To make a post on Instagram: open the app, tap the "+" icon, pick photo or video, edit, add caption + hashtags + location, then tap "Share." That's the basic flow. There's more depth — feed posts vs Reels vs Stories vs Lives — each with different formats and use cases. Here's the full guide.
5 types of Instagram posts
| Type | What it is | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Feed post | Photo or video on your profile grid | Permanent |
| Carousel | Multi-slide feed post (up to 10 slides) | Permanent |
| Reel | Short vertical video (15-90 sec) | Permanent |
| Story | Vertical photo/video | 24 hours |
| Live | Real-time video broadcast | Permanent (if saved) |
Method 1 — Make a feed post (photo or video)
- Open the Instagram app.
- Tap the "+" icon at the bottom-centre of the screen.
- Pick "Post" from the menu.
- Select 1+ photos/videos from your camera roll. For carousel, tap the multi-select icon and pick up to 10.
- Edit each: filters, brightness, contrast, crop. Tap "Next."
- Write your caption (up to 2,200 characters).
- Add hashtags (3-10 ideal — not 30).
- Tag people if relevant.
- Add location.
- Optional: toggle "Share to Facebook" if you have linked accounts.
- Tap "Share."
The post goes live immediately. Allow 30-60 seconds for Instagram to process and surface it to your followers.
Method 2 — Make a carousel post
Carousels are 2-10 slide multi-image or multi-video posts. They get the highest dwell time of any Instagram format — viewers swipe through.
- Tap "+" → "Post."
- Tap the multi-select icon (overlapping squares) in the gallery view.
- Select 2-10 photos/videos in the order you want them.
- Edit each slide individually.
- Write caption referencing the carousel ("Swipe →" works well for first-time viewers).
- Share.
Carousel best practices:
- First slide should be a strong hook — viewers decide in 0.5 sec whether to swipe
- Mix formats — photo, screenshot, illustration, video — for variety
- End on a CTA or punchline
- Keep slides visually consistent (same colour palette, font)
Method 3 — Make a Reel
- Tap "+" → "Reel."
- Pick a video clip or record in-app (up to 90 sec).
- Add audio: search Instagram's music library or use original sound.
- Add effects, text overlays, transitions.
- Add caption + hashtags.
- Toggle cover image (custom thumbnail).
- Pick "Public" or "Followers only."
- Tap "Share."
Reels reach more non-followers than any other Instagram format. For growth, prioritise Reels over feed posts.
Method 4 — Make a Story
- Tap your profile picture (top-left) or swipe right from the feed.
- Pick a photo/video from your camera roll or capture new.
- Add stickers (poll, question, location, mention, GIF, music).
- Add text + drawings.
- Tap "Your Story" to publish.
Stories disappear after 24 hours. Save to Highlights to make them permanent on your profile.
Method 5 — Go Live
- Open Stories camera.
- Swipe left to "Live" option.
- Tap "Start Live Video."
- Interact in real time — read comments, invite guests, switch cameras.
- End the broadcast.
- Optional: save to IGTV or share to Stories.
Lives notify your followers. Best for AMA-style content, product launches, behind-the-scenes.
Writing strong Instagram captions
- Hook in first line. The first 125 characters show in feed before "...more."
- Tell a story, not just describe. "We launched X" is forgettable. "We almost cancelled X 3 days before launch because Y. Here's how it worked out…" is unforgettable.
- Ask a question. Engages comments, which boost algorithm.
- Add hashtags at the bottom or in first comment. Either works equally.
- 3-10 relevant hashtags. Not 30. Recent research shows quality over quantity.
Hashtag strategy
Mix of:
- 1-2 high-volume hashtags (millions of posts)
- 2-4 mid-volume hashtags (100k-1M posts)
- 2-4 niche hashtags (under 100k posts) — best discoverability
Niche hashtags are where new accounts get discovered. High-volume ones drown you in noise.
Common posting mistakes
- Posting low-quality images (Instagram compresses everything — start sharp)
- Using filters that look dated (#valencia from 2014 = ages your post)
- Posting at random times (timing affects algorithmic reach)
- Skipping location tag (drops local discovery)
- Hashtag stuffing (30 hashtags = spam signal)
- Cross-posting TikToks with watermark (algorithm penalty)
- Not replying to comments in first hour (engagement window matters)
When to post for max reach
| Day | Best time |
|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. + 7-9 p.m. |
| Friday | 1-3 p.m. + 7-9 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. |
| Sunday | 2-4 p.m. + 8-10 p.m. |
See best days + times for Instagram for the deeper breakdown.
FAQ
How do I make my first Instagram post?
Tap the "+" icon → Post → pick image/video → edit → add caption + hashtags + location → tap Share.
How do I post multiple photos at once?
In the gallery view, tap the multi-select icon (overlapping squares) and pick up to 10 photos/videos. They publish as a carousel.
Can I schedule Instagram posts?
Yes. Via Meta Business Suite (free), in-app on Business accounts, or tools like Buffer + So-me Studio. See how to schedule Instagram posts.
Can I edit a post after publishing?
Yes for caption + location + tags. Tap the three-dot menu on the post → Edit. You can't change the image/video.
How do I delete a post?
Open the post → three-dot menu → Delete. Permanent (no undo).
Next steps
Make a post today using the steps above. Track the engagement over the first 24 hours. For more on Instagram, read how to use Instagram, how the Instagram algorithm works, best Instagram posting times, and building a strong feed. To schedule posts ahead of time, use the So-me Studio scheduler.
