Channels
Connect social accounts, check publishing readiness, and reconnect an account when Beacon requests it.
A channel is a social account that you connect to Beacon.
Connect an account
- Open Channels.
- Select Add an account.
- Choose a platform.
- Sign in to the platform or enter the details it asks for.
- Return to Beacon.
Signing in does not always mean that the channel is ready. Beacon also checks the account, its access, and whether it can publish.
X publishing starts on Starter. You need your own X developer app, and X bills that app for API use. If your Workspace moves to Free, Beacon stops scheduled X posts before sending them. You can use X again after you upgrade.
Use your own Facebook app
You can connect Facebook Pages with an App ID and App secret from your own Meta app. Follow Connect Facebook with your own app to create the app, configure access, and save its credentials.
Your personal Facebook account authorizes Page access. This connection cannot publish to your personal timeline.
Use your own Instagram app
Follow Connect Instagram with your own app to configure Instagram Login and save your app credentials. This connection requires an Instagram Business or Creator account.
Read channel groups
Beacon groups connected accounts by their current state:
- Ready to publish
- Starter plan required for an X account on Free
- Draft only
- Expiring soon
- Reconnect needed
- Disabled
- Other connection issues
Draft only means that Beacon cannot publish directly to that account.
Reconnect an account
- Open the affected channel.
- Select Reconnect.
- Complete the platform sign-in steps.
- Confirm the new Beacon status.
Use Support required when Beacon cannot provide a safe reconnect action.
X post length
Beacon reads the account's subscription when you connect or reconnect X. Basic, Premium, and PremiumPlus accounts can write up to 25,000 characters. Accounts with no confirmed subscription use 280 characters.
Long posts use the same editor and publish action. No switch is required. Reconnect X after a subscription change to update the editor limit. Existing connections use 280 characters until you reconnect.
Each post or thread part has its own limit. X counts links, emoji, and some languages differently. Beacon uses X's weighted character rules.
Beacon checks the subscription again before it sends long copy, including scheduled posts. If X cannot confirm access, Beacon keeps your copy and shows what to do next. An X subscription does not cover the separate cost of publishing through your connected developer app.