The Instagram API Just Got to 11

Although the requirement to connect a Facebook Page remains, you can now publish posts through the creator’s account. This opens up a lot of flexibility for those who need Creator features on Instagram and switch to a Business account. (Note that as of late June 2023, Facebook currently has a reported bug where Creator accounts can’t publish Stories, but can photos, videos, and Reels.)

How to switch to a business or creator account on Instagram?

Both are free and easy to switch between account types. Here is the process flow:

For more details see our Instagram Walk-Through Guide.

How to publish via API

As easy as it is to change Instagram account types, you can also publish posts through Ayrshare’s API/post endpoint:

{
    "post": "The best IG ever #best #awesome 
    "mediaUrls": ["
    "platforms": ["instagram"]
}

Enter the URL to your video, photo, Reel, or Story. See the documents linked above for more capabilities.

Instagram Has Raised Publishing Limits

The second most requested change was increasing the publishing limit. Instagram now allows 50 posts in a 24-hour period – previously it was 25 posts every 24 hours. If you create a lot of content, 50 posts gives you more opportunity to get your message out.

Reels User Tagging, Cover Image, and Sound Composition

There are three other new capabilities that Ayrshare clients can access. For many of our customers, this is as important as creator account support and increased publishing limits.

Reels User Tagging

Reel can now be tagged with Instagram users by using the handle of the Instagram user. You can add multiple handles to an API call.

{
    ...
    "instagramOptions": {
        "userTags": [
        {
            "username": "ayrshare",    // Required: Instagram username
        },
        {
            "username": "johnboy",     // Required: Instagram username
        }
     ]
    }
}

Important to note: The Instagram user will be notified if you use their username in a post. Please be careful not to spam users or post their username repeatedly. If you do, Instagram may suspend or deactivate your account.

Reel cover photo

Reels supports a cover image from an external URL, or you can use an offset. use the coverUrl parameter in the API call.

{
    ...
    "instagramOptions": {
        "thumbNailOffset": 30000    // milliseconds
        "coverUrl": " // Reels only
    }
}

If both coverUrl and thumbNailOffset are included, coverUrl will be used.

Reel Audio composition

When you load a Reel with sound, the default sound name is “Real Sound”. Wrong, so now you can compose the sound yourself with audioName field.

{   
    "post": "The description of the video",
    "mediaUrls": ["    
    "instagramOptions": {
        "reels": true,             // required for Reels
        "shareReelsFeed": true,    // optional
        "audioName": "This is the best"    // optional
    }
}

Note: You can only rename once, either while creating the reel or after the audio page.

Here’s an example of setting the name of a Reel sound to “This is the best”:

Based on initial client feedback, we’re really excited about the new updates from Instagram and hope to see more soon!