# Instagram

> Publish posts, carousels, Reels and Stories to an Instagram professional account.

## Connect

Instagram only lets apps publish to **professional** accounts, so your account must be a **Business** or **Creator**
account. Switching is free: in the Instagram app, open **Settings → Account type and tools → Switch to professional
account**.

Then choose **Instagram** under **Settings → Channels → Connect** and sign in with Instagram. You don't need a Facebook
Page.

## What you can post

Choose the format on the channel's copy:

- **Post**: one image or video, or a **carousel** of up to ten.
- **Reel**: one video.
- **Story**: one image or video. Stories publish no caption, so the text is ignored.

Every Instagram post needs at least one image or video.

## Options

- **Tag people** on photos, or name the people in a video. Only public accounts can be tagged.
- **Collaborators**: invite up to three accounts to co-author the post (not on Stories).
- **Cover** for a Reel: a frame from the video, or your own image.
- **AI info**: Instagram's label for AI-generated content (not on Stories).

## Inbox, analytics and engagement

- **Inbox**: comments on your posts, which arrive within moments.
- **Analytics**: views, likes, comments, saves and shares per post, and follower counts.

## Limits

| Limit                     | Value                                                                                  |
| ------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Text                      | 2,200 characters                                                                       |
| Threads                   | No                                                                                     |
| Attachments               | Up to 10 per post, at least one is required                                            |
| Images                    | Up to 7.6 MB                                                                           |
| Video                     | Up to 286.1 MB, 3s to 15 min long, at least 23 fps                                     |
| Aspect ratio              | 0.8 to 1.91 (width ÷ height); every carousel slide is cropped to the first one's shape |
| GIF search                | No                                                                                     |
| File types                | jpeg, png, mp4, quicktime                                                              |
| Formats                   | Post, Story, Reel                                                                      |
| Polls                     | No                                                                                     |
| Quote posts               | No                                                                                     |
| Reply to an existing post | No                                                                                     |
| Link previews             | No                                                                                     |
| Auto-engagement           | No                                                                                     |
| AI-generated label        | Yes                                                                                    |

## Good to know

- **Aspect ratio.** Images must be between 4:5 portrait and 1.91:1 landscape, and every carousel slide is cropped to
  the first slide's shape. The composer offers **Crop to fit**.
- **Five hashtags.** Instagram refuses a feed post or Reel with six or more.
- **Frame rate.** Video under 23 frames per second is refused.
- **Links** in captions aren't clickable. Use your [link in bio](https://orbitwrite.com/docs/guides/grow/link-in-bio).