step by step
How to post to Instagram with the API
Create a key, connect Instagram, then schedule a post.
Open Dashboard → AI & API, create a key, and send it as Authorization: Bearer pw_live_…. Connect your Instagram account if you have not already.
Endpoints
API base URL
https://postwing.io/api/v1Docs
https://postwing.io/docsCall POST /posts/preview with a caption, time, platforms: ["instagram"], and media. Full field reference is in the API docs.
curl -s -X POST "https://postwing.io/api/v1/posts/preview" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer pw_live_…" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"caption": "New Reel from the Instagram posting API",
"scheduled_at": "2026-10-05T18:00:00Z",
"platforms": [
"instagram"
],
"media_items": [
{
"url": "https://cdn.example.com/reel.mp4",
"type": "video",
"thumbnail_url": "https://cdn.example.com/cover.jpg"
}
]
}'what you can do
Instagram posting from one API
Same PostWing API as the full product, scoped to Instagram when you set platforms to instagram.
- Schedule Instagram feed posts, carousels, and Reels
- Upload images and videos with a direct upload URL
- Set custom Reel covers with thumbnail_url
- Control share_to_feed and trial Reel options
- Edit or cancel scheduled Instagram posts from the same API
built for Instagram
Feed posts and Reels in one flow
Upload media, set a caption (or leave it empty), pick a time, and target Instagram. Add a cover image for Reels, or share the Reel to the main feed when you want both.
- Images and carousels publish to the Instagram feed
- Videos publish as Reels, with optional custom covers
- Scheduled posts show up on your PostWing calendar
Instagram options
Platform settings that matter
Pass these on targets[].platform_options when you need more control.
share_to_feedfor Reels that also go to the main feedthumbnail_urlfor a custom Reel covertrial_reel_typefor trial Reels when eligible- Preview → confirm so nothing schedules without approval
- API key or OAuth with scoped access
one API
Same API for every network
There is no separate Instagram product. Pass platforms or targets[] on the same preview → confirm flow. Add Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Pinterest, or Threads without changing your integration.
- Threads
- YouTube
- X (Twitter)
- TikTok
Connect accounts once in PostWing (or via the accounts endpoints)
Call POST /posts/preview with the networks you want on that post
Confirm with the token. One key covers every platform PostWing supports.
questions
Instagram posting API FAQ
Yes. Upload a video, schedule it to your Instagram account, and optionally set a custom cover with thumbnail_url. PostWing treats Instagram video as a Reel.