> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.autoreelapp.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.autoreelapp.com/creating-a-video/how-to-download-and-share-videos/schedule-and-post-to-social-media.md).

# Schedule and Post to social media

## Step by Step Video Walkthrough (4 minutes)

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQeInu3se0E>" %}

Connect your accounts once, then post right away or set a time for later.

Find it in the sidebar under **Social media manager** to get started.

<figure><img src="/files/i0pjBQajPbQUNh6fmts3" alt="" width="355"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Requirements

**Note: For security and privacy reasons, Facebook and Instagram impose certain requirements to enable social sharing.**

Check and confirm the below requirements are met before proceeding.

| Requirement                                                                     | Why                                                                 | How To                                                                                   |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Instagram Account must be a **Business** or **Creator** account (both are free) | Instagram does not let outside apps post from personal accounts     | [Setup Free Professional Instagram Account](https://help.instagram.com/502981923235522/) |
| A Facebook **Page** you are an admin of                                         | You can only post to a Facebook page rather than personal timeline. | [Create or Manage a Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/help/104002523024878)        |

Switching [Instagram to a professional account is free](https://help.instagram.com/502981923235522/) and takes about two minutes. You keep your followers and your posts.

Someone else runs your Facebook Page? Ask them to give you Facebook access with full control. Partial control is not enough. Send them this resource: [How do I give someone access to my Facebook Page?](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/152071822895768)

### Connect your accounts

Do this one time to connect your social media accounts.

1. Open **Social media manager** from the sidebar.
2. Click **Connect account** in the top right.
3. A secure window opens. Log in and pick your account.
4. You land back on AutoReel and see the account marked **Connected**.

Connect Instagram, a Facebook Page, or both.

### Post a video

<figure><img src="/files/9zf2f63Aet3QY0HvYSjC" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

1. Find a finished video in your listings.
2. Click **Share >** **Post on socials**.

Then fill out the post details:

<img src="/files/9nnt83KLvAMiGcy37j4v" alt="" height="446" width="380">

1. **Pick your accounts.** All connected accounts are checked already. Click a card to turn one off.
2. **Write your caption.** Type it, or click **Generate with AI** and edit what you get. The counter shows how many characters you have left. It turns red if you go over.
3. **Pick your timing.**
   1. **Post now** sends it right away. This is the default.
   2. **Post later** shows a date and time picker. Set the day and time, then click **Schedule post**.

You land on the Social media manager page so you can watch it go out.

### Track your posts

Navigate to [Social Media Manager](https://www.autoreelapp.com/listings/social) from your sidebar to see a table which shows every post and it's status. You can use the filters to switch between All, Scheduled, Posted, and Failed.

Each row shows the video, the account, the scheduled time, and a status.

| Status              | What it means                                   |
| ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **Scheduled**       | Waiting for its time. Nothing to do.            |
| **Publishing**      | Going out now.                                  |
| **Posted**          | It is live. Click **View** to see it.           |
| **Retrying**        | Something went wrong. AutoReel is trying again. |
| **Needs attention** | It got stuck. Take a look.                      |
| **Failed**          | It did not go out. Click **Retry**.             |
| **Canceled**        | You called it off. You can reschedule it.       |

### Frequently Asked Questions

| Problem                                 | Fix                                                                                            |
| --------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Wrong Facebook Page name                | Disconnect, connect again, pick the right Page                                                 |
| Your Instagram account does not show up | It is still a personal account, or it is not connected to a Page. Fix both in Before you start |
| Schedule button does nothing            | Pick at least one account, and set a date and time                                             |
| Caption will not save                   | It is too long. Trim it until the counter turns back to normal                                 |
| Post says Failed                        | Click **Retry**. If it fails again, reconnect the account and reschedule                       |