# Instagram

Business and Creator accounts, connected with Instagram Login (no Facebook Page needed). Personal accounts can't publish
through any app; switch the account type in Instagram first.

## Content types

| Id | Format | Media | Kinds | Aspect (w/h) | Video length | Max size (image / video) | Caption max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| `ig_image` | Image | 1 | image | 0.8–1.91 | – | 8 MB / – | 2,200, 30 hashtags |
| `ig_carousel` | Carousel | 2–10 | image, video | 0.8–1.91 | 3–60 s | 8 MB / 100 MB | 2,200, 30 hashtags |
| `ig_reel` | Reel | 1 | video | 0.01–10 | 3–900 s | – / 300 MB | 2,200, 30 hashtags |
| `ig_story` | Story | 1 | image, video | – | 3–60 s | 8 MB / 100 MB | none |

## Rules PostFlow checks

- Photos must be **JPEG** between **4:5 and 1.91:1**. In the app, other files get a one-click convert or crop.
- Captions up to 2,200 characters, **30 hashtags** and **20 @mentions**.
- Carousels take 2 to 10 photos or videos.
- Stories have no caption and can't take a first comment.

## Options

| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| `firstComment`, `followUps` | Posted as comments by the account right after publishing (not Stories). |
| `shareToFeed` | Reels: also show in the feed grid (default on). |
| `instagram.collaborators` | Up to 3 usernames invited as collaborators (without the @). |
| `instagram.aiGenerated` | Labels the post as made with AI. |
| `cover` | Reels: a moment in the video (`offsetMs`) or an image (`mediaId`). |

## Publishing

Instagram fetches the file from PostFlow and processes it before publishing; videos can take a few minutes. Instagram allows
**100 API posts per account in 24 hours** (a carousel counts once). Over that, PostFlow retries later.

## Comments, messages and metrics

- Comments: read, reply, hide ([Comments and messages](/guides/inbox/)). Instagram only takes replies on a thread's first
  comment, so replies to replies go there.
- Direct messages: read and reply within 24 hours of the person's last message.
- Metrics: reach, views, likes, comments, shares and saves, 24 hours and 7 days after publishing.