How to Upload Reels from Creator Studio

If you're trying to figure out how to upload Reels from Creator Studio, you've probably noticed that things look a little different lately. That's because Meta has officially moved all functions from Creator Studio into the Meta Business Suite, creating a single - and sometimes confusing - place for all your content management. This guide will walk you through the new step-by-step process for uploading and scheduling your Instagram Reels from your desktop and share some pro tips to make the process smoother.

So, What Happened to Creator Studio?

Let's address the elephant in the room first. For years, Creator Studio was the go-to desktop tool for managing Instagram and Facebook content. It was where you went to schedule posts, check analytics, and manage your inbox. However, in an effort to unify its tools, Meta decided to merge Creator Studio's features directly into the Meta Business Suite.

The transition's goal was simple: provide one dashboard for creators and businesses to manage everything from posts and Stories to ads and messages. While a single hub sounds like a great idea, the execution left many creators feeling lost. Workflows changed, familiar layouts disappeared, and what was once a straightforward process now requires navigating a more complex interface. If you've been feeling frustrated or confused, you are definitely not alone. The good news is that all the core functionality is still there, it just lives in a new home.

How to Upload Reels from Meta Business Suite (The New Way)

Ready to get your Reels scheduled from your computer? This is the new workflow. Follow these steps, and you'll get the hang of it in no time.

Step 1: Get into Meta Business Suite

First things first, you need to access the dashboard.

• Go to business.facebook.com in your web browser.
• Log in with the Facebook account connected to your Instagram Business or Creator account.
• Once you're in, make sure the correct account is selected in the top-left corner, especially if you manage multiple accounts or business pages.

This is your new central command center for everything related to Facebook and Instagram.

Step 2: Start a New Reel

From the main dashboard or the left-hand navigation menu, find the "Create Reel" button. Meta sometimes updates its UI, but it's usually in one of these locations:

• On the Home Page: There's often a prominent "Create Reel" button in the main content creation section.
• In the Content or Planner Tab: Click on "Planner" or "Content" from the left sidebar. From there, you'll see a blue "Create" button in the top right. Click that and select "Create Reel" from the dropdown menu.

A new window will pop up. At the top of this window, you'll see "Post to". Here, you can select whether you want to post your Reel to your Instagram account, your Facebook page, or both.

Step 3: Upload and Fine-Tune Your Video

Now for the main event. Click the "Add video" button to upload your Reel file from your computer. Your video should be in a 9:16 aspect ratio to avoid unwanted cropping. It supports both MOV and MP4 formats.

Once your video uploads, you'll have a few modest editing options:

• Trim: You can trim the beginning and the end of your video. This is handy for shortening your intro or outro.
• Audio: Meta offers a library of licensed music. Click "Audio" and search or browse for a track. A quick warning: the sound library is significantly more limited than what's available in the Instagram app, so you may not find the trending sound you are looking for.
• Crop: If your video isn't in the correct 9:16 format, you can use the cropping tool to fix it. Best practice is to edit the original video to 9:16 beforehand to avoid any loss of quality.

Step 4: Craft Your Brilliant Caption and #Hashtags

Your visuals are ready, so it's time for the words. In the "Reel Details" section, write your Instagram caption. Take advantage of this space to grab attention, add value with tips or entertainment, and encourage engagement. If you are also posting to Facebook, Meta lets you write two separate captions, enabling you to make smaller tweaks in tone on the platform and hashtags on your post so that it is better adapted to Facebook.

• Hashtags on Instagram: Instagram is a great source for hashtags to help new people find you. Use a combination of niche and broader hashtags that are relevant to your content. You can insert them here in the description section or in a first comment after the post is published.
• Collaborators: If you work with another account or brand, click on "Invite Collaborator" and enter their Instagram username. They will receive an invitation on Instagram. Once they accept, the post will appear on both of your profiles and be shown to followers of both accounts.

Step 5: Decide on Your Thumbnail and Share Settings

The cover image (or "thumbnail") is your choice:

• Choose from Video: Simply drag the slider to the frame of your video you want to use as your thumbnail.
• Upload Image: For a more polished look, you can upload a custom cover image directly from your computer. It is always best to do this, as it gives a more professional appearance on the feed page.

You can see the "Show in feed" checkbox by default. Keep this box checked because it allows your video to appear not only in the Reels tab but also on the main Instagram feed for higher visibility.

Step 6: Schedule a Post or Share Now

It's time to choose how you want it to go live. You have a few different choices:

• Share now: Click "Share" if you want your Reels to be published immediately.
• Schedule: If you're a planner or want to post at a specific peak time, this option is best. When you click "Schedule," a calendar and time picker will pop up. Choose the date and time when your Reels will go live. Meta will suggest a couple of "active times," but it's important to use your own insights on when most of your followers are online.
• Save as draft: Use this option if you're not completely ready to post but want to come back to it later.

Once a time is selected and "Schedule" is clicked, everything is set, and your post is now in the queue!

Advanced Tips on Scheduling and Using the Meta Business Suite

Just knowing how to post is only half the battle. Here are a couple of recommendations you should consider for your scheduling strategy:

Complete your principal editing before uploading anything.

The editing tools in the Meta Business Suite are quite basic. They allow for making simple changes but lack the capabilities of a full-fledged editing suite. For the highest quality, most of your editing (like adding subtitles and transitions) should be done in a separate program before you upload.

Be careful when choosing audio.

Meta's Media Library audio selection can be tricky. Trending sounds are often protected by copyright, and the library is limited to music they have licenses for. This protects you from copyright claims but means you likely won't find the viral audio you're looking for. If you have a specific sound in mind, it is better to add it to your video during editing, ensuring you have the right to use it.

Use the preview option to your advantage.

The Meta Business Suite preview option is invaluable. It allows you to see how your post will look before it goes live. Use it to double-check that both your thumbnail and captions look good in both the main feed and Reels feed.

Plan ahead with the calendar feature.

A big advantage of the business suite is its "Planner Tab" for planning. It provides a calendar view of all your scheduled content, allowing you to spot gaps, plan campaigns, and ensure consistency.

General Limitations and Considerations When Using Meta Business Suite

While Meta Business Suite is a useful tool on the PC for posting to Reels, there are a few common limitations to be aware of, especially for creators:

• Limited features: Many popular trends depend on specific text, effects, or stickers that are not yet available in the Business Suite. This means you may need to manually adjust posts natively in the app.
• Performance issues: Meta Business Suite can be slow to load or crash unexpectedly. Posting can be a pain if you've already posted something and it fails to upload.
• Complex interface: Some creators find the interface more complex compared to Creator Studio. It can sometimes be hard to navigate quickly.

Final Thoughts

Summing up, although Creator Studio is gone, you can still plan Reels with Meta Business Suite. It takes a little getting used to the new layout, but all the core functionality you need for planning is there. Just follow the steps above to get your content up and running smoothly.

We know that jumping between platforms and changing workflows takes time, which can be frustrating. That's why we built Postbase. We aim to bridge the gap between video creation and posting, so you can focus on your content without worrying about connectivity issues.