How to Use Buffer

Buffer schedules social posts across multiple platforms from one queue, so you can plan a week of content in one sitting instead of posting live every day.

Step 1: Connect your channels

Link Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Facebook, TikTok, and other accounts under Channels. Each one authenticates separately through that platform's own login.

Step 2: Set your posting schedule

Define preferred posting times per channel. Once set, adding a post to the queue automatically drops it into the next open slot instead of making you pick an exact time every time.

Step 3: Customize posts per platform

Buffer lets you tailor the same base post's text and image differently for each connected network before scheduling, rather than forcing identical copy everywhere.

Step 4: Review in queue or calendar view

The queue and calendar views show everything upcoming, and you can drag posts to reorder or reschedule without deleting and re-adding them.

Step 5: Check Analytics

Buffer's Analytics tab breaks down engagement per post, so you can see what actually landed rather than just confirming it went out.

Where the free plan bites

The free plan limits how many channels you can connect and how many posts you can queue per channel, and features like carousel/multi-image posts and deeper analytics are usually gated to a paid plan.