Instagram

Instagram is fully supported in Outstand through the Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) model via Meta's Instagram Graph API. This allows you to use your own Meta app credentials to connect Instagram Business or Creator accounts and publish photos, videos, and Reels through Outstand's unified API.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

A Meta (Facebook) Developer account
An Instagram Business or Creator account (personal accounts cannot be used for posting via API)
Access to your Facebook Page linked to your Instagram account
Basic understanding of Meta's Instagram Graph API

Note: Instagram Business accounts can be managed by multiple users and are designed for social media management tools. Creator accounts are primarily for influencers. Convert your personal account to a Business or Creator account before proceeding.

Step 1: Create a Meta Developer Account

If you don't already have one:

Go to developers.facebook.com
Click Get Started or My Apps in the top right
Sign in with your Facebook account
Complete your developer profile by verifying your identity

Step 2: Create a New App

Navigate to developers.facebook.com/apps
Click Create App
Select your app type:
- Choose Business if you're managing social media for a business
- Instagram integration is most commonly used with Business apps
Fill in the required details:
- App Display Name: Your application name (e.g., "My Instagram Manager")
- App Contact Email: Your email address
- Business Account: Select or create a Business Account (required for Instagram API)

Step 3: Add Instagram Product to Your App

After creating your app, you'll see the Add Products to Your App page
Find Instagram in the list of available products
Click Set Up next to Instagram
Accept the required permissions and terms

If you don't see Instagram:

Ensure you have a Meta Business Account
Verify your app type supports Instagram integration
Some regions may have limited Instagram API access

Step 4: Configure Basic Settings

Navigate to Settings → Basic in your app dashboard
Fill in the required fields:
- App Name: Confirm or update your app name
- App Domain: Your website domain
- Privacy Policy URL: Link to your privacy policy (required)
- Terms of Service URL: Link to your terms of service
- App Icon: Upload a 1024x1024px app icon
- Category: Select "Business" or "Utility"
Click Save Changes

Step 5: Connect Your Instagram Business Account

Before you can use Instagram posting features, you need to connect your Instagram account:

Go to Settings → Basic in your app dashboard
Scroll down to the Instagram section
Click Add or Remove Instagram Accounts
Follow the prompts to connect your Instagram Business or Creator account
You may be asked to connect a Facebook Page - this is required for Instagram Business accounts

Note: Your Instagram account must be a Business or Creator account. You cannot use a personal Instagram account with the API. Convert your account if necessary through Instagram settings.

Step 6: Configure OAuth Settings

Scroll to Basic Settings → Add Platform
Select Website from the platform options
Enter your Site URL (required for OAuth redirects)
Add Valid OAuth Redirect URIs:
- For production: Your Outstand OAuth callback URL (contact support for the correct URL)

Step 7: Add Required Permissions

Go to Products → Instagram → Tools
You'll need to request the following permissions:
- instagram_basic - Basic Instagram access (allows reading profile)
- instagram_content_publish - Permission to publish posts and Reels
- pages_show_list - Access to connected Facebook Pages (required for Business accounts)
- pages_read_engagement - Read engagement metrics
Click on each permission to configure:
- Read the permission description
- Accept the required use cases
- Provide detailed explanations for how you'll use the permission

Important: Instagram Content Publishing requires detailed explanations and app review. Be specific about your use case for social media management and scheduling.

Step 8: Submit for App Review

Instagram publishing permissions require Meta App Review:

Go to App Review → Permissions and Features
Click Request next to permissions marked with warnings:
- instagram_content_publish
- pages_read_engagement
For each permission, provide:
- How will you use this permission? Describe your social media management use case
- Why do you need this permission? Explain the business need for posting to Instagram
- Instructions: Provide clear, step-by-step instructions for reviewers to test your app
Submit a screencast showing your app's functionality (required)
Configure Test Users (add yourself or colleagues who can test the app)

Processing Time: App review typically takes 1-7 business days. Instagram publishing review can take longer. Meta may request additional information or clarifications.

Step 9: Obtain Your Credentials

Navigate to Settings → Basic in your app dashboard
You'll find two important values:
- App ID: This is your OAuth Client ID (referred to as "client_key" in the API)
- App Secret: This is your OAuth Client Secret (referred to as "client_secret" in the API)
Click Show next to App Secret to reveal it
Copy both values immediately and store them securely

Security Warning: Your App Secret is sensitive and should never be exposed. Copy it only once and store it securely. You may need to reveal it multiple times, but it's better to save it securely the first time.

Step 10: Add Credentials to Outstand

Once you have your App ID and App Secret, you can add them to Outstand:

Method 1: Using the Dashboard

Log in to Outstand Dashboard
Navigate to Settings → Social Networks
Select Instagram from the dropdown
Enter your App ID in the "Client ID / API Key" field
Enter your App Secret in the "Client Secret / API Secret" field
Click Add Social Network

Method 2: Using the API

curl -X POST https://api.outstand.so/v1/social-networks \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "network": "instagram",
    "client_key": "YOUR_APP_ID_HERE",
    "client_secret": "YOUR_APP_SECRET_HERE"
  }'

Step 11: Connect Your Instagram Account

After adding your credentials:

Ensure your Instagram account is a Business or Creator account
Verify your Instagram account is linked to a Facebook Page
Navigate to Accounts in your Outstand dashboard
Click Connect Account
Select Instagram
Complete the Meta authorization flow
Grant the required permissions (publish content, read engagement, etc.)
Select the Instagram Business account you want to connect
Your Instagram account will appear in your connected accounts list

Note: Since Instagram publishing uses the Instagram Graph API, the connection process goes through Meta's OAuth system, but you'll be managing your Instagram Business account.

Troubleshooting

"Invalid client credentials"

Verify you copied the App ID and App Secret correctly
Ensure there are no extra spaces or newlines in your credentials
Check that your app hasn't been deleted or disabled

"App not approved for this operation"

Instagram publishing requires App Review approval from Meta
Verify that instagram_content_publish permission has been approved
Check your app's review status in Meta Business Suite
You can test in Test Mode before completing App Review

"Redirect URI mismatch"

Verify the redirect URIs in your Meta app settings match exactly with Outstand's callback URL
Redirect URIs are case-sensitive

"Instagram account not a Business account"

Personal Instagram accounts cannot be used with the Graph API
Convert your account to Business or Creator in Instagram app settings
Go to Instagram → Settings → Account → Switch to Professional Account

"Instagram not linked to a Facebook Page"

Instagram Business accounts must be linked to a Facebook Page
Go to Instagram → Settings → Account → Linked Accounts
Link your Facebook Page
You'll need admin access to the Facebook Page

Important Notes

Business Account Required: Only Instagram Business and Creator accounts can use the API. Personal accounts cannot be integrated.
App Review: Instagram publishing requires App Review and approval from Meta. This process can take days to weeks. You can test most features in Test Mode before approval.
Content Types: Instagram Graph API supports:
- Photo posts (single image)
- Carousel posts (multiple images)
- Video posts (up to 60 seconds)
- Reels (through Instagram's publishing API)
- Stories (limited functionality)
Rate Limits: Meta's API has rate limits that vary by operation type. Instagram has stricter limits than some other platforms.
Credential Security: Never share your App Secret or commit it to version control. Use secure credential management for production apps.

Next Steps

Once your Instagram credentials are configured and approved, you can:

Connect your Instagram Business or Creator accounts via the Outstand dashboard
Create Instagram posts using the Posts API
Upload photos and videos for your posts via the Media API
Schedule Instagram content for optimal timing
Monitor engagement through Instagram analytics

Instagram

On this page