Instagram Collab Post API: Add Collaborators Automatically

Instagram collab posts show one Reel or post on two (or more) profiles at once, with shared likes, comments and views. They’re the fastest way to borrow someone else’s audience. The Creator OS API lets you add collaborators when you publish, so a scheduled Reel can go out as a collab without anyone opening the app. Pass collaborators with up to 3 usernames, or just ask Claude.

           your Reel + collaborators: ["partnerbrand"]
                              |
                              v
               invite sent to @partnerbrand on publish
                              |
               +--------------+--------------+
               v                             v
        your profile + feed        @partnerbrand's profile
                                   (once they accept)
               \_____ shared views, likes, comments _____/

The fields

• collaborators: up to 3 usernames. They must be public Business or Creator accounts. Feed posts, Reels and carousels; not Stories.
• userTags: tag people in the media. Images need x and y (0.0 to 1.0); Reels ignore coordinates. mediaIndex picks the carousel slide.
• isPaidPartnership and brandedContentSponsors (up to 2 sponsors): the “Paid partnership” label for sponsored collabs. These need the account connected with Facebook login.

POST /v1/posts
{
  "content": "We tested 5 AI video editors so you don't have to",
  "media": ["med_..."],
  "platforms": [{
    "platform": "instagram",
    "account_id": "acc_...",
    "options": {
      "collaborators": ["partnerbrand"],
      "userTags": [{ "username": "partnerbrand" }]
    }
  }]
}

From Claude

With the Instagram MCP server connected:

• “Post this Reel at 6pm as a collab with @partnerbrand and tag them.”
• “This one is sponsored by @brand: add the paid partnership label with them as the sponsor.”
• “Post the carousel as a collab with the two guests from the episode, tag each on their slide.”

How the invite works

When the post goes live, Instagram sends each collaborator an invite. The post shows on their profile once they accept. Tell your partner to look for it, especially when the post is scheduled for a time they’re offline.

Collab ideas that grow both accounts

• Swap formats: they appear in your Reel, you appear in theirs, both as collabs.
• Interview clips: every podcast or livestream guest gets a collab Reel of their best moment.
• Client results: agencies and coaches post a client’s win as a collab with the client.
• Brand deals: sponsored posts as collabs with the paid partnership label, so the brand gets reach and you stay compliant.

Limits

• Up to 3 collaborators per post.
• Collaborators must be public Business or Creator accounts.
• Not available on Stories.
• Paid partnership labels need a Facebook-login connection; Instagram-login accounts get a clear error telling you to reconnect.

FAQ

Can I schedule a collab?

Yes. The invite goes out when the post publishes.

Does it work for carousels?

Yes, feed posts, Reels and carousels.

More Instagram options?

See post options, including Trial Reels (guide), first comments and location tags.

Prefer to watch? The KevBuildsApps YouTube channel walks through builds like this one, start to finish.

Get started

Creator OS plans start at $19.99/month with the API, MCP server and CLI. Sign up, connect Instagram, and post your next collab from Claude.