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Using Images in Social AI

Creating visually engaging posts is key to improving social media performance. This guide explains how to use royalty-free images, AI-generated graphics, carousels, Instagram Stories, and more — all within Social AI.

Options for Adding Images​

1. Royalty-Free Images via Pixabay​

Easily search and add royalty-free images directly in the composer.

Steps:

  1. Navigate to Social AI > Create
  2. Scroll to the Media section and click Add Media
  3. Select Pixabay
  4. Search using keywords
  5. Choose and insert an image into your post

Adding Pixabay images in Social AI

2. AI-Generated Images​

Generate professional images using AI.

Image generation limits:

  • You can generate up to 50 images per day.
  • Per-minute generation is managed dynamically based on API capacity.
  • These limits apply in Social AI on both web and mobile.

How to Generate:

  1. Click the AI icon in the post composer
  2. Select Image Generation
  3. Enter a detailed description
  4. Choose your preferred style
  5. Review and insert the result

Create image with AI in Social AI

Features:

  • Custom prompts and style options
  • Brand-consistent output
  • Multiple variations
  • Fast and professional results

Best Practices:

  • Be specific with descriptions
  • Align output with brand aesthetics
  • Experiment with multiple prompts

Facebook and Instagram may show an AI info label on posts that use AI-generated images. See Why some Facebook and Instagram posts show an AI info label.

3. Upload Your Own Media​

Drag and drop files or select from your device to upload images or videos.

Supported Image Formats: PNG, JPEG, GIF

Create multi-image or multi-video posts for Instagram.

Steps:

  1. Go to Posts > Create > Post
  2. Choose Instagram as a platform
  3. Upload up to 10 images/videos
  4. Rearrange items with drag & drop
  5. Add a caption and schedule or publish

Best Practices:

  • Use a strong first image
  • Maintain consistent style
  • Tell a visual story

5. Instagram Stories​

Create short-lived vertical content for Instagram.

Steps:

  1. Click Create > Story
  2. Select Instagram accounts
  3. Upload a vertical 9:16 image or video
  4. Choose Publish Now, Schedule, or Save as Draft

Requirements:

  • Images: JPG, PNG (max 4MB)
  • Videos: MP4, MOV (max 30MB, 15 sec max)

Tips:

  • Keep content engaging and vertical
  • Include a CTA
  • Showcase behind-the-scenes or authentic moments

Cropping & Optimization​

When uploading, ensure your media meets aspect ratio requirements. If not, you’ll be prompted to crop using:

  • Freeform
  • Square (1:1)
  • Vertical (4:5)
  • Horizontal (1.91:1)

This ensures your images appear correctly across platforms.

Why some Facebook and Instagram posts show an AI info label​

Meta, which runs Facebook and Instagram, adds an AI info label to images it identifies as made or edited with AI. Meta adds the label, not Social AI.

Why Meta adds the label​

Meta labels AI content so people know how an image was made. Most AI image tools, including the image generator in Social AI, embed industry-standard "AI generated" information in the image file. Meta reads that information when your post publishes and adds the label. Meta labels AI content instead of removing it, so labeled posts stay published.

Which posts get the label​

Meta labels the image, not the words in your post.

  • AI-generated images: Posts that use an image created with AI, including images from the Social AI image generator, can get the label.
  • Captions: Post text is never labeled, even when AI helped write it.
  • Your own photos: Photos you upload don't get the label, unless you edited them with a generative AI tool, such as Generative Fill in Photoshop. Those tools add the same AI information to the file. Standard edits like cropping, filters, and color correction don't.
  • Royalty-free stock images: Stock photos don't get the label, unless the stock image is itself AI-generated. Pixabay marks AI-generated images, so choose photos that aren't marked as AI.

Why the label can't be removed​

  • No setting in Social AI controls the label. Meta adds it based on the image file.
  • Meta applies the label when the post publishes. Editing the caption afterward doesn't remove it.
  • To publish without the label, create a new post with your own photo or a stock photo that isn't AI-generated.
warning

Don't use tools that strip AI information from image files to avoid the label. It defeats the purpose of the label, and Meta requires people to disclose realistic AI-made video and audio and may apply penalties when they don't.

Why AI-assisted posts are still worth publishing​

The label describes how an image was made, not whether your post is useful.

  • Your message drives results. Your offer, local details, and timing are what bring customers in, and those come from your business.
  • Consistency matters most. Posting regularly does more for your social presence than any single image. AI helps you keep a steady schedule without writing every post from scratch.
  • Pick the right image for the job. Use AI images for illustrations, seasonal promotions, and tip graphics. Use your own photos for your team, your location, your products, and real customer results, where people expect to see the real thing.

FAQs​

Can I add GIFs to social media posts?

Yes! You can upload .gif files directly or embed from Giphy using HTML iframe code.

  1. On giphy.com, click on the selected GIF.

  2. Once you click on the selected GIF, you will be directed to the GIF detail page.

  3. Click "< > Embed" located on the right-hand side of the GIF.

  4. From there, you will be presented with two embed options via the GIPHY Embed Player:

  5. Select the "Responsive Off" switch for the iframe embed version. Select the "Responsive On" switch for the HTML5 embed version

  6. Paste the code into your post and publish!

To post the Giphy:

At the beginning, <html> <body>. Include the "embed code" of the giphy you want to add to the post. Add /html> and /body> at the end.

Here's an example:

<html>
<body>

<div style="width:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:100%;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/p2J2OMrBI6ErC" width="100%" height="100%" style="position:absolute" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/zootopia-p2J2OMrBI6ErC">via GIPHY</a></p>

</html>
</body>
Can I post multiple images to Instagram?

Yes. Use the carousel feature to upload up to 10 images or videos in a single Instagram post.

Why does Facebook reduce image quality?

Facebook compresses all uploaded images. To preserve image quality:

  • Save your image as a JPEG using the sRGB color profile
  • Keep the image width 2048px or less
Can I post photos to multiple platforms at once?

Yes. You can select multiple platforms in the composer to post simultaneously. Supported platforms include:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • X
  • Google Business Profile
What image formats are supported?
  • PNG
  • JPEG
  • GIF
What's the best image ratio for all platforms?

Square (1:1) images offer the most compatibility and consistency across all social networks.

Should I review AI-generated images?

Yes. Always review and adjust AI-generated images to:

  • Match your brand voice and visual identity
  • Ensure the image aligns with your message
  • Maintain professional quality
Which AI model generates images?

Social AI uses GPT Image 1 to generate images.

Why does my Facebook or Instagram post show an "AI info" label?

Meta adds the label when it detects an image was made with AI, using information built into the image file. Only the image is labeled, not your caption, so posts with your own photos or non-AI stock photos don't get it. You can't remove the label from a published post, and labeled posts stay published. See Why some Facebook and Instagram posts show an AI info label for details.