Connect Instagram
Instagram only allows publishing from a Business or Creator account that is linked to a Facebook Page. A personal account cannot be posted to by any tool — that is Instagram's rule, and it is the single most common reason a connection fails.
A window opens on the network's own site. You sign in there and approve access — nothing to copy or paste.
Before you start
- An Instagram Business or Creator account. A personal account will not work.
- A Facebook Page linked to that Instagram account.
- You must be an admin of that Facebook Page.
Step by step
- 1Switch Instagram to a professional account
In the Instagram app: Settings and privacy, then Account type and tools, then Switch to professional account. Choose Business or Creator. It is free and reversible.
- 2Link it to a Facebook Page
Still in the Instagram app, open Settings, then Accounts Centre, and connect the Facebook Page you manage. Instagram's publishing works through this link, so without it there is nothing for us to post to.
- 3Open Accounts in Social Publish
Go to Accounts in the left menu and press Connect Account, then choose Instagram.
- 4Sign in with Facebook
A Facebook window opens. Sign in as the person who administers the Page — not necessarily the Instagram login.
- 5Leave every permission ticked
Facebook shows a list of permissions with tick boxes. Leave all of them on. Unticking even one is why a connection succeeds today and publishing fails tomorrow with an unhelpful error.
- 6Choose the account
Pick the Instagram account you want to publish to. It now appears on your Accounts page.
If something goes wrong
The account is still personal, or it is not linked to a Facebook Page you administer. Fix both in the Instagram app, then connect again.
A permission was unticked on the Facebook consent screen. Remove the account, connect it again, and leave every tick box on.
Instagram allows at most 10 items in one carousel. Split the post.
Instagram access expires. Reconnect the account from the Accounts page.