How to Integrate Instagram?

1. Introduction

Integrate Instagram to centralize customer interactions on SaleSmartly. Sync historical comments, direct messages, and real-time chats to manage your Instagram account alongside other channels, streamlining customer service and boosting engagement.

 

2. Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to integrate:

2.1. Switch your Instagram account to a business or creator account 

2.1.1 Switch to a professional account

Open Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ > Click [ More ] to enter [ Settings ] > Click Professional account.

Note: If you don’t have an Instagram account, visit Instagram Help Center to create one.

If you have switched to a professional account, you can skip this step.

2.1.2 Fill in your information

Choose the ‘Creator’ or ‘Business’ account type, fill in the required details, and confirm to activate your professional account.

2.1.3 Mobile users

The mobile switching process is as follows:

a. First, go to your profile and tap the hamburger icon (☰) in the top-right corner.

b. Click Settings > Account

c. Tap the blue text [Get a Free Professional Account] and follow the prompts.

2.2. Link Instagram to a Facebook Page

2.2.1 Open Facebook public page settings

Note: Skip this step if Instagram is already linked to a Facebook Page.

Open your Facebook public page, click [Settings] - [Settings & Privacy] - [Linked Accounts] - [ Instagram ]

 

2.2.2 Link your Instagram account

Select [Linked Account] - [Instagram] - [Connect Account ] - [Connect] - [Confirm].

Note: Check the box for “Allow Instagram Messages in Inbox” to ensure messages reach your platform. Skipping this step will block incoming messages entirely.

2.2.3 Jump to the Instagram official website

Log in to Instagram when prompted to complete the binding process.

2.3. Integrate Instagram with SaleSmartly

2.3.1 Add Instagram

First, click Add Instagram Account.

 

 

2.3.2 Linking Instagram business account

Log into your Facebook account and click Continue as (Your Name) > check the Instagram business account you want to link.

Note: To use Instagram automation, you need to make sure that this account is a business or creator account; if your account has more than 500,000 followers, you must use a business account. If you are not sure how to switch your Instagram account to a business or creator account, you can go to the first step of this document to view the tutorial.

2.3.3 Verify Facebook Page linkage 

Ensure that your Instagram account is linked to a Facebook Page, or the authorization will fail.

Note: If you are not sure how to manage a Facebook Page, you can go to step 2 of this document to view the tutorial.

 

2.3.4 Permissions

Select the permissions SaleSmartly can access (recommended: select all). Click Save > Continue > Got It to complete authorization.

2.3.5 Activate

Return to SaleSmartly’s dashboard. Refresh the page until the Instagram account appears. Click Enable Private Message or Enable Comments to start managing chats.

Note: If the Instagram account doesn’t sync after multiple refreshes, the authorization may have failed.

The reasons for failure may be as follows:

Reauthorize the account and verify settings.

 

Frequently asked questions

1. After integration or multiple refreshes, the account still shows as invalid

Possible Causes:

Solution: Reauthorize the account in SaleSmartly.

 

2. Check if your Instagram integrated account is linked

 

Reason
Verify that your Instagram is already connected to Facebook. Authorization is managed through Facebook, not directly from Instagram.

 

Solution

On your Facebook profile, click the avatar in the top-right corner and go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Accounts Center, or open directly: https://accountscenter.facebook.com/?entry_point=app_settings

In Accounts Center, go to Accounts, or open directly: https://accountscenter.facebook.com/accounts

 

Confirm that your Facebook and Instagram accounts are linked.

 

 

3. Instagram Messages Not Showing in SaleSmartly

Solution ①

Go to your Facebook Page Settings > Advanced Messaging.

Find Instagram Receiver, click Configure, and select SaleSmartly-App.

 

 

 

Ensure that 'Allow access to Instagram messages in the Inbox' is checked. For details, see our Instagram Integration Guide.

Re-authorize your Instagram account in SaleSmartly.

If the issue persists, try linking Instagram with another Facebook Page or personal account.

 

Solution ②

On Instagram, go to More (bottom left) > Settings > Messages and Story Replies > Message Controls.

Under Who can send you group message requests, select Everyone.

Or open the settings directly via this link: https://www.instagram.com/accounts/settings/v2/message_controls/