Any restrictions for media posts with Instagram Direct Publishing?
Instagram has allowed direct publishing for its Business accounts; however, there are a few requirements we need to fulfill to ensure a smooth publishing experience.
For an easy understanding of what is required, we have segregated the information based on the media categories:
- Image post requirements
- Video post requirements
1. Image Post Requirements
A single-image post is eligible for direct publishing on Instagram Business accounts when:
- The maximum file size is 8MB
- The aspect ratio is within a 4:5 to 1.91:1 range
- The minimum width is 320
- The maximum width is 1440
- The condition of height will vary depending on width and aspect ratio
- The image is in the format JPEG/JPG/PNG
You can solve any size-related issues in image posts on SocialPilot. You can use the image editor to crop or resize the image to fit the above criteria manually while scheduling the post.
But if the size of the image post exceeds the limits of what is allowed on the platform and you are not sure about the platform's requirements, just schedule the image post. SocialPilot will optimize the image size internally, so it fits the platform's given limitations and gets published without any problems.
2. Video Post Requirements
Videos must meet the following specifications:
- Container: MOV or MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14), no edit lists, moov atom at the front of the file.
- Audio codec: AAC, 48khz sample rate maximum, 1 or 2 channels (mono or stereo).
- Video codec: HEVC or H264, progressive scan, closed GOP, 4:2:0 chroma subsampling.
- Frame rate: 23-60 FPS.
- Picture size:
- Maximum columns (horizontal pixels): 1920
- Minimum aspect ratio [cols / rows]: 4 / 5
- Maximum aspect ratio [cols / rows]: 16 / 9
- Video bitrate: VBR, 25 Mbps maximum
- Audio bitrate: 320 kbps
- Duration: 15 minutes maximum, 3 seconds minimum
- File size: 512MB maximum
SocialPilot will be able to present errors for you to rectify when you would have selected an Instagram business account and would be trying to share an incompatible video. The errors will be as under:
| Error message | Reason | What needs to be done? |
| The video size for an Instagram post should be less than 100 MB. Learn More | When the file size is greater than 100 MB | You need to upload a video with a size less than 100 MB |
| The duration of the video for an Instagram post should be between 3 to 60 seconds. Learn More | When the minimum duration for the video file is less than 3 seconds | You need to upload a video with a duration of more than 3 seconds and less than - 15 minutes |
| The duration of the video for an Instagram post should be between 3 to 60 seconds. Learn More | When the maximum duration for the video file is greater than 60 seconds | You need to upload a video with a duration of more than 3 seconds and less than 60 seconds |
| Instagram: The audio codec of the video file should be AAC. Learn More | When the audio codec of the video file is not AAC | You need to ensure that the audio codec of the video is AAC |
| Instagram: The audio sample rate of the video file should be a maximum 48khz. Learn More | When the audio sample rate of the video is more than 48khz | You will be required to keep the audio sample rate of the video under 48khz |
| Instagram: The video file should have a maximum of 2 audio channels. Learn More | When the video file has more than 2 audio channels | You need to ensure that the video file does not have more than 2 audio channels |
| Instagram: The video codec of the file should be HEVC or H264. Learn More | When the video codec is not either HEVC or H264 | If the video codec is other than HEVC or H264 you will get this error. You need to ensure that the video codec is either HEVC or H264 |
| Instagram: The video file should be a progressive scan video. Learn More | When the video file is not progressive scan the video | Ensure that the video file is a progressive scan only. |
| Instagram: The chroma subsampling of the video should be 4:2:0. Learn More | When the chroma subsampling of the video is not 4:2:0 | Instagram will allow publishing when the chroma subsampling of the video is 4:2:0, hence, you need to check this attribute of your video |
| Instagram: The video frame rate should be within 23-60 FPS range. Learn More | When the video frame rate is not within the 23-60 FPS range | Maintain the video frame rate within the 23-60 FPS range |
| Instagram: The aspect ratio of the video should be within the 4:5 to 16:9 range. Learn More | When the aspect ratio of the video is not within the 4:5 to 16:9 range | Maintain the aspect ratio within 4:5 to 16:9 range |
| Instagram: The video bitrate should be VBR. Learn More | When the video bitrate is not VBR | Keep the video bitrate as VBR |
| Instagram: The video bitrate should not be more than 25 Mbps. Learn More | When the video bitrate is more than 25 Mbps | Keep the video bitrate less than 25 Mbps |
| Instagram: The audio bitrate of the video file should be 320 kbps. Learn More | When the audio bitrate is not 320 kbps | Keep the audio bitrate as 320 kbps |
Note: You can customize your Instagram video post by selecting the thumbnail of your choice for it.