Overview

Later adheres to Instagram’s official API requirements. These rules determine which content formats can be auto-published, which features require manual publishing, and which actions are only available in the Instagram app itself.

These restrictions exist to protect your Instagram account and prevent unauthorized activity.

What this article covers

• Which Instagram formats are supported
• What requires manual publishing
• Why some features aren’t available in Later
• Why personal profiles aren’t supported
• Common questions about Stories, audio, and effects

Why does Later have Instagram publishing restrictions?

Later follows Instagram’s API guidelines as part of our verified partner relationship. These rules help ensure:

• secure publishing
• account protection
• appropriate permissions
• prevention of unauthorized actions

Because of this, some Instagram features are only available through Instagram directly (not through partner tools like Later).

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why doesn’t Later support 3:4 format for Instagram?

While Instagram now supports additional aspect ratios in the Instagram app, these formats are not yet available through Instagram’s Publishing API. Because Later is a verified Instagram partner, we must follow the API requirements, which currently means 3:4 posts may require manual (notification) publishing.

Why do some posts require manual publishing?

Some Instagram features (like music, stickers, effects, interactive elements, trending sounds, etc.) can only be added in Instagram’s editor.

Because of this, Instagram requires manual publishing when these elements are included.

Why do Reels sometimes require manual publishing?

If a Reel contains unsupported audio, Instagram requires manual publishing to protect your account.

Can I add music to an Instagram post in Later?

Currently, Instagram doesn’t allow third-party partner platforms to auto-publish posts with certain audio elements. If your post includes music or sound effects, schedule using Send Notification and finish publishing in Instagram.

Why aren’t stickers, polls, or interactive Story elements available in Later?

These elements can only be added inside Instagram’s native app. For Stories with interactive elements, schedule using Send Notification and complete your edits in Instagram.

Why does Later only show Post or Reel options?

Some Story options depend on:

• Instagram account type
• Instagram API permissions
• the content you’re uploading
• whether auto-publish is available for that format

When in doubt, schedule using Send Notification.

Can I upload a long video as a Story?

Stories longer than 15 seconds may need to be split into segments. If the video doesn’t upload automatically, use manual publishing to finish the post in Instagram.

Why don’t collaborative posts I’m tagged in appear in Later?

Instagram only shares collaborative posts with the profile that originally created the post. If you were tagged as a collaborator, the post may not appear in Later or in Link in Bio.

This is controlled by Instagram and cannot be changed by partner tools.

Why do I need a Business or Creator profile?

Instagram only allows publishing through the API for Business or Creator profiles. Personal profiles can’t publish through Later.

This is an Instagram rule.

If I post to Facebook, will it also publish to Instagram?

Automatic cross-posting from Facebook to Instagram isn’t supported through Later. Some content must be published separately in Instagram.