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Instagram

Instagram posting requires a professional Instagram account connected to a Facebook Page. Media must be reachable through a public URL before Instagram can create the post.

Content support​

CapabilitySupport
CaptionUp to 2200 characters.
Required mediaYes, at least one image or video.
MediaImages and videos. Mixed image + video carousels are supported.
Media limit1–10 items total.
Public media URLRequired by the Instagram API.

A single video is published as a Reel. Multiple items are published as a carousel.

Set up credentials​

1. Switch to a professional Instagram account​

In Instagram settings, switch the account to Business or Creator.

2. Connect a Facebook Page​

Connect the Instagram account to a Facebook Page you manage. This usually creates or links a Meta business portfolio.

3. Create a Meta developer app​

Open Meta Apps and create an app. Choose the legacy or business flow that exposes the Instagram product and permissions.

4. Add Instagram​

Add the Instagram product to the app. This unlocks Instagram Graph API permissions.

5. Generate a page access token​

Use Graph API Explorer:

  1. Select your app.
  2. Choose Get Page Access Token.
  3. Add permissions:
pages_show_list
business_management
instagram_basic
instagram_content_publish
pages_manage_posts
  1. Grant access.
  2. Call /me/accounts.
  3. Copy the Page Access Token and Page ID.

6. Get the Instagram business account ID​

Call:

<PAGE_ID>?fields=instagram_business_account

The returned instagram_business_account.id is the value SimplePost needs.

7. Extend the token​

Use the Access Token Debugger to extend the user token, then call /me/accounts again to get a long-lived Page token.

8. Configure media storage​

Instagram requires public media URLs. Configure media storage so SimplePost can upload local files and pass back fetchable URLs.

Environment variables​

INSTAGRAM_ACCESS_TOKEN=
INSTAGRAM_BUSINESS_ACCOUNT_ID=

Both variables must be set together for the SDK to pick up Instagram env credentials.

SDK example​

await post({
  content: {
    text: "Photo dump",
    media: [
      { type: "image", path: "./photo1.jpg" },
      { type: "image", path: "./photo2.jpg" },
    ],
  },
  platforms: ["instagram"],
});

The credentials object also accepts graphApi: "instagram" (the default) or graphApi: "facebook" if your token was issued through the Facebook Graph API rather than the Instagram Graph API.

REST server account​

Add this entry under accounts in the self-hosted REST server's accounts.json:

{
  "id": "ig-business",
  "platform": "instagram",
  "credentials": {
    "accessToken": "...",
    "businessAccountId": "17841...",
    "graphApi": "instagram"
  }
}