera roll. This can be a bit inconvenient, especially if you want to maintain a consistent posting schedule outside of your available downtime.
In conclusion, while it is not possible to schedule Reels on Instagram directly, you may find some third-party tools that claim to provide this capability. However, I suggest sticking to Instagram’s rules and only posting Reels manually via the native app to avoid any potential account issues.
