How to Use Metricool: Automate Content Strategy in 2026

Quick Start

This guide covers every Metricool feature:

• Getting Started — Create your account and connect each social network
• How to Use Social Media Planner — Queue posts for every connected social network from one screen
• How to Use Looker Studio Integration — Push your Metricool data into a live Looker Studio dashboard
• How to Use Social Media Reports — Export client-ready PDF or PPT reports in two clicks
• How to Use Link-in-Bio Tool — Build a SmartLinks page that tracks every click you send
• How to Use Social Media Assistant — Get AI caption ideas and polished text inside the editor
• How to Use Social Media Content Approval Tool — Send drafts for review before anything goes live
• How to Use Hashtag Tracker — Follow hashtag reach and keep only the tags that perform
• How to Use Calendar — See a month of scheduled posts in one drag-and-drop view
• How to Use Social Inbox — Answer comments and messages from every platform in one place

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives

Why Trust This Guide

I have run client accounts through Metricool for about fourteen months.

Every step here comes from real use, not a press kit.

Metricool is a complete social media management tool for planning, publishing, and measuring.

Most people only ever touch the calendar and stop there.

This tutorial walks through every panel, including the ones buried in settings.

Learning how to use Metricool properly takes an afternoon, not a week.

Metricool Tutorial

This How to Use Metricool tutorial moves feature by feature, from your first day to advanced reporting.

Metricool

Plan, publish, and measure every social network from one dashboard. Metricool covers scheduling content, analytics, competitor tracking, and ad campaigns on Facebook, Google, and TikTok. The forever free plan needs no card to start.

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Getting Started with Metricool

Do this once and every feature below opens up.

It takes roughly three minutes.

Here is what my own setup looked like:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Go to the Metricool site and click Start for free.

Enter your email and set a password.

✓ Checkpoint: A confirmation email lands in your inbox within a minute.

Step 2: Connect Your Social Network Profiles

Open brand settings and link each social media account you manage.

Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X, TikTok, a YouTube channel, and your Google Business Profile all connect here.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Each connected profile shows a green status dot.

Step 3: Install the Mobile App

Download the Metricool mobile app on Android or iOS.

Log in with the same username and password you just created.

The app carries the calendar, the inbox, and a support chat.

How to Use Metricool Social Media Planner

Social Media Planner lets you queue posts for every connected social network from one screen.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the Planning Tab

Click Planning in the left sidebar of your Metricool account.

Then hit the blue plus circle or choose Create new post.

Step 2: Write Once, Adapt Everywhere

Draft one publication, then adapt the text for each social network.

Metricool shows character limits and media rules per platform as you type.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your draft shows a separate preview per network.

Step 3: Pick a Time and Publish

Set the date, or let auto publish send it while you sleep.

Check each network’s own requirements before you confirm the slot.

How to Use Metricool Looker Studio Integration

Looker Studio Integration lets you push your Metricool data into a live Looker Studio dashboard.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Grab Your Connector

Open Analytics, then choose the Looker Studio connector for your brand.

Step 2: Authorise the Data Source

Sign in with Google and approve the third party data connection.

Pick which social media accounts feed the report.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Metricool appears in your Looker data source list.

Step 3: Build Your Dashboard

Drag Metricool metrics onto the canvas like any other Looker field.

Follower growth, reach, and engagement all arrive as ready fields.

Set the refresh schedule so clients always find current numbers.

How to Use Metricool Social Media Reports

Social Media Reports lets you export client-ready PDF or PPT reports in two clicks.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Choose Your Date Range

Open Analytics and set the period you want to cover.

Compare against the previous period to show movement, not just totals.

Step 2: Select Networks and Sections

Tick the platforms and blocks you want inside the file.

Website traffic and blog data can sit next to social numbers.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: A preview of the report renders before download.

Step 3: Download as PDF or PPT

Hit export and share the finished file with your client.

PDF suits archives; PPT suits meetings where you talk through slides.

How to Use Metricool Link-in-Bio Tool

Link-in-Bio Tool lets you build a SmartLinks page that tracks every click you send.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open SmartLinks

Find SmartLinks in the sidebar and start a new page.

Name it after the campaign so the click data stays readable later.

Step 2: Add Your Links and Branding

Drop in buttons, colours, and a photo that matches your brand.

Every link gets its own click tracking.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your page preview updates as you add each button.

Step 3: Publish and Paste the URL

Copy the SmartLinks address into your Instagram or TikTok bio.

Click-through rates then appear beside your normal social media analytics.

How to Use Metricool Social Media Assistant

Social Media Assistant lets you get AI caption ideas and polished text inside the editor.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the Post Editor

Start creating a post, then click the assistant icon above the text box.

Step 2: Describe What You Need

Ask it for caption ideas, a hook, or a shorter version.

It can also repurpose a long blog post into platform-specific updates.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Suggested captions appear under the text box.

Step 3: Edit Before You Approve

Trim the output so it still sounds like you.

The assistant is quick at first drafts and poor at your own voice.

How to Use Metricool Social Media Content Approval Tool

Social Media Content Approval Tool lets you send drafts for review before anything goes live.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Turn On Approvals

Open brand settings and decide who validates content before publishing.

Agencies usually give the client reviewer rights and nothing more.

Step 2: Send a Draft to Review

Upload your post, then choose Send to review instead of scheduling.

Reviewers get a notification with the full preview.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The post status changes to Pending review.

Step 3: Approve or Request Changes

Approved posts drop straight back into the queue.

Rejected ones stay as drafts with the reviewer’s comment attached.

How to Use Metricool Hashtag Tracker

Hashtag Tracker lets you follow hashtag reach and keep only the tags that perform.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Add a Hashtag to Track

Open the hashtag section and type the tag you care about.

Start with three or four tags rather than twenty.

Step 2: Watch the Numbers Build

Metricool logs reach, posts, and top accounts using that tag.

Give it a few days before you judge anything.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The tag appears in your tracked list with a reach graph.

Step 3: Keep the Winners

Drop tags with flat reach and reuse the ones pulling traffic.

Save the survivors as a preset so you stop retyping them.

How to Use Metricool Calendar

Calendar lets you see a month of scheduled posts in one drag-and-drop view.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Switch to Calendar View

Open Planning and pick the monthly calendar instead of the list.

Gaps in your week become obvious the moment you see the grid.

Step 2: Filter What You See

Filter by social network, post status, or notes to cut the noise.

The content view also previews your Instagram feed grid.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Only the filtered posts stay on screen.

Step 3: Drag Posts to New Slots

Move a post to a better day without opening it.

Line drafts up against the best times heat map before you commit.

How to Use Metricool Social Inbox

Social Inbox lets you answer comments and messages from every platform in one place.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Connect Your Profiles

Link each account you want to monitor in brand settings.

Some networks limit inbox access, so check what each one allows.

Step 2: Open the Unified Inbox

Every comment and message lands in one thread list.

Filter by network so nothing sits unanswered.

✓ Checkpoint: Unread threads sit at the top of the list.

Step 3: Reply and Close the Loop

Answer from Metricool and the reply posts natively.

Mark threads as done so a teammate does not answer twice.

Metricool Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After fourteen months inside this tool, these are the habits that stuck.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Hidden Features Most People Miss

• Best times to post: Metricool reads your real engagement data and marks the best times on a heat map.
• Competitor tracking: Add rival profiles and compare growth against your own numbers.
• Ir arriba: The Spanish interface labels its back-to-top control this way, handy on long analytics pages.

Video walkthroughs from creators like Anniston Ward cover the same panels if you prefer to press play.

Metricool Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Posting the same text everywhere

Mistake #2: Ignoring platform requirements

Mistake #3: Judging results after one week

Metricool Troubleshooting

Problem: A scheduled post failed to publish

Cause: The platform token expired, or the format broke a network rule.

Fix: Reconnect the profile in brand settings, then reschedule the post.

Auto publish only works where the platform grants direct publishing rights.

Everything else sends a phone notification instead, which the mobile app handles.

Problem: Analytics show no data

Cause: New connections backfill history slowly, so the first day often looks empty.

Fix: Wait twenty-four hours, then refresh the analytics tab.

Real time numbers appear once the platform finishes syncing.

Website and blog data can take a little longer than social profiles.

Problem: Instagram will not auto publish

Cause: Your account is personal, not a business or creator profile.

Fix: Convert the profile, relink it, and the option unlocks.

Reels and carousels have their own rules, so test one post before trusting a full queue.

📌 Note: If none of these fix your issue, contact Metricool support.

What is Metricool?

Metricool is an all-in-one social media management tool for planning, managing, and analysing your online presence.

It covers social platforms, websites, and ad campaigns in one account.

Think of it as a control room rather than a posting app.

Watch this quick overview:

It includes these key features:

• Social Media Planner: Schedule social media content across every connected profile.
• Looker Studio Integration: Send your numbers into custom Google dashboards.
• Social Media Reports: Download performance data as PDF or PPT files.
• Link-in-Bio Tool: Customisable SmartLinks pages with built-in click analytics.
• Social Media Assistant: AI help for captions, hooks, and repurposed content.
• Social Media Content Approval Tool: Review and sign-off flow before anything publishes.
• Hashtag Tracker: Reach and performance data for the tags you use.
• Calendar: A drag-and-drop month view of your scheduled posts.
• Social Inbox: One place for comments and messages from every platform.

Ad campaign management covers Facebook, Google, and TikTok ads from the same screen.

For a full review, see our Metricool review.

Metricool Pricing

Here is what Metricool costs in 2026:

Free trial: Yes — paid plans include a trial, and the forever free plan needs no card.

Money-back guarantee: No formal refund window, so downgrade before renewal.

Annual billing shaves the monthly rate if you already know the tool suits you.

The gap that matters most is auto publish, which the free plan keeps locked.

💰 Best Value: Starter — it unlocks auto publish and deeper analytics at a fair price.

Metricool vs Alternatives

So how does Metricool hold up against the rest of the field?

Most rivals beat it on one thing and lose on price.

Quick picks:

• Best overall: Metricool — analytics, scheduling, and ads in one account.
• Best budget: Buffer — the cheapest way to keep a queue running.
• Best for beginners: Buffer — you can learn the whole interface in ten minutes.
• Best for agencies: Agorapulse — inbox and approval tooling built for teams.

🎯 Metricool Alternatives

Looking for Metricool alternatives? Here are the top options:

• 🚀 Sprout Social: Deep listening and reporting for big teams with the budget to match.
• 💰 Socialpilot: Strong bulk upload and client management at an agency-friendly rate.
• 🏢 Sendible: Built for agencies that need approvals and white-label client dashboards.
• 🧠 Content Studio: Content discovery and AI writing for teams short on ideas.
• ⚡ Heropost: Flat-rate posting across many accounts with no per-profile fees.
• 📊 Agorapulse: Best-in-class social inbox with proper team assignment and labels.
• 💼 Zoho Social: Neat fit if your CRM and helpdesk already live inside Zoho.
• 👶 Buffer: The simplest queue on the market, with a generous free tier.
• 🔒 Sprinklr: Heavy enterprise suite covering care, marketing, and compliance.
• 🎨 Later: Grid preview and visual planning aimed squarely at Instagram creators.
• 🎯 Loomly: Post ideas and briefs that guide less experienced content teams.
• 🔥 Blaze: AI-first tool that turns one idea into a week of posts.

For the full list, see our Metricool alternatives guide.

⚔️ Metricool Compared

Here is how Metricool stacks up against each competitor:

• Metricool vs Sprout Social: Sprout wins on enterprise depth; Metricool wins on price and simplicity.
• Metricool vs Socialpilot: Socialpilot handles bulk queues better; Metricool gives richer analytics.
• Metricool vs Sendible: Sendible suits big client rosters; Metricool is cheaper per brand.
• Metricool vs Content Studio: Content Studio leads on discovery; Metricool leads on measurement.
• Metricool vs Heropost: Heropost is cheaper at volume; Metricool has far better analytics.
• Metricool vs Agorapulse: Agorapulse owns inbox depth; Metricool costs a fraction of it.
• Metricool vs Zoho Social: Zoho suits existing Zoho shops; Metricool works better standalone.
• Metricool vs Buffer: Buffer is easier to learn; Metricool gives more data per dollar.
• Metricool vs Sprinklr: Sprinklr fits global teams; Metricool fits everyone else.
• Metricool vs Later: Later is prettier for visual planning; Metricool covers more networks.
• Metricool vs Loomly: Loomly guides new teams; Metricool serves data-led ones better.
• Metricool vs Blaze: Blaze automates creation; Metricool automates scheduling and reporting.

Start Using Metricool Now

You now know how to use Metricool across every major feature:

• ✅ Social Media Planner
• ✅ Looker Studio Integration
• ✅ Social Media Reports
• ✅ Link-in-Bio Tool
• ✅ Social Media Assistant
• ✅ Social Media Content Approval Tool
• ✅ Hashtag Tracker
• ✅ Calendar
• ✅ Social Inbox

Next step: Pick one feature and try it today.

Most people start with the Social Media Planner.

Give it five minutes and you will improve your online presence faster than guessing.

Then build the habit of checking analytics every Monday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find all the answers to the questions people ask most.

How does Metricool work?

You connect each social network to one account. Metricool then handles scheduling content, publishing, and analytics from a single dashboard, with reports you can share.

How to use Metricool to schedule posts?

Open Planning, click the blue plus button, write your post, adapt it per network, then pick a date. Auto publish sends it without you being online.

Is Metricool easy to use?

Yes. Most users find the calendar and post editor within their first day. Analytics take a little longer, since there is simply more data to read.

Can I use Metricool on my phone?

Yes. The Metricool mobile app runs on Android and iOS. You can create posts, check scheduled posts, reply to messages, and open support chat.

Is Metricool actually free?

Yes. Metricool offers a forever free plan for one brand with limited features. Team collaboration and deeper analytics sit behind the paid tiers.