Instagram Channel Setup
Connect an Instagram account so direct messages and post comments flow into the Applied Inbox, where agents can reply automatically or route to your team.
Applied uses Meta’s Instagram API with Instagram Login — you sign in directly to Instagram during the connect flow. A linked Facebook Page is not required.
Before you start
You’ll need:
- An Instagram Business or Creator account. Personal accounts can’t use the Instagram API. To convert: open the Instagram app and go to Settings → Account type and tools → Switch to professional account.
- The Instagram login credentials for that account, or admin access if your organization manages it.
If you previously connected Instagram through a Facebook Page (the older Graph API flow), you can still use Instagram Login here — there’s nothing to migrate ahead of time.
Step 1: Connect your Instagram account
- In Applied, open Settings → Workspace → Channels → Instagram.
- Click Connect Instagram.
- A popup opens at
instagram.com. Sign in to the Business or Creator account you want to connect. - Review the permissions Applied requests (read profile, manage messages, reply to comments, publish content) and tap Allow.
- The popup closes and your account appears in the Connected Instagram accounts list.
💡 Tip: If you’re already signed in to Instagram in the same browser as a different account, log out first or use a private window — the consent screen skips account selection if a session is active.
Step 2: Assign agents
For each connected account, set:
| Field | What it handles |
|---|---|
| Direct messages agent | Auto-replies to Instagram DMs sent to this account. Leave unassigned to route every DM straight to humans. |
| Comments agent | Auto-replies to comments on this account’s posts. Leave unassigned to route comments to your team silently. |
Only agents with Chat modality (or All) are eligible — set the modality on the agent’s settings page if your agent doesn’t appear.
You can change these at any time; new assignments take effect on the next incoming message.
Step 3: Send a test
- From a personal Instagram account, send a DM to your connected business account.
- Confirm the message appears in the Applied Inbox.
- If a DM agent is assigned, confirm it replies. Otherwise reply manually from the Inbox and check the message arrives back in Instagram.
- Repeat for comments: post from the business account, then comment from a personal account.
If messages don’t arrive, the most common cause is that one of the requested permissions was declined during connect. Disconnect the account, reconnect, and make sure every permission Applied requests is granted. If it still doesn’t work, contact support@appliedlabs.ai.
Disconnecting
To stop receiving messages from an account, click Disconnect on its card in Settings → Workspace → Channels → Instagram. This revokes Applied’s access to that account only — other connected accounts are unaffected. Past conversations remain in the Inbox.
To fully revoke access from the Instagram side as well, open the Instagram app and go to Settings → Apps and websites and remove Applied.