How to Schedule Threads Posts via API | SocialRails Documentation

Schedule Threads posts programmatically using the SocialRails API. This guide covers character limits, reply control, media support, threading, code examples, and best practices for automated Threads posting.

Character Limits

Posts: 500 characters
Replies: 500 characters
Links: Included in character count but auto-shortened in display
Hashtags: Included in the character count

Supported Content Types

Type	Supported	Notes
Text posts	Yes	Up to 500 characters
Images	Yes	Up to 10 images per post
Videos	Yes	Up to 5 minutes
Carousels	Yes	Up to 10 items (images or videos)
Threads/Replies	Yes	Via `thread` array, same as Twitter

API Example

# Schedule a Threads post
curl -X POST https://socialrails.com/api/v1/posts \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sr_live_YOUR_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "content": "Just launched our new API integration for Threads! Build automated posting workflows in minutes.",
    "platform": "threads",
    "scheduled_for": "2026-03-15T12:00:00Z"
  }'

# Schedule a Threads post with images and reply control
curl -X POST https://socialrails.com/api/v1/posts \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sr_live_YOUR_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "content": "Behind the scenes of our latest feature build",
    "platform": "threads",
    "media": ["MEDIA_KEY_1", "MEDIA_KEY_2"],
    "scheduled_for": "2026-03-15T12:00:00Z",
    "platform_settings": {
      "threads": {
        "reply_control": "everyone"
      }
    }
  }'

Reply Control

Control who can reply to your Threads posts using the reply_control setting in platform settings:

everyone: Anyone can reply to your post (default)
accounts_you_follow: Only accounts you follow can reply
mentioned_only: Only accounts mentioned in the post can reply

# Post with restricted replies
curl -X POST https://socialrails.com/api/v1/posts \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sr_live_YOUR_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "content": "Announcing our Q1 results. Full details on our blog.",
    "platform": "threads",
    "scheduled_for": "2026-03-15T12:00:00Z",
    "platform_settings": {
      "threads": {
        "reply_control": "mentioned_only"
      }
    }
  }'

Threads also supports threading via the thread array, the same way it works on Twitter. Each item in the array becomes a separate post, published as replies in sequence.

# Create a thread on Threads
curl -X POST https://socialrails.com/api/v1/posts \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sr_live_YOUR_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "content": "A thread on why we built SocialRails",
    "platform": "threads",
    "scheduled_for": "2026-03-15T14:00:00Z",
    "thread": [
      "1/ Managing social media across 9 platforms is hard",
      "2/ We built one API to rule them all",
      "3/ Try it free at socialrails.com"
    ]
  }'

Best Practices

Conversational tone: Threads rewards authentic, conversational content over polished marketing copy
Early adoption advantage: The platform is still growing, early consistent posters get higher visibility
Cross-promote from Instagram: Share your Threads posts to Instagram Stories to drive followers
Engage in replies: Reply to comments and other posts, the algorithm favors active participants
Keep it concise: With a 500-character limit, focus on a single clear message per post
Post during peak hours, typically 9am-12pm and 7-9pm in your audience's timezone

Rate Limits

Threads API limits apply in addition to SocialRails rate limits:

250 posts per 24 hours per user
500 replies per 24 hours per user
Media uploads follow Instagram's media limits

SocialRails handles these limits automatically and will retry failed posts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the character limit for Threads posts?

Threads posts are limited to 500 characters. This includes hashtags, mentions, and links. Links are auto-shortened in display but still count toward the character limit.

Does Threads support threading via API?

Yes. You can create threads on Threads using the thread array field, the same way you would on Twitter. Each item in the thread array becomes a separate post, published as replies in sequence. This is ideal for longer-form content that exceeds the 500-character limit.

How do I control who can reply to my Threads post?

Use the reply_control field in platform_settings.threads. Options are 'everyone' (default, anyone can reply), 'accounts_you_follow' (only accounts you follow), and 'mentioned_only' (only accounts mentioned in the post).

What media types does Threads support via API?

Threads supports up to 10 images per post, videos up to 5 minutes long, and carousels with up to 10 items (images or videos). Upload media first via the /api/v1/media/upload endpoint, then include the media keys when creating your post.