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

Format	Platform	Max Duration	Aspect Ratio	Max Size	Notes
Reels	Instagram, Facebook	3–90 seconds	9:16	1 GB	Optional audio rename, feed toggle
Shorts	YouTube	≤ 60 seconds	9:16	2 GB	privacy: public/private/unlisted
Stories	Instagram, Facebook	≤ 15 seconds	9:16	1 GB	Photo or video, link stickers on IG

Request Structure

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

1. Instagram/Facebook Reel

{
  "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:

• MANUALThe 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.

{
  "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"
      }]
    }]
  }
}

trial_reel is only supported for Instagram Reels (details.type: "reel").

2. YouTube Short

{
  "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

{
  "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

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

Workflow

Reels

1. Upload: Use Media API 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

• Publishing Methods

• Content Types