Can You Schedule Posts with Buffer via API?

Can you schedule posts with Buffer via API?

Quick Answer: Yes. Buffer provides a REST API that supports creating, scheduling, and updating posts across connected social profiles. The API requires an OAuth access token and supports Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and other connected networks. Buffer for Business plans include API access; Free plans do not.

Scheduling Posts with the Buffer API

Buffer's API enables programmatic post scheduling, useful for custom dashboards, bulk uploads from internal tools, or integration into content pipelines.

API Basics

Base URL: https://api.bufferapp.com/1/
Authentication: OAuth 2.0 with access tokens
Format: REST, JSON responses
Rate limit: documented in Buffer developer portal

Common Endpoints

Create a Scheduled Post

POST /updates/create.json

Required parameters:

profile_ids[]: Array of profile IDs to post to
text: Post content
scheduled_at: Unix timestamp (optional — defaults to next queue slot)
media: Image or video attachment (optional)

List Scheduled Updates

GET /profiles/:id/updates/pending.json

Update a Scheduled Post

POST /updates/:id/update.json

Delete a Scheduled Post

POST /updates/:id/destroy.json

Plan Requirements

Free plan: No API access
Essentials ($6/month): No API access
Team ($12/month): API access included
Agency plans: API access with higher rate limits

Alternative: Buffer Zapier and Make Integrations

For teams that do not want to write code, Buffer has official Zapier and Make integrations that call the API under the hood:

Trigger: New row in Google Sheets → Add post to Buffer queue
Trigger: New blog post published → Share on Buffer
Trigger: Scheduled time → Pull from content database

Social Network Limitations

Each connected network enforces its own API limits and content rules:

Twitter/X: 280-character limit, rate limits, media size rules
LinkedIn: Character limits, link preview rules
Instagram: Business accounts only, media required
Facebook: Page admin access required

Sample Use Cases

Content calendar in Airtable pushes scheduled posts to Buffer
CMS publishes new article and schedules promotional posts automatically
Internal dashboard for marketing team to bulk-schedule across profiles
Integration with analytics tools for post performance retrieval