How to Add a Reminder on an Instagram Post

Adding a reminder to your Instagram post is a direct way to cut through the algorithm and notify your audience about something important. This feature is perfect for launches, live events, or any time-sensitive announcement you don't want your followers to miss. This guide will walk you through exactly how to set up an Instagram reminder, why it's such a powerful tool, and share creative strategies for using it to grow your brand.

What is the Instagram Reminder Feature?

The Instagram reminder feature allows you to add a notification prompt to standard feed posts and Reels for an upcoming event. When your followers see the post, they can tap a bell icon to opt-in for notifications. Instagram then automatically sends them a series of alerts - 24 hours before, 15 minutes before, and at the exact moment - your event or launch is set to begin. It's a simple, effective way to turn passive scrollers into active, timely participants.

Think of it as a built-in countdown clock that lives directly on your content. Instead of just hoping people remember your announcement, you give them a native tool to do it for them, dramatically increasing the chances they'll show up exactly when you want them to.

How to Add a Reminder to a New Instagram Post (Step-by-Step)

You can add a reminder to any new photo, video, or Reel you publish to your feed. The process is straightforward and integrated directly into the normal posting workflow you already know.

Here's how to do it:

• Step 1: Start a New Post. Open the Instagram app and tap the + icon at the bottom of the screen to create a new post. Select the photo, video, or Reel you want to use for your announcement.
• Step 2: Edit and write your caption. Go through the usual editing process. When you get to the final screen, write a compelling caption that explains what the reminder is for. Clearly tell people what they should do, for example: "Tap the bell below to get a reminder for our flash sale!"
• Step 3: Tap 'Add Reminder'. Just below the "Add Location" option, you will see a button labeled "Add Reminder." Tap on it. This will open up a new menu.
• Step 4: Set Up Your Reminder Details. You'll need to fill in two fields:
  • Reminder Title: This text tells people what the event is. Make it clear and exciting. For example, instead of just "Live," try "Live Q&A: Our New Product." Instead of "Sale," use "Annual Summer Sale Begins." Be specific.
  • Start Time: Set the date and time for your event. Keep in mind that the start time must be at least one hour in the future and can be set up to three months in advance.
• Step 5: Finalize and Share. After setting the title and time, tap "Done." You will be returned to the post creation screen. Check your caption, location, and tags as usual, then tap "Share" to publish your post.

Once your post is live, it will appear in your feed with a small bell icon in the bottom left corner. When a user taps it, they'll see your reminder title and have the option to hit a "Remind Me" button to subscribe to the notifications.

What about scheduling a reminder post?

At the moment, Instagram doesn't allow you to set Reminders on posts using the in-app scheduler or most third-party API solutions. This means reminder posts must be published live. This is why having your content ready to go is so important, you can still write your caption and prepare your media ahead of time, then just hit "publish" on the day and time you've chosen.

The Strategic Advantage: Why You Should Be Using Instagram Reminders

This simple feature might seem small, but it's loaded with strategic value for marketers, creators, and brands. Here is how adding reminders can directly contribute to your social media goals.

1. It Guarantees Attention at a Specific Moment

The Instagram feed is unpredictable. Someone might see your post about a noon product launch at 8 PM that same day - long after it matters. A reminder cuts through that algorithmic uncertainty. By sending a direct notification to a willing user's phone, you command their attention at the precise moment you need it. This is invaluable for driving traffic to live streams, flash sales, or limited-edition product drops where timeliness is everything.

2. It Builds Genuine Hype and Anticipation

A countdown naturally creates anticipation. The reminder feature is a native, non-spammy way to foster this excitement. Instead of you repeatedly posting "Don't forget!" in your Stories, your audience takes the action. Giving your followers the ability to opt-in makes them part of the build-up. It's a small commitment that makes them feel more invested in the outcome, turning them from passive followers into active participants in your launch.

3. It Identifies and Mobilizes Your Most Engaged Followers

The people who take the time to set a reminder for your event are your most loyal and interested fans. They are your core community - the people most likely to buy, share, and advocate for your brand. This feature acts as a self-segmentation tool. You can pay attention to who interacts with these posts and gain insight into the followers who are truly paying attention. They've raised their hand to say, "I'm interested," and that's valuable data.

4. It Creates Exclusivity and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

Notifications feel exclusive. By giving users a special alert, you tap directly into the psychology of FOMO. Setting a reminder makes them feel "on the inside" - like they'll get access before anyone else. This is potent, especially for limited quantity product releases, timed discounts, or for sneak peek announcements your fans wouldn't want to miss.

Creative Ideas: How to Use Reminders for Your Brand

Reminders aren't just for e-commerce brands dropping a new product. They're a versatile tool that can be adapted for nearly any type of business or creator. Here are some actionable ideas to get you started.

Product Launches & Restocks

This is the most common use case, and for good reason. Create a post showcasing your new product or a highly requested restock.

• Example Title: "The Aurora Collection Is Here"
• Example Caption: "Our new fall collection lands this Friday! Tap the reminder bell to be the first to shop when it goes live. You won't want to miss this."

Live Events & Webinars

If you're hosting a live Q&A, a workshop, an interview, or a tutorial on Instagram Live, use a reminder post a few days in advance to secure an audience.

• Example Title: "Live Q&A with our Founder"
• Example Caption: "Going LIVE this Wednesday at 7 PM EST to answer all your questions about our journey and future plans. Hit the bell to join us!"

Flash Sales & Limited-Time Offers

Urgency is the key to a successful flash sale. A reminder is the perfect tool to ensure people show up right when the discounts begin or right before they end.

• Example Title: "48-Hour Fall Sale Starts Now"
• Example Caption: "Our biggest sale of the season starts tomorrow morning! Everything will be 40% off for 48 hours only. You know what to do - Tap that reminder!"

Content Premieres

Are you a YouTuber, podcaster, or creator with an episodic show? Build excitement for your next release and drive immediate traffic.

• Example Title: "New Podcast Episode Drop"
• Example Caption: "This week's episode with our special guest is a game-changer. It goes live Thursday at 9 AM. Set a reminder to be the first to listen."

Community Challenges or Virtual Events

Hosting a 7-day challenge, a virtual summit, or an online meetup? Use reminders to mark the kickoff and key milestone events throughout the challenge.

• Example Title: "Our 7-Day Fitness Challenge"
• Example Caption: "Who's ready?! Our challenge kicks off this Monday morning. Tap the bell to get the kick-off notification so you can start with all of us in real-time."

Final Thoughts

Effectively using Instagram Reminders is about connecting with your audience for moments that really matter. It's a tool designed to turn passive promotion into active participation, giving you a direct line to your followers' attention when it counts the most. By integrating them into your product launches, live events, and major announcements, you can build anticipation and drive real-time engagement that the algorithm alone can't guarantee.

On our end, we know that great social media isn't built on isolated posts but on well-planned campaigns. Your most important moments - like the ones you'd create on Instagram - deserve a home where they can be seen alongside the rest of your content strategy. That's why we built the visual calendar in Postbase, so you can map out campaigns, schedule supporting content, and see how your key events fit into the bigger picture. It gives you that bird's-eye view, making it easy to plan and execute a strategy where every post has a purpose.