To schedule a first comment on Instagram, write the post in SkedCast, add the text in the First comment field and schedule it. When the post goes live, SkedCast posts the comment under it. It works on feed posts, carousels and Reels, not Stories. Keep it to 5 hashtags: Instagram will not post a comment with more.
Key takeaways
- SkedCast posts the first comment under the post as soon as it is live, on feed posts, carousels and Reels.
- Stories cannot be commented on, so a first comment does not apply to them.
- Instagram will not post a comment with more than 5 hashtags, so keep the first comment to 5.
- If the comment cannot be posted, the post stays live and SkedCast reports why.
On this page
Can you schedule a first comment on Instagram?
Yes, with a scheduler that has a first-comment field. Instagram’s own scheduling schedules the post; the comment is a second step that a tool such as SkedCast takes for you once the post is live.
| Tool | Scheduled first comment | Post types |
|---|---|---|
| SkedCast | Yes, posted as soon as the post is live | Feed posts, carousels and Reels |
| Instagram app scheduler | Not offered in Instagram’s help pages | Posts and Reels |
| Meta Business Suite | Not offered in Meta’s help pages | Posts, Reels and Stories |
How do you schedule an Instagram first comment in SkedCast?
The same field works for Facebook Pages and Threads; see how to schedule a Facebook first comment.
Write the post
Create a feed post, carousel or Reel for your Instagram account in the composer.
Add the first comment
Type the comment in the First comment field: hashtags, a credit or a note.
Schedule it
Pick the time; the comment is saved with the post and can be edited until it publishes.
It posts in order
At the time, SkedCast publishes the post, then posts the comment under it.
How many hashtags can an Instagram first comment have?
Five. Instagram’s Help Center says you can use up to 5 tags on a post, and that if you include more than 5 tags on a single photo or video, your comment won’t post. Moving 20 hashtags from the caption to the first comment therefore no longer works; pick the 5 that describe the post best. The Instagram hashtag limit page covers the rule in full.
What happens if the first comment cannot be posted?
The post stays live. The comment is a separate step after publishing, so if it fails, for example because the account was connected without permission to comment, SkedCast keeps the post and reports what happened to the comment, with a reconnect when a permission is missing. A comment requested on a Story is reported as not posted, because Stories cannot be commented on. See the Instagram scheduler for every format.
Sources
FAQ
- Does Instagram let you schedule a first comment natively?
- Instagram’s and Meta’s help pages describe scheduling the post, not a first comment. A scheduler such as SkedCast posts the comment for you once the post is live.
- Can I schedule a first comment on Reels and carousels?
- Yes. SkedCast adds the first comment to feed posts, carousels and Reels. Stories cannot be commented on.
- Can I put 30 hashtags in the first comment?
- No. Instagram’s Help Center says a comment with more than 5 hashtags won’t post, so keep it to 5.
- Does a first comment affect reach?
- There is no published evidence that it does; people use it to keep hashtags or a note out of the caption.
- Can I edit the first comment after scheduling?
- Yes. Until the post publishes, change the first comment in the post’s editor like any other field.