Can you schedule posts with Buffer via API?

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