I have a question for anyone who knows about video editing. Does anyone know how I can place a feature/cover image on a video I edit on either Adobe or Final Cut Pro X? We are using Coschedule to get our content to the social media platforms and trying to eliminate as many posting steps as possible (i.e. going to instagram just to upload a feature image on a video). Any suggestions would greatly help. Thank you!

Garrett Van Hess

Hi Garrett,

Just popping in to say that this feature is available on Later as of August 2023. Prior to that time, I believe it was a limitation of Instagram’s Partner API that didn’t allow for customization of the cover image.

Thank you for this detail, this will help me when we are ready to get the video up on instagram. I’m more so wondering how to get the cover/feature image on the video utilizing Final Cut Pro X or the Adobe video software. Any ideas would help greatly. Thank you!

Hi Garrett,

I don’t think it’s possible to set a Reel cover like this via third-party editing software. Re: choosing an Instagram Reels cover:

If you don’t choose one, Instagram will automatically select a thumbnail from your video. Keep in mind, Instagram picks at random.

So even if you had a featured image at the beginning of your Reel when editing it, Instagram might select a different still frame when it is scheduled/posted if a featured image isn’t specified within the Instagram app or scheduling software. Does that make sense?

Does that answer your question? I might be misunderstanding! I’ll also loop in our Social Media Expert for her opinion.

Hey Garrett,

Emily is right that it’s hard to predict what Instagram will choose as a thumbnail/cover when you’re scheduling with a third-party app. It is something that I keep testing out, though. I will come back here if I find that it’s changed.

Thank you, Emily!

Thank you for the help, Andrea.