Zoho Social opens its tools so other apps can post to social media

Zoho has released the Zoho Social API, a way for other software to schedule and publish social media posts through Zoho Social. Instead of writing a post in one tool and pasting it into another, a business could have its own system send it straight to its social channels. Access is by request only.

What it does

An API is a set of rules that lets one program talk to another. This one lets developers connect their own apps to Zoho Social. Zoho says it uses standard web methods and OAuth 2.0, a common secure sign-in system.

• Schedule and publish posts across connected social channels
• Look up portal, brand and connected channel information
• Manage several brands from a single portal
• Build social publishing into existing marketing or business apps

Which channels work

Zoho lists Facebook Pages, Instagram Professional Accounts, LinkedIn Profiles and Company Pages, X, YouTube, TikTok, Google Business Profile and Pinterest, plus others. An app can also ask which channels a brand has connected before it publishes.

Who it is for

Zoho names a few examples. A company with its own content system could publish from there. Agencies handling many clients could build one dashboard for all of them. Software makers could add social publishing to their own products. Teams could also link planning and approval tools to Zoho Social.

This is not a button for everyday users. Setting it up means registering an application in Zoho's Developer Console and writing code. Most small businesses will need a developer, or a partner who builds integrations.

What is not clear yet

Zoho says the API is available through an access request process for developers, agencies, partners and businesses. Once a request is approved, work can begin. The announcement does not say how long approval takes, who gets approved, or what the API costs. It also does not say whether it is included in current Zoho Social plans.

For now, the practical step is to find out whether your CRM, content tool or agency already plans to use it. If you build your own tools, the request form is on Zoho's Developer Platform.