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Scheduler: Instagram Collaboration

Invite Instagram collaborators to your Instagram Image, Carousel and Reel posts!

Tereza avatar
Written by Tereza
Updated over 2 months ago

Invite collaborators to your Instagram posts directly through ZoomSphere! This feature makes it super easy to boost engagement by collaborating with others.

What is an Instagram collaboration?

Instagram Collaborations allow two or more users to co-author posts or Reels, sharing the same content with their combined followers. When a collaboration is set up, the content appears on all the collaborators' profiles and is visible to each of their audiences. This feature increases engagement by pooling likes, comments, and shares, benefiting all parties. Collaborators must be invited and accept the collaboration request for the post to be shared on their profiles.

How to Invite Collaborators

  1. Upload your file (image or video, depending on your post type)

  2. Click the "Invite collaborators" button below 👇

  3. Enter the username and confirm by pressing ENTER.

  4. After saving, you'll spot the collaborator's icon at the top of your post, with the number of collaborators (1) displayed on the button below.

  5. Hit publish and wait for your collaborators to be notified on Instagram and accept the invite. Done. ✔️

Preview

To double-check or show all the invited collaborators, click the tagged icon in the bottom left corner.


Number of Collaborators

In ZoomSphere, you can invite up to 3 public Instagram accounts as collaborators for each post.

Post Types

Invite collaborators to these Instagram posts:

  • Image post

  • Carousel post

  • Short Video (Reel) post

Activity Log & Post History

Every edit in collaborations is tracked in the Activity Log and Post History.

Accepting Collaboration

Please note, that collaboration is not automatic, but the invited user needs to accept your post invitation first in order to show on their profile and feed. To see if your request has been accepted, you can visit the post directly on Instagram via the "Open post URL."
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Mobile App

Thanks to the Mobile App you can invite your collaborators even when on the go! 🚀

Ensure your app is updated to version 1.2.232 to unlock this feature.

Collaboration vs. User Tagged

The difference between these two very similar features:

Collaboration:

  • Purpose: Co-create and share content between accounts.

  • Visibility: Appears on both collaborators’ profiles and feeds.

  • Impact: Increases reach and engagement across both audiences.

User Tagged:

  • Purpose: Identify and credit users in a post.

  • Visibility: Tagged users are linked in the post and may appear in their "Photos of You" section.

  • Impact: Alerts tagged users and encourages engagement but doesn’t expand reach like collaborations. Learn more

In summary, Instagram collaboration is for jointly shared content with combined visibility, while user tagging is for identifying individuals or accounts related to the content without sharing it across multiple profiles.

Limitations

  • Private Instagram Accounts

Inviting private accounts as collaborators is not supported due to the official Instagram API limitations that apply to all third-party tools. You can still manually invite private accounts as collaborators via the ZoomSphere mobile app.

  • Not supported for Stories

Inviting collaborators to your Instagram Stories is impossible due to Instagram API limitations.

  • Collaboration Status

You will not be able to see the collaboration's status in ZoomSphere. To see if your request has been accepted, you can visit the post directly on Instagram via the "Open post URL."

  • Account Settings

For the post to be successfully published, ensure that the invited Instagram account has enabled "Allow tags from everyone" or at least "Allow tags from people that you follow"  in its account settings.
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Collaboration in Action

Here are a few examples of when to use Instagram collaborations:

  1. Brand and Influencer Partnerships: Brands can team up with influencers to co-create content and share it across both profiles, boosting visibility and reach.

  2. Co-Hosting Events: Two businesses can collaborate on virtual or in-person events by sharing joint promotional content through the Instagram Collabs feature.

  3. Product Collaborations: Designers or brands launching joint product lines can post a single announcement, making it visible to both audiences.

  4. Nonprofit Partnerships: Charities can collaborate with celebrities or businesses to raise awareness for a cause, with both profiles sharing the message.

  5. Cross-Promotion for Contests or Giveaways: Co-sponsors of a giveaway can use collaborations to promote the contest on multiple accounts, maximizing exposure and engagement.


FAQ

Can I see the status of a collaboration request in ZoomSphere, such as whether it's pending, accepted, or declined?

No, you cannot see the collaboration's status in ZoomSphere. To see if your request has been accepted, you can visit the post directly on Instagram via the "Open post URL."


What happens if the tagged person in the collaboration request doesn’t respond?

If the person tagged in the collaboration request doesn’t respond, the post will still get published (without the collaborator); however, the collab invitation will remain pending until they accept or decline.


What if the person tagged for collaboration declines the request?

If the tagged person declines the collaboration request, consider sending a new request or inviting a different collaborator. However, your post will still be published without the invited collaborator.


Can I resend a collaboration request if it was initially declined?

Yes, you can resend the collaboration request if it was declined, or you can choose to invite another collaborator.


If I delete a collaboration post from my profile, will it also be deleted from the collaborators’ profiles?

Yes, once you delete the post, it will also be removed from the collaborator's profile.


Can a collaborator delete the post that is shared with them?

No, collaborators cannot delete the post. However, they can stop sharing the post on their profile. This will not hide the post from your profile.

Additional Q&A:

Can I invite multiple collaborators for a single post?

Yes, you can invite up to 3 collaborators for a single post. Each collaborator will receive an invitation and must accept it individually.


How do I cancel a collaboration request after it's been sent?

You can only cancel a collaboration request by navigating and editing the post directly on Instagram and removing tagged users from the post. It is not possible to cancel the sent invitation in ZoomSphere.


Will I be notified when a collaborator accepts or declines my request?

No, you will not be notified if the collaborator accepts or declines the invite in ZoomSphere. However, you can always double-check the status directly on Instagram via the "Open post URL."


Can I edit the collaboration post after a collaborator has accepted the request?

Yes, you can edit the post even after the collaborator has accepted the request directly on the Instagram platform (not in ZoomSphere). However, it’s a good idea to communicate any changes with your collaborators.


What happens if a collaborator edits the post after it’s been published?

Invited collaborators cannot edit the post. They can only stop sharing the post on their profile.

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