Can ChatGPT Post to Instagram? What Instagram Requires
Sources checked on October 12, 2026 · 27 sources
Not through any documented route of its own. OpenAI’s connected-apps page links setup pages for nine services, and Instagram is not one of them. The documented route is a connected tool that holds access to Instagram’s publishing API, such as a scheduler with a ChatGPT app or an MCP server. Then Instagram’s rules apply whatever the tool: a professional account (business or creator), an image or a video on every post, and a cap on posts published through the API in 24 hours.
Can ChatGPT post to Instagram on its own?#
Not through any documented route. OpenAI’s connected-apps page says some apps “let ChatGPT take supported actions in the connected service”. It links setup pages for nine services, from Google Drive to Notion, and Instagram is not among them. Whether OpenAI or Meta offers an Instagram app for ChatGPT is not documented.
ChatGPT’s cloud browser “can read web pages, click buttons, enter information into forms, and carry out steps on supported public and signed-in websites”. Whether it can post on instagram.com is not documented, nobody tried it for this post, and Instagram’s Terms of Use have a clause on automated access, quoted under what will not work.
So the documented route is a tool with its own access to Instagram’s publishing API.
What Instagram requires of any tool that posts for you#
These rules are Meta’s, from its Instagram Platform documentation. They apply to every tool below that publishes through the API.
A professional account: business or creator#
Meta’s overview says: “To use the APIs, your app users must have an Instagram professional account. An Instagram professional account can represent a business or creator.” You switch in the Instagram app, and Instagram’s help page notes one consequence: “If your personal account is private, switching to a professional account will make it public.”
A Facebook Page is needed on only one of Meta’s two setups: Instagram Login serves accounts “without requiring a linked Facebook Page”. A tool can ask for more than Meta does. Zapier’s Instagram actions “will only work for an Instagram Business Account and not a Personal or Creator Account”. Postiz’s Instagram page says, in its FAQ, that Instagram’s API requires an account “connected to a Facebook Page”, while its documentation offers a “standalone option” with no Facebook Business. Read the tool’s own requirement first.
An image or a video on every post#
Meta documents no text-only post: every container its media reference describes takes an image or a video.
An image has to be at a public address. The Content Publishing guide says: “We cURL media used in publishing attempts, so the media must be hosted on a publicly accessible server at the time of the attempt.” So an image made in a chat has to be put somewhere public before Instagram will fetch it. The guide documents one other path, for video only: a resumable upload, which accepts “A file located on your computer” and is “Only for apps that have implemented Facebook Login for Business.”
Feed posts, carousels, Reels and Stories: what the API allows#
Every row is from those two Meta pages. Music on a Reel and product tags are under the table, because Meta’s pages differ on both.
| Format | Can the API publish it? | Media rules Meta documents | Caption and alt text | What the API cannot add |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single image | Yes | JPEG only, 8 MB maximum, aspect ratio 4:5 to 1.91:1 | Caption up to 2,200 characters. Alt text up to 1,000 | Filters |
| Carousel | Yes | Up to 10 images, videos or a mix. Images are cropped to match the first, 1:1 by default | One caption, on the carousel. Alt text on its images only | A Reel inside a carousel |
| Reel | Yes | MOV or MP4, 3 seconds to 15 minutes, 300 MB maximum, 9:16 recommended | Caption: yes. Alt text: no | Music: Meta’s pages differ, see under the table |
| Story, image | Yes | JPEG, 8 MB maximum, 9:16 recommended | Caption: not documented. Alt text: no | Link, poll and location stickers |
| Story, video | Yes | MOV or MP4, 3 to 60 seconds, 100 MB maximum | Caption: not documented. Alt text: no | Link, poll and location stickers |
| Text-only post | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented |
Music on a Reel. The media reference says: “Music tagging is only available for original audio.” Meta’s Audio API page, dated Jun 16, 2026, says a tool can “search for original sounds from existing Reels or music” and “Attach an audio asset to a Reel during content creation”, with Facebook Login only: “It is not supported on the Instagram API with Instagram Login.”
Product tags. Meta’s overview marks product tagging “Supported” with Facebook Login and “Not supported” with Instagram Login, while the publishing guide says: “Shopping tags are not supported.”
For both, ask the tool what it supports.
The publishing cap: 100 or 50 posts in 24 hours#
Meta’s pages give two figures. This post prints both and does not pick one.
| Meta page | The page’s own “Updated” date | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| Content Publishing guide, rate limit section | Jun 30, 2026 | “Instagram accounts are limited to 100 API-published posts within a 24-hour moving period.” |
| The same guide, carousel limitations | Jun 30, 2026 | “Accounts are limited to 50 published posts within a 24-hour period.” |
| IG User Media Publish reference | Sep 28, 2026 | “An Instagram professional account can only publish 50 posts within a 24 hour moving period” |
| Content Publishing Limit reference | Jul 23, 2024 | The quota is “currently 50” containers in 24 hours |
Both sections of the guide count a carousel as one post. Meta does not say separately whether a Story counts. A tool does not have to guess: the guide says an account’s current usage can be read from the content_publishing_limit endpoint. Vendors quote other numbers (Postiz’s page mentions “the 25 posts per day Graph API cap”), which is why the figures above are Meta’s own.
If a scheduled post never appeared, see why a scheduled Instagram post fails to publish.
An approved app behind the tool#
ChatGPT cannot call Instagram’s API with nothing in between, because the API is reached through an app that holds access from Meta. For an app that serves other people’s accounts, the overview names the level, Advanced Access, and says: “This access level requires App Review and Business Verification.”
Ways to get a ChatGPT draft onto Instagram today#
Each row is what the tool’s own documentation said on October 12, 2026. We have not run any of them.
| Tool and route | How ChatGPT connects | Instagram account it accepts | What its documentation says it publishes | Who checks before it goes out | Did we run it? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postiz, a scheduler with an app in ChatGPT’s directory | The directory app, or its MCP link pasted “as a custom connector” | “a professional Instagram account” for its standalone connection (documentation) | “Feed posts (single image, carousel, video / Reels)” and “Stories (image and video)” | Directory app: not documented. Custom connector: “ChatGPT will ask you to confirm write actions such as publishing before it runs them” | No |
| Buffer, a scheduler added as a custom MCP server | Developer mode, signing in with OAuth: “No API key needed.” | Business or creator for automatic publishing (help page) | A single image, a carousel, a single video, Reels and Stories. Whether its MCP tools cover each type: not documented | Its pages differ. MCP page: “nothing publishes without you seeing it first”. Developer documentation: create_post “can publish immediately” |
No |
| Zapier, an automation template that runs without a chat | Not through the ChatGPT app: a daily workflow “sends the details to ChatGPT” | “an Instagram Business Account and not a Personal or Creator Account” (actions page) | Photos “as a single post or carousel”. Zapier’s actions page also lists a video “as a Reel”, which is not a step of this template. Stories: not listed | Nobody, as the template is described: it “publishes the finished post straight to your Instagram Business account” | No |
| Copy and paste: ChatGPT writes, you schedule in the Instagram app | No connection | “You must have a public account on Instagram.” | “reels, photos and carousel posts”, “up to 25 posts a day, up to 30 days in advance” | You | No |
The Zapier row is not ChatGPT posting from the chat window: it is a scheduled workflow with ChatGPT as one step. Zapier also has an MCP server for ChatGPT, and its documentation asks for “Business, Enterprise, or Edu” where a workspace has added Zapier, or “a plan with developer mode”.
If the term is new, read what an MCP server is.
Which ChatGPT plans can connect a tool that posts#
OpenAI’s help pages say “apps”, “plugins” and “custom MCP apps”. Postiz’s page says “custom connector”.
A plugin from the directory. OpenAI’s plugins page says: “Installing or using an individual plugin depends on your plan, workspace, role, region, and its included capabilities.” Which plans can install one vendor’s plugin is not documented.
A custom MCP server that can write. OpenAI’s developer mode article says: “Full MCP is only available to Business and Enterprise/Edu users, currently. Pro users can connect MCPs with read/fetch permissions in developer mode.” It is a beta, on the web only, and the article does not mention Plus, Go or Free. OpenAI’s developer page on adding a custom MCP server names no plan and says: “ChatGPT supports both read and write tools from your server.” Postiz’s page says something else again: “Custom MCP connectors need ChatGPT Developer mode (Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans on the web).” The three differ, and no run exists that would settle it here.
What will not work, or is not worth the risk#
- A personal account through the API. Meta’s documentation serves professional accounts only. Buffer sends a reminder to its mobile app instead: “You tap the notification and finish posting in the Instagram app.”
- Giving a bot your Instagram password, or having a browser agent click through instagram.com. Instagram’s Terms of Use say: “You can’t attempt to create accounts or access or collect information in unauthorized ways.” The next sentence reads: “This includes creating accounts or accessing or collecting information in an automated way without our express permission, regardless of whether such automated access or collection is undertaken while logged-in to an Instagram account.”
- ChatGPT agent mode. OpenAI’s page on it, read on October 12, 2026, contradicts itself. It says “ChatGPT agent is no longer available.” and, further down under “Availability by plan”, “Agent mode is currently available on Pro, Plus, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans”. Whether agent mode can post on instagram.com is not documented, and nobody tried it for this post.
- ChatGPT’s cloud browser. OpenAI’s page says “Some websites use security measures that restrict access from automated browser agents” and advises: “Prefer a connected app or plugin when it supports the task directly.” Whether it can publish on instagram.com is not documented, and nobody tried it for this post.
- Extras the API leaves out. Filters and Story stickers are in the formats table above. Buffer lists what needs a manual finish in its own tool: “music on Posts and Stories, stickers, product tags, and Story links.”
Keep a person approving#
OpenAI’s developer documentation says: “Write actions by default require confirmation.” Two vendors give matching advice for their own tools. Postiz: “Please make sure there is always a human in the loop.” Buffer: “Leave the approval prompts on.”
For a routine you can reuse, see an approval checklist for AI-drafted posts.
FAQ#
Does ChatGPT have an official Instagram app or plugin?#
None is named on OpenAI’s connected-apps page, checked October 12, 2026: it links setup pages for nine services, and Instagram is not one of them. Plugins from other companies, such as Postiz’s, are listed in ChatGPT’s directory, which OpenAI says “shows plugins available to your plan and workspace”.
Can ChatGPT post to a personal Instagram account?#
Not through Instagram’s API, which serves professional accounts only. Instagram’s help page says you can change to a business or creator account and “switch back to a personal account” at any time. For a personal account, Buffer’s help page describes a phone reminder that you finish by hand.
Do I need a paid ChatGPT plan to post to Instagram through a tool?#
It depends on how the tool connects, and the pages differ: for a custom MCP server that can write, OpenAI’s help article names Business, Enterprise and Edu while Postiz’s page also names Plus and Pro, and for a directory plugin OpenAI gives no per-plan answer.
Does ChatGPT need my Instagram password?#
Not with a connected tool, according to the pages read for this post. You connect Instagram to the tool in a window Meta opens, and ChatGPT to the tool. Postiz’s page says, in its FAQ, that its connector “signs in with your own Postiz account over OAuth, so ChatGPT never sees your social media logins or an API key”.
Can ChatGPT log in to Instagram in a browser and post for me?#
Not documented, and nobody tried it for this post: the pages that bear on it, OpenAI’s on agent mode and the cloud browser and Instagram’s Terms of Use, are quoted under what will not work.
Sources 27
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Each page was read on the date beside it. The quoted sentence is the one this post relies on.
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Meta, Instagram Platform: Content Publishing guide developers.facebook.com
“This guide shows you how to publish single images, videos, reels (single media posts), or posts containing multiple images and videos (carousel posts) on Instagram professional accounts using the Instagram Platform. [...] We cURL media used in publishing attempts, so the media must be hosted on a publicly accessible server at the time of the attempt. [...] JPEG is the only image format supported. Extended JPEG formats such as MPO and JPS are not supported. [...] Shopping tags are not supported. [...] Filters are not supported. [...] Instagram accounts are limited to 100 API-published posts within a 24-hour moving period. Carousels count as a single post. [...] To check an Instagram professional account’s current rate limit usage, query the GET /<IG_ID>/content_publishing_limit endpoint. [...] Carousels are limited to 10 images, videos, or a mix of the two. [...] Carousel images are all cropped based on the first image in the carousel, with the default being a 1:1 aspect ratio. [...] Accounts are limited to 50 published posts within a 24-hour period. Publishing a carousel counts as a single post. [...] To publish a reel, create a container for the video and include the media_type=REELS parameter along with the path to the video using the video_url parameter. [...] upload_type=resumable [...] Only for apps that have implemented Facebook Login for Business. [...] The following file sources are supported for uploaded video files: [...] A file located on your computer [...] A file hosted on a public facing server, such as a CDN”
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Meta, Instagram Platform: Overview developers.facebook.com
“To use the APIs, your app users must have an Instagram professional account. An Instagram professional account can represent a business or creator. [...] Instagram API with Instagram Login serves Instagram professional accounts without requiring a linked Facebook Page. [...] Instagram API with Facebook Login serves Instagram professional accounts linked to a Facebook Page. [...] Advanced Access is the access level required if your app serves Instagram professional accounts that you don’t own or manage and can be used by app users who do not have a role on your app or a role on a business portfolio that has claimed your app. This access level requires App Review and Business Verification. [...] Meta opens an authorization window where the app user grants your app the requested permissions. [...] Product tagging [...] Not supported [...] Supported”
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Meta, Instagram Platform: IG User Media reference developers.facebook.com
“Create an image, carousel, story or reel IG Container for use in the post publishing process. [...] Reels cannot appear in carousels [...] Music tagging is only available for original audio. [...] Publishing stickers (i.e., link, poll, location) is not supported; however mentioning users without a sticker is supported. [...] File size: 8 MB maximum. [...] Aspect ratio: Must be within a 4:5 to 1.91:1 range [...] Container: MOV or MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14), no edit lists, moov atom at the front of the file. [...] Required aspect ratio is between 0.01:1 and 10:1 but we recommend 9:16 to avoid cropping or blank space. [...] Duration: 15 mins maximum, 3 seconds minimum [...] File size: 300MB maximum [...] Aspect ratio: We recommended 9:16 to avoid cropping or blank space [...] Duration: 60 seconds maximum, 3 seconds minimum [...] File size: 100MB maximum [...] For image posts only. Alternative text, up to 1000 character, for an image. Only supported on a single image or image media in a carousel. [...] Reels and stories are not supported. [...] Maximum 2200 characters, 30 hashtags, and 20 @ tags. [...] Not supported on images or videos in carousels. [...] For images only and required for images. [...] Required for videos and reels. [...] Required for product tagging. Applies only to images and videos.”
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Meta, Instagram Platform: IG User Media Publish reference developers.facebook.com
“An Instagram professional account can only publish 50 posts within a 24 hour moving period”
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Meta, Instagram Platform: IG User Content Publishing Limit reference developers.facebook.com
“The maximum number of IG Containers the app user can publish within the quota_duration time period (currently 50). [...] The period of time in seconds against which the quota_total is calculated (currently 86400 seconds, or 24 hours).”
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Instagram Help Center: Set up a professional Instagram account help.instagram.com
“You can change your personal Instagram account to a business or creator account. [...] You can switch back to a personal account, or change your professional account type anytime. Note: If your personal account is private, switching to a professional account will make it public.”
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Instagram Help Center: How to create and manage scheduled posts and Reels on Instagram help.instagram.com
“If you have a public Instagram account, you can plan ahead by scheduling reels, photos and carousel posts from the Instagram app. [...] You must have a public account on Instagram. [...] You can schedule up to 25 posts a day, up to 30 days in advance.”
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Instagram: Terms of Use help.instagram.com
“You can't attempt to create accounts or access or collect information in unauthorized ways. [...] This includes creating accounts or accessing or collecting information in an automated way without our express permission, regardless of whether such automated access or collection is undertaken while logged-in to an Instagram account.”
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OpenAI Help Center: Connected apps in ChatGPT help.openai.com
“Apps connect ChatGPT to services you already use, such as Google Drive or Slack, so you can work with their information in a conversation. [...] Some apps also provide interactive experiences, such as maps or cards, or let ChatGPT take supported actions in the connected service. [...] Google Drive app and setup in ChatGPT [...] SharePoint app and setup in ChatGPT [...] Microsoft Teams app and setup in ChatGPT [...] Outlook Email and Calendar apps in ChatGPT [...] Using Slack in ChatGPT [...] Connecting GitHub to ChatGPT [...] Connecting GitLab to ChatGPT and Codex [...] Box app and setup in ChatGPT [...] Notion app and setup in ChatGPT”
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OpenAI Help Center: Plugins in ChatGPT help.openai.com
“The plugin directory is available across ChatGPT plans. Installing or using an individual plugin depends on your plan, workspace, role, region, and its included capabilities. [...] The directory shows plugins available to your plan and workspace - click on a plugin and review its description, skills, apps, and setup requirements.”
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OpenAI Help Center: Developer mode and MCP apps in ChatGPT help.openai.com
“Note: Full MCP (Model Context Protocol) support, including modify/write actions, is rolling out in beta to ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans. Functionality, UI, and permissions may change as we iterate. [...] Full MCP is only available to Business and Enterprise/Edu users, currently. Pro users can connect MCPs with read/fetch permissions in developer mode. [...] Are MCP apps available on mobile? [...] No - web only.”
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OpenAI developer documentation: Add custom MCP server developers.openai.com
“Connect your Model Context Protocol (MCP) server to ChatGPT as a plugin. ChatGPT supports both read and write tools from your server. [...] Access: Use ChatGPT on the web. Workspace permissions and security restrictions, including Lockdown, apply to adding and using custom MCP servers. [...] Write actions by default require confirmation. Carefully review the tool input which will be sent to a write action to ensure the behavior is as desired.”
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OpenAI Help Center: ChatGPT agent help.openai.com
“ChatGPT agent is no longer available. Use ChatGPT Work for longer, multi-step tasks and finished deliverables. For supported browser workflows, see Using cloud browser in ChatGPT. [...] Availability by plan [...] Agent mode is currently available on Pro, Plus, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans for users in all of our supported countries and territories.”
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OpenAI Help Center: Using cloud browser in ChatGPT help.openai.com
“Cloud browser gives ChatGPT Work its own browser on a separate computer in the cloud. It can read web pages, click buttons, enter information into forms, and carry out steps on supported public and signed-in websites. [...] Some websites use security measures that restrict access from automated browser agents. [...] Prefer a connected app or plugin when it supports the task directly.”
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ChatGPT plugin directory: the Postiz listing chatgpt.com
“Postiz helps users manage social media publishing from ChatGPT. Users can list connected channels and groups, inspect platform requirements, upload or generate media, create drafts or scheduled posts, update provider settings, and review upcoming posts.”
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Postiz: Schedule Social Media Posts with ChatGPT postiz.com
“Add the official Postiz app from the ChatGPT directory in one click, or turn on Developer mode and paste the MCP link as a custom connector. [...] Custom MCP connectors need ChatGPT Developer mode (Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans on the web). [...] ChatGPT will ask you to confirm write actions such as publishing before it runs them [...] Please make sure there is always a human in the loop. [...] The connector signs in with your own Postiz account over OAuth, so ChatGPT never sees your social media logins or an API key and can only reach channels you already connected in Postiz.”
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Postiz documentation: Instagram provider docs.postiz.com
“Feed posts (single image, carousel, video / Reels). [...] Stories (image and video). [...] If you want to connect directly to your Instagram account without having to use a Facebook Business, use the standalone option. [...] Please note that standalone option requires a professional Instagram account.”
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Postiz: Instagram channel page postiz.com
“Instagram's API requires a Business or Creator account connected to a Facebook Page, so personal accounts cannot schedule. Postiz flags common issues (non-business account, revoked token, unsupported aspect ratio outside 4:5 to 1.91:1, or the 25 posts per day Graph API cap) with a clear message so you can fix and reschedule.”
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Buffer developer documentation: ChatGPT developers.buffer.com
“Connect Buffer to ChatGPT on the web or the Codex CLI using OAuth. No API key needed. [...] Open Settings, find the Apps/Connectors section, then toggle on Developer mode under Advanced settings.”
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Buffer developer documentation: MCP developers.buffer.com
“Buffer runs a remote MCP server at https://mcp.buffer.com/mcp, which enables AI assistants to read your channels, browse your queue and drafts, schedule and edit posts, capture ideas and pull post analytics, all without leaving the conversation. [...] Leave the approval prompts on. create_post can publish immediately, and delete_post cannot be undone.”
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Buffer: Buffer MCP buffer.com
“Everything goes through your Buffer queue, so nothing publishes without you seeing it first.”
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Buffer Help Center: Using Instagram with Buffer support.buffer.com
“You have an Instagram Business or Creator account. [...] The posts are within Instagram's accepted aspect ratio range and the following type of post:- a single image- multiple (carousel) images- single video posts- reels- stories [...] Due to API limitations, Instagram personal accounts can only publish via notification publishing.”
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Buffer Help Center: Scheduling Instagram posts, reels, stories, and notifications support.buffer.com
“Notification publishing: Buffer prepares your post and sends a push notification to the Buffer mobile app when it's time to publish. You tap the notification and finish posting in the Instagram app. Notification publishing lets you add features that Instagram does not allow third-party tools to publish automatically, including music on Posts and Stories, stickers, product tags, and Story links.”
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Zapier: Instagram for Business MCP zapier.com
“Publish one or more photos to your feed as a single post or carousel. Note : This will only work for an Instagram Business Account and not a Personal or Creator Account. [...] Publish a video to your Instagram feed as a Reel. Note : This will only work for an Instagram Business Account and not a Personal or Creator Account.”
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Zapier template: Post to Instagram daily with AI-generated images and copy zapier.com
“Each day, it pulls a record from your Zapier Tables content calendar, sends the details to ChatGPT to generate both an original image and engaging copy, then publishes the finished post straight to your Instagram Business account.”
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Zapier documentation: Zapier MCP for ChatGPT docs.zapier.com
“A ChatGPT plan that supports apps: Business, Enterprise, or Edu if your workspace already added Zapier, or a plan with developer mode if you are creating your own plugin.”
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Meta, Instagram Platform: Instagram Audio API developers.facebook.com
“This API is available on the Instagram Platform with Facebook Login. [...] Platform support: This API is only available on the Instagram API with Facebook Login. It is not supported on the Instagram API with Instagram Login. [...] Search for audio assets to use in Reels. You can search for original sounds from existing Reels or music. [...] Attach an audio asset to a Reel during content creation. This uses the existing Content Publishing flow with an additional audio_configuration parameter.”
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