Posting to multiple social media platforms can be time consuming. Luckily, there are now ways to easily cross-post between Facebook and Instagram so you don’t have to create duplicate posts manually. Cross-posting allows you to share content on both platforms simultaneously with just a few clicks. This saves a tremendous amount of time and effort.
Why Cross-Post Between Facebook and Instagram?
There are a few key reasons why cross-posting between Facebook and Instagram is beneficial:
- Reach a broader audience. By sharing content on both platforms, you can reach both your Facebook and Instagram followers at the same time.
- Save time. Creating unique content for each platform takes a lot of extra effort. Cross-posting allows you to reuse content.
- Increase engagement. Posts shared on multiple platforms tend to get more overall likes, comments and shares.
- Drive more traffic. Cross-posting makes it easy for your Instagram followers to visit your Facebook profile and vice versa.
Steps to Cross-Post Between Facebook and Instagram
There are a few different methods you can use to cross-post between Facebook and Instagram. Here are the main options:
Use a Social Media Management Platform
A social media management platform like Hootsuite or Sprout Social makes cross-posting super easy. After connecting your Facebook and Instagram accounts to the platform, you can create posts and schedule them to publish on both networks simultaneously.
The steps are:
- Connect your Facebook and Instagram accounts to your platform of choice.
- Create a new post within the platform.
- Select the connected accounts you want to share to.
- Schedule the post to publish at the same time on both networks.
Social media management platforms provide analytics on your cross-posts so you can see how they performed on each platform.
Use Facebook’s Native Cross-Posting
Facebook has built-in cross-posting capabilities between Facebook and Instagram. When creating a post in Facebook, you have the option to share to Instagram as well.
Here are the steps:
- Draft a new post in Facebook as you normally would.
- Before publishing, click the arrow below your post.
- Select “Share on Instagram” from the dropdown menu.
- Your Facebook post will be shared instantly on your connected Instagram account.
The main advantage of native Facebook cross-posting is convenience, since everything is contained within one platform. The downside is you have less flexibility compared to third-party tools.
Use Instagram’s Native Cross-Posting
Similarly, Instagram offers built-in options to cross-post content from Instagram back to Facebook. When creating an Instagram post, you can enable Facebook sharing.
To do this:
- Create a new post within the Instagram app as usual.
- Below your post, toggle on the “Share to Facebook” option.
- Tap “Share Now” to instantly post to your connected Facebook account.
Again, while this is straightforward, your options are more limited than third-party tools. But it does save switching between apps.
Use IFTTT
IFTTT is a popular automation service that lets you create applets to link different online services together. You can set up an applet that automatically shares new Instagram posts to Facebook.
To set this up:
- Connect your Instagram and Facebook accounts to IFTTT.
- Browse IFTTT applets and find the Instagram to Facebook options.
- Activate the applet. New Instagram posts will now auto-share to Facebook.
IFTTT is free to use, but limited to simple triggers like new posts. Paid plans add more complex automation.
Apps for Cross-Posting
There are also specialized cross-posting apps that provide additional options beyond the native and IFTTT methods above:
| App | Platforms | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Sendible | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter | Robust posting scheduler, analytics, team collaboration features |
| Tailwind | Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter | Scheduling, content curation tools, hashtag recommendations |
| Planoly | Instagram, Pinterest | Grid scheduling, drag-and-drop content editor |
Tips for Successful Cross-Posting
Here are some tips to ensure your cross-posts between Facebook and Instagram are as effective as possible:
- Tailor content for each platform – While the core post can be the same, customize caption text for Facebook vs Instagram audiences.
- Space out posts – Avoid sharing too many duplicate posts on both platforms close together.
- Consider visual styling – Instagram favors bright, eye-catching visuals while Facebook leans more text-heavy.
- Analyze performance – Compare engagement rates on both platforms and adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Automate comments – Use tools like Jarvee to auto-comment and engage with audiences cross-platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you auto-post from Instagram to Facebook?
Yes, Instagram offers built-in options to cross-post content from Instagram back to Facebook. When creating an Instagram post, you can enable Facebook sharing to auto-post to your connected Facebook account.
Is there a free tool for auto-posting between Facebook and Instagram?
Yes, there are a few free options for cross-posting between Facebook and Instagram:
- Facebook’s native auto-sharing is free
- Instagram’s native auto-sharing is free
- IFTTT applets are free for basic functionality
While the native and IFTTT options are limited, they provide free solutions for basic cross-posting needs.
What third-party apps can I use to schedule posts to both Facebook and Instagram?
Some popular third-party apps with scheduling features for cross-posting between Facebook and Instagram include:
- Hootsuite
- Sprout Social
- Sendible
- Tailwind
- Later
- Planoly
These tools provide more robust scheduling, analytics, and content management features compared to native options.
Is auto-posting from Facebook to Instagram against Instagram’s terms of service?
No, Instagram formally allows cross-posting from Facebook. As long as your Instagram account is connected to your Facebook Page, auto-posting from Facebook to Instagram does not go against Instagram’s terms.
Can I schedule an auto-post from Instagram to Facebook in the future?
Yes, while Instagram’s native auto-posting shares to Facebook instantly, third-party apps like Hootsuite and Sprout Social allow you to schedule an Instagram post to auto-publish on Facebook at a future date and time.
This is useful for planning out your cross-platform content calendar in advance.
Conclusion
Cross-posting is a simple yet effective tactic to expand your reach, save time, and grow engagement across Facebook and Instagram. While native auto-sharing options are available, third-party social media management platforms provide the most flexibility and analytics.
With the right tools and optimization, auto-posting from Facebook to Instagram can be a valuable addition to your social strategy.