# Connect and publish to Instagram

Set up Instagram, choose the right destination, and check your first post.

Use Moosen to prepare and schedule image posts, carousels, Reels, or Stories. You'll need an eligible Instagram professional account that you can manage, plus an active Moosen subscription.

## Connect Instagram

1. Open **Brand → Social accounts**.
2. Select **Add Social Account**, then **Connect Instagram**.
3. Follow the sign-in and authorization flow. Read the permissions and choose the correct account or destination.
4. Return to Moosen and confirm the connection is listed.

![The connection picker in Moosen with publishing platforms available to select.](/screenshots/connect-channels.png "Start the Instagram connection from Add Social Account.")

## Prepare a post

Review the Instagram format in the post options. Reels need suitable video; Stories use their own publishing settings. Check cropping and keep important text away from the edges.

Open **Posts**, create a manual post, and select the connected Instagram account. Continue through content, media, and the available platform options.

![Manual composer showing where publishing destinations are selected.](/screenshots/create-post.png "Select the intended account before writing and adding media.")

Review the preview, choose **Now** or **Schedule**, and submit when ready. To include the account in automatic posts, select it in the brand's [posting schedule](/publishing/schedules).

## Check delivery

After publishing, open the post in **Posts** and inspect the Instagram result. Follow the live link when available. If it fails, read the destination error before retrying.

Instagram ads are managed separately through Meta in the Ads workspace. Approving a normal Instagram post does not create an ad.

See [fix a publishing problem](/publishing/troubleshooting) for a step-by-step check.