Reel Posting Checklist: 5 Checks Before You Post (2026)

#2. The content

Instagram's ranking explainer lists reels it tries to make less visible. Meta's 2025 guidance for Facebook adds more. Tick these off:

• No watermark from another app. Instagram names watermarked reels, and Meta's Facebook guidance says to avoid visible watermarks from third parties. See TikTok watermark on Reels.
• No borders. Instagram names reels that contain borders.
• Not mostly text. Instagram names reels that are majority text.
• Not already posted on Instagram. Instagram names reels that have already been posted on Instagram.
• Sharp, not blurry. Instagram names low resolution, and Snap names blurry or pixelated video.
• Right way up. Snap names footage that would make viewers rotate their phone.
• It is yours, or you changed it meaningfully. Meta says adding your watermark or stitching clips together does not count as meaningful enhancement.
• Text sits inside the safe zone. See safe zones for Reels text.

#3. The caption

• Instagram: the API reference allows up to 2,200 characters. On hashtags, Instagram's @creators account said in December 2025 that it would gradually limit captions on reels and posts to five hashtags. Plan for five.
• Facebook: Meta's 2025 creator guidance says captions with no links, minimal capitalisation and no more than five hashtags perform best.
• Snapchat Spotlight: the API allows a description of up to 160 characters, hashtags included.
• No links to other social apps in Spotlight posts. Snap says links to other social media platforms are not eligible for promotion.
• First line works on its own. The start of a caption is what shows before it is cut off.

Count it with the caption counter before you schedule.

#4. The account

• Instagram is a professional account. The API does not work with personal accounts.
• Linked to a Facebook Page if your tool uses Facebook Login. Meta's help centre has the steps for both the app and desktop.
• No pending Page Publishing Authorization. Meta's docs say an Instagram account whose Page needs it cannot be published to until it is done.
• Snapchat has a Public Profile. Spotlight posting from the camera needs you to be 16 or older.

#5. The schedule

• Facebook: Meta's Reels API needs a publish time more than 10 minutes ahead and within 29 days.
• Snapchat: the Business Manager dashboard stated in October 2026 that Story and Spotlight posts can be scheduled up to 30 days ahead in Profile Manager.
• Daily volume: Meta's docs cap Facebook Reels at 30 API posts per Page in a moving 24 hours, and Instagram at 100 API posts per account (50 on other Meta pages). These are ceilings, not targets.

That last point is from experience. A brand new Facebook Page of Scott's, with about 20 followers, was sent 25 to 30 Reels a day by API. The first Reels got 12 to 21 views each. Within about a week new Reels were getting 0 to 2 views, then none, and the Page appeared to be limited as spam. Facebook's API shows no field for this; only the Page owner sees it in Page status or the Professional dashboard. On a new account, post far less than the cap. More in how often to post Reels on a new Page.

Reel Uploader posts one video at a time on a schedule with a daily limit per account, which is the pacing this checklist points towards. The rest of the workflow is in the cross posting guide.

#Questions people ask

#What is the best length for a Reel that goes everywhere?

Between 6 and 60 seconds. That fits Instagram, Facebook Reels through the API and Snapchat Spotlight through the API.

#How many hashtags should I use on a Reel?

Five at most. Instagram said in December 2025 it would limit captions to five, and Meta's Facebook guidance says no more than five perform best.

#Why did my Reel get no views?

Check section 2 first: watermarks, borders, reposted content and low resolution are all named by Instagram. On Facebook, also check the Page for restrictions, covered in Facebook Reels getting zero views.