Guide 1 of 4 in Level 3: Post it

How to schedule Instagram posts

Scheduling Instagram posts from a computer takes an Instagram Business or Creator account and a scheduler, such as Meta Business Suite or a tool like Blackbox, that posts at the time you set. In Blackbox (blackbox.plus), with that account connected to your brand, open a ready post from Plan and go to step 3, Post. In the Organic card, pick your Instagram account, and your TikTok account too if you want both in one send. Click Schedule — it often names a suggested time, like Schedule: Thu 19:00 — check the date and time, and click Schedule it. Or click Publish to post straight away. The time must be at least 2 minutes from now and no more than 180 days ahead, in your workspace's time zone, and the post goes out on its own. Everything scheduled and posted shows on Plan's calendar. To change a scheduled post, click Unschedule, edit it and schedule it again. Facebook Pages are not a destination.

You'll need
Time
About 3 minutes 7 steps Updated
You'll end with
Your post scheduled on Instagram — say, Thursday 7pm — and on Plan’s calendar
Do it in Blackbox Open Plan, after you sign in
Example
Scheduling a post for the time it usually does best

How to schedule Instagram posts in Blackbox

  1. Step 1:Open the post

    Click Plan, then the post on its day. With no day, it is in the brand’s Library.

    You'll see: The post, with its slides and the Caption, Check and Post steps.

    Open this in Blackbox

  2. Step 2:Go to Post

    Click step 3, Post.

    You'll see: Where it goes, with an Organic card and a Paid card.

  3. Step 3:Pick your accounts

    In Organic, click your Instagram account — and your TikTok account too, to send to both at once.

    You'll see: A line under the accounts saying how many it is going to.

  4. Step 4:Schedule it

    Click Schedule — it may already name a good time, like Schedule: Thu 19:00. Check the Date and Time, then click Schedule it.

    You'll see: Going out with the day and time, and an Unschedule button.

  5. Step 5:Or post it now

    Click Publish, then Post it to confirm.

    You'll see: Posting it now, then Live with a See the post link.

  6. Step 6:See it on the calendar

    Find its day in Plan.

    You'll see: Your post on its day under Month, or listed under Agenda.

    Open this in Blackbox

  7. Step 7:Change a scheduled post

    Open the post and click Unschedule, make your change, and schedule it again.

    You'll see: The post back to Ready, with the time you had offered again.

Good to know

  • In Plan, Planned for at the top of a post sets its day and time, and Schedule then offers exactly that instead of the suggested best time.
  • A scheduled time must be at least 2 minutes from now and no more than 180 days ahead. For anything sooner, press Publish.
  • Times are in your workspace’s time zone, set in Settings, and the post goes out on its own — you don’t need to be online.
  • The suggested time is when your accounts’ posts usually do best. Without enough history, Schedule opens on tomorrow at 09:00.
  • With Instagram and TikTok both picked, the caption gets an Instagram tab and a TikTok tab, so each can have its own words.
  • With Meta Ads connected, Do both: post now, then boost it posts the post and opens the boost review once it is live. Nothing spends until you start it.
  • Studio posts to Instagram and TikTok. Facebook Pages are not a place it posts to.
  • Carousels go out with 2 to 10 slides; a video goes to Instagram as a Reel. To move a scheduled post, unschedule it and schedule it again — the calendar does not drag.
  • Blackbox cannot delete an Instagram post once it is live. Delete it in the Instagram app.
  • If a post shows Failed or Needs checking, see If a post didn't go out: failed, needs checking, send again.
  • To plan the weeks ahead around your markets’ holidays, with your CMO’s suggestions on their days, see How to plan a social media content calendar.

Official docs

If something doesn't work

The Instagram account shows as read-only

Reconnect it: on the Data page, reconnect Instagram and leave posting allowed when Facebook asks. Everything you have set up stays, and your reporting keeps working the whole time.

I want the same post on Instagram and TikTok

Pick both accounts and press Publish or Schedule once. TikTok also asks who can see it before you send — see How to schedule TikTok posts.

My Facebook Page isn’t offered as a place to post

Studio posts to Instagram and TikTok only. Your Facebook Page is used to reach your Instagram account, not as a place to post.

The post went out at the wrong hour

Times follow the workspace’s time zone, shown under the time picker. Change it in Settings under Time zone, then schedule the next one again.

It won’t let me pick a date more than six months away

A scheduled time has to be within 180 days, and at least 2 minutes from now. Schedule it closer, or come back nearer the time.

I can’t edit a post I scheduled

A scheduled post is locked so what goes out is what you checked. Click Unschedule, make your changes, then schedule it again.

Stuck at any step? Send us a message and we'll do it with you on a call. All of Level 3: Post it