# Instagram

Source: https://social9.com/docs/networks/instagram

> Post photos, carousels, Reels and Stories to Instagram, the professional account it needs, and how to switch a personal account.

Social9 posts photos, carousels, Reels and Stories to Instagram. Instagram only lets apps post for **professional** accounts (Creator or Business) that are linked to a Facebook Page.

---

## Where to find it

**Dashboard → Channels → Instagram → Connect.**

Instagram is on every plan, including Free.

---

## Before you connect

You need two things:

1. **A professional Instagram account**, Creator or Business. Switching is free, takes about a minute, and you keep your followers and posts.
2. **A Facebook Page linked to it.**

### Switch a personal account to professional

1. In the Instagram app, open your profile and tap the **menu (☰)**.
2. Tap **Settings and privacy** → **Account type and tools** → **Switch to professional account**.
3. Pick **Creator** or **Business** and finish the steps.
4. Link it to a Facebook Page: on your profile tap **Edit profile** → **Page** → connect or create one.

The same steps are in Social9: on the Instagram card, press **Needs a free professional (Creator or Business) account. How do I switch?**

---

## Connecting

1. Press **Connect** on the Instagram card.
2. Sign in with Facebook.
3. When Facebook asks, tick the Page **and** its Instagram account.

If you get "No Instagram business or creator account is linked to your Facebook Pages", the account is still personal, or it is not linked to a Page you ticked. Do the steps above and try again.

---

## What a post can include

| | Limit |
|---|---|
| **Text** | 2,200 characters |
| **Photos and videos** | Up to 10, mixed (a carousel) |
| **Needs media** | Yes. Every Instagram post needs a photo or video |

---

## Options

Under **Network options tab → Options for Instagram**:

| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| **Post type** | **Feed** (or **Carousel** with several files), **Reel** or **Story** |
| **First comment** | Posted right after. A good place for extra hashtags. Not on Stories |
| **Collaborators (up to 3 usernames)** | Invites other accounts to co-author. Not on Stories |
| **Location ID** | The ID of a Facebook Page with a location |
| **Tag people** | Click the photo where the person is, then type their username. Not on Reels |
| **Also show in the main feed** | For Reels. On by default |
| **Cover image URL** or **cover frame** | For Reels |

**Rules:** a Reel needs exactly one video. A Story takes exactly one photo or video.

---

## Next steps

- [Facebook](https://social9.com/docs/networks/facebook)
- [Images and video](https://social9.com/docs/posts/images-and-video)