What content can I publish automatically to Instagram from Gain?

Gain supports direct publishing for both business and creator accounts. Instagram's API allows direct publishing for the following post types: 

  • Images including album or carrousel posts
  • Videos (between 3 and 90 seconds duration)
  • Stories
  • Reels (between 3 and 90 seconds duration)

You can use the Gain Notify mobile app to get reminders when it's time to post animated GIFs or videos longer than 90 seconds. The Gain Notify app makes manual publishing easier by alerting you when it's time to publish and copying the content to your phone. 


Important: Posting Stories to Instagram Creator Accounts

We're currently unable to post Instagram Stories to creator accounts due to a bug on Instagram's end.

Set a default publishing mode

You can switch between direct and manual publishing for the channel or per-post. Here's how:

  1. Go to Workspace Settings "⚙️" > Social Channel and find your Instagram account.
  2. Click Manage
  3. Choose your preferred publishing mode and click Set as Default Publishing Mode.

You can switch the publishing mode on a per-post basis under Publishing in the post editor. 

Why is Gain not auto-publishing my posts?

You've connected an Instagram Personal account instead of a Business account.

When you connect a new Instagram Business account to Gain, you have to select the option "Business Account." If you choose the option "Personal Account," even if your Instagram profile is a Business account, Gain will recognize it as a personal profile and won't auto-publish any posts. To fix this:

  1. Go to Workspace Settings "⚙️" > Social Channels and click Manage next to your Instagram channel.
  2. Find the blue prompt to Reconnect as a Business Account.

The Instagram account is not associated with a Facebook page.

While Gain supports direct publishing for both business and creator accounts (collectively known as professional accounts), Meta mandates that your Instagram professional account be linked to a Facebook page. Follow the steps in this help article to confirm if your Facebook Page is connected to the Instagram account.


Your videos are outside of the specs allowed by the Instagram publishing API.

The Instagram API allows direct posting of videos ranging from 3 to 90 seconds in duration, with a maximum file size of 100 MB. Videos falling outside these specified parameters require manual publishing. For instructions on manual publishing, refer to this step-by-step guide.


For a more comprehensive troubleshooting guide, click here.

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