# Reels, Shorts & Stories

Short-form, immersive content formats for deep engagement. Use Publer’s API to schedule or publish Reels (Instagram & Facebook), Shorts (YouTube), and Stories (Instagram & Facebook) with a single JSON payload.

### Supported Formats & Specs

<table><thead><tr><th width="79.0054931640625">Format</th><th width="108.24725341796875">Platform</th><th width="132.90667724609375">Max Duration</th><th width="109.989501953125">Aspect Ratio</th><th width="83.7396240234375">Max Size</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Reels</td><td>Instagram, Facebook</td><td>3–90 seconds</td><td>9:16</td><td>1 GB</td><td>Optional audio rename, feed toggle</td></tr><tr><td>Shorts</td><td>YouTube</td><td>≤ 60 seconds</td><td>9:16</td><td>2 GB</td><td><code>privacy</code>: <code>public</code>/<code>private</code>/<code>unlisted</code></td></tr><tr><td>Stories</td><td>Instagram, Facebook</td><td>≤ 15 seconds</td><td>9:16</td><td>1 GB</td><td>Photo or video, link stickers on IG</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Request Structure

Send to the scheduling endpoint or use `/posts/schedule/publish` for immediate posting:

#### 1. Instagram/Facebook Reel

```json
{
  "bulk": {
    "state": "scheduled",
    "posts": [{
      "networks": {
        "instagram": {
          "type": "video",
          "text": "Our summer Reel!",
          "media": [{
            "id": "67c9630bedeb539dd87dd23c",
            "path": "https://cdn.publer.com/videos/67c9630b.mp4",
            "type": "video",
            "thumbnails": [
                  {
                    "id": "67da852b075cdb33821384ba",
                    "small": "https://.../thumb_67da852b075cdb33821384ba.jpg",
                    "real":  "https://.../67da852b075cdb33821384ba.jpg"
                  },
                  ......
                  {
                    "id": "67da852c075cdb33821384bb",
                    "small": "https://.../thumb_67da852c075cdb33821384bb.jpg",
                    "real":  "https://.../67da852c075cdb33821384bb.jpg"
                  },
            "default_thumbnail": 1
          }],
          "details": {
            "type": "reel",
            "audio": "Custom audio name",
            "feed": false
          }
        }
      },
      "accounts": [{
        "id": "67d1f5f13d9895bab04393ec",
        "scheduled_at": "2025-07-27T14:16:00+02:00"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
```

#### Instagram Trial Reels (optional)

Trial Reels let you publish a Reel as a trial before it’s shown to your followers.

Set `networks.instagram.details.trial_reel` when creating an Instagram Reel:

* `MANUAL`The Reel remains in trial until you approve sharing it with your followers.
* `SS_PERFORMANCE`: Instagram may automatically share the Reel to your followers if it performs well.

**Notes**

* `trial_reel` is only supported for Instagram Reels (`details.type = "reel"`).
* `trial_reel` is optional. If omitted, the Reel is created normally.

```json
{
  "bulk": {
    "state": "scheduled",
    "posts": [{
      "networks": {
        "instagram": {
          "type": "video",
          "text": "Trial Reel",
          "media": [{
            "id": "67c9630bedeb539dd87dd23c",
            "path": "https://cdn.publer.com/videos/67c9630b.mp4",
            "type": "video",
            "thumbnails": [
                  {
                    "id": "67da852b075cdb33821384ba",
                    "small": "https://.../thumb_67da852b075cdb33821384ba.jpg",
                    "real":  "https://.../67da852b075cdb33821384ba.jpg"
                  },
                  ......
                  {
                    "id": "67da852c075cdb33821384bb",
                    "small": "https://.../thumb_67da852c075cdb33821384bb.jpg",
                    "real":  "https://.../67da852c075cdb33821384bb.jpg"
                  },
            "default_thumbnail": 1
          }],
          "details": {
            "type": "reel",
            "trial_reel": "SS_PERFORMANCE"
          }
        }
      },
      "accounts": [{
        "id": "67b5f97c2540fe322d786026",
        "scheduled_at": "2026-02-21T10:02+01:00"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
```

{% hint style="info" %}
`trial_reel` is only supported for Instagram Reels (`details.type: "reel"`).
{% endhint %}

#### 2. YouTube Short

```json
{
  "bulk": {
    "state": "scheduled",
    "posts": [{
      "networks": {
        "youtube": {
          "type": "video",
          "title": "Our Latest Short",
          "text": "Quick highlights!",
          "media": [{
            "id": "67c9630bedeb539dd87dd23c",
            "path": "https://cdn.publer.com/videos/67c9630b.mp4",
            "type": "video",
            "thumbnails": [
                  {
                    "id": "67da852b075cdb33821384ba",
                    "small": "https://.../thumb_67da852b075cdb33821384ba.jpg",
                    "real":  "https://.../67da852b075cdb33821384ba.jpg"
                  },
                  .....
                  {
                    "id": "67da852c075cdb33821384bb",
                    "small": "https://.../thumb_67da852c075cdb33821384bb.jpg",
                    "real":  "https://.../67da852c075cdb33821384bb.jpg"
                  }
          }],
          "details": {
            "type": "short",
            "privacy": "public"
          }
        }
      },
      "accounts": [{
        "id": "64abc34d4e299e662bfd6389",
        "scheduled_at": "2025-08-01T14:16:00+02:00"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
```

#### 3. Instagram/Facebook Story

```json
{
  "bulk": {
    "state": "scheduled",
    "posts": [{
      "networks": {
        "instagram": {
          "type": "photo",
          "text": "Behind the scenes!",
          "media": [{
            "id": "680fa5cc48487c4ccbf8c146",
            "path": "https://cdn.publer.com/photos/680fa5cc.jpg",
            "type": "photo"
          }],
          "details": {
            "type": "story"
          }
        }
      },
      "accounts": [{
        "id": "67d1f5f13d9895bab04393ec",
        "scheduled_at": "2025-08-24T14:16:00+02:00"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
```

### Common Parameters

<table><thead><tr><th width="267.07183837890625">Field</th><th width="83.39630126953125">Type</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><code>networks.{provider}.type</code></td><td>string</td><td><code>"video"</code> for Reels/Shorts/Stories, <code>"photo"</code> for Stories</td></tr><tr><td><code>networks.{provider}.text</code></td><td>string</td><td>Caption or overlay text</td></tr><tr><td><code>networks.youtube.title</code></td><td>string</td><td>Title for YouTube Shorts</td></tr><tr><td><code>networks.{provider}.media[]</code></td><td>array</td><td>Media array (from Media API)</td></tr><tr><td><code>media[].id</code></td><td>string</td><td>Publer media identifier</td></tr><tr><td><code>media[].path</code></td><td>string</td><td>URL to the video or image</td></tr><tr><td><code>media[].type</code></td><td>string</td><td><code>"video"</code> or <code>"photo"</code></td></tr><tr><td><code>media[].thumbnails</code></td><td>array</td><td>An array of thumbnail objects with <code>id</code>, <code>small</code>, and <code>real</code> URLs (Video only)</td></tr><tr><td><code>media[].default_thumbnail</code></td><td>integer</td><td>Index of the thumbnail image (Video only)</td></tr><tr><td><code>networks.{provider}.details</code></td><td>object</td><td>Format-specific settings</td></tr><tr><td><code>details.type</code></td><td>string</td><td><code>"reel"</code>, <code>"short"</code>, or <code>"story"</code></td></tr><tr><td><code>details.audio</code></td><td>string</td><td>Custom audio name for Reels (optional)</td></tr><tr><td><code>details.feed</code></td><td>boolean</td><td><code>true</code> to also post Reel in Feed tab (Instagram only)</td></tr><tr><td><code>details.trial_reel</code></td><td>string</td><td>Instagram only. Trial Reel mode: <code>"MANUAL"</code> or <code>"SS_PERFORMANCE"</code>.</td></tr><tr><td><code>details.privacy</code></td><td>string</td><td><code>"public"</code>, <code>"private"</code>, or <code>"unlisted"</code> (Shorts only)</td></tr><tr><td><code>accounts[].id</code></td><td>string</td><td>Target account identifier</td></tr><tr><td><code>accounts[].scheduled_at</code></td><td>string</td><td>ISO 8601 timestamp for scheduling (omit for immediate publishing)</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Workflow

#### Reels

1. **Upload**: Use [Media API](/docs/posting/create-posts/media-handling.md) to upload vertical video (9:16).
2. **Compose**: Set `"details.type": "reel"`, optional `audio` and `feed` flags.
3. **(Optional) Trial Reel**: Set `details.trial_reel` to `MANUAL` or `SS_PERFORMANCE`.
4. **Schedule**: Provide `scheduled_at` or publish immediately.
5. **Verify**: Monitor job status and preview in dashboard.

#### Shorts

1. **Upload**: Upload video ≤ 60 sec, 9:16 ratio.
2. **Configure**: Set `"details.type": "short"` and `privacy`.
3. **Add Title/Text**: Populate `title` and `text`.
4. **Publish**: Schedule or publish immediately.

#### Stories

1. **Upload**: Add photo or video ≤ 15 sec.
2. **Tag as Story**: Use `"details.type": "story"`.
3. **Caption**: Add `text` overlay.
4. **Schedule**: Set `scheduled_at` or publish now.

### Best Practices

* Use high-quality, platform-compliant media (9:16 ratio).
* Rename Reel audio to match branding.
* Schedule according to audience peak times.

### Related Topics

* [Platform-Specific Formats](/docs/posting/create-posts/content-types/platform-specific-formats.md)
* [Publishing Methods](/docs/posting/create-posts/publishing-methods.md)
* [Content Types](/docs/posting/create-posts/content-types.md)


---

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```
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