With so many media platforms, it’s such a relief when they all work together! Unfortunately, when it comes to the relationship between Twitter & Instagram, things aren’t quite what they seem.
Sure, Instagram has a “share to Twitter” button, but perhaps you’ve realized, what they REALLY mean is: “Instagram will post an ugly link to your photo and caption via Twitter, muahahah!” (evil laughter added).
The “Write” Stuff
Before I show you how to hack the system, I want to share an important note that will assist you with future workflows: When it comes to Instagram – as of May 2015, Instagram does not give permission for any 3rd party application to write or publish on its behalf.
In other words, if you want to post on Instagram, you have to use the app. This is different from Twitter, Facebook, & other platforms, and the reason it’s important to know is because if you want to automate ANY workflow that includes Instagram, you must START that workflow with Instagram.
Automation to the Rescue
Using IFTTT.com (If This Then That) you can setup a process whereby IFTTT will monitor your Instagram account for certain conditions. When those conditions are met, it will execute an action of your choosing.
For our purposes, the condition we will monitor is the use of a hashtag by my Instagram account only. When IFTTT sees that I have used a specific hashtag, it will execute the action: post native image to Twitter.
Here’s a video showing you how to set it up:
http://youtu.be/fvI3bSRPWvI
[Video via YouTube]
Respect the Medium: Why You Shouldn’t Automate All Your Instagram Posts
Now, before you get all giddy and start automating Instagram, remember, Twitter is a different platform than Instagram:
- It has it’s own “rules of the land” – Like the fact that you only get a certain amount of characters.
- You may have a difference audience on Twitter – Use language & hashtags accordingly.
- The life of a Tweet is shorter than an Instagram post – Consider what time you are posting to get the most engagement.
Bonus Tip: Post your Instagram Image to a Facebook Page
Using the same method, you can activate the Facebook Page channel in IFTTT and setup a hashtag condition to execute in the same way!
[Image via author, “I did that!” ::Sam Jackson Voice::]
Eric J says
Sorry to be that guy but you are using twitters logo from 3 years ago in the hero image ;). That said thanks for the post this is really interesting.