With an Instagram professional account, you have the potential to reach over Instagram's 1.3 billion and growing user base in the US and across the globe. You can connect an Instagram Business Profile, manage and supervise profiles and content, create and publish content to Instagram, and subscribe to campaigns for Instagram content.
Instagram’s API only allows for posting to Instagram Business Profiles. Before you can connect your Instagram to Yext, you must first convert it to a Professional Profile.
You can change an Instagram Personal Profile into a Business one in two ways: on the desktop via your Facebook page or on the mobile app via Instagram. We highly recommend converting through Facebook over Instagram because we’ve seen more success doing it that way.
For more information, review each section as needed.
Converting Your Instagram Profile to a Professional Account
Converting via Instagram App (Mobile)
Switching Across Instagram Profiles
Note: Hiding your Facebook Business page now deactivates your page. In the old Facebook experience, that didn't happen. However, this is part of the functionality for the new Facebook Business Page experience. Hiding will now disconnect your Instagram page from Yext so you have to keep your Facebook Business page in a "live" stage.
Converting Your Instagram Profile to a Professional Account
By far the most successful way to convert your Instagram profile is through your Facebook page. This will also automatically connect your Instagram Business Profile to your Facebook Page, circumventing the possibility of accidentally making a new Facebook Page. Instagram periodically updates the process for converting accounts, please check here for the most up-to-date information.
Note: You don't have to get rid of your own personal account; you can have both. You can easily toggle between the two.
To connect your Facebook Page and Instagram account:
1. Log in to Facebook and select your Business Page.
2. Click Settings.
3. Click Linked Accounts.
4. Click Connect account. Facebook will then take you to through the process of converting your profile. Follow the prompts to continue with connecting your account.
5. Enter your Instagram credentials.
6. Continue following the prompts to connect your account. Once connected, you will be shown a confirmation message. Click Done to complete the process.
Converting via Instagram App (Mobile)
To convert via the Instagram application on your phone, you can follow the steps here. Make sure you select your existing Facebook Page to connect, otherwise Instagram will create a new Facebook Page that will link. If you accidentally create a new page or connect it to the wrong page, you can change your linked account by following the steps here.
Once you've converted, add your Instagram Business Profile under Settings > Accounts > Connect Instagram and connect via your Facebook Profile. The workflow is similar to connecting a Facebook Page, but on the next screen you'll be selecting your Instagram Business Profile instead of a Facebook Page.
Switching Across Instagram Profiles
You can quickly and easily manage multiple Instagram profiles, including your business profile, in the Instagram app.
To switch from one account to the other:
1. Hold down on your profile image on the bottom right corner until your other accounts pop up.
2. Select the account you want to switch to by tapping on it. You will then go to the Account page for that profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I connect and publish to personal Instagram profiles?
A: No. The APIs only support Instagram business profile
Q: Can I have a private Instagram business profile?
A: No. Only personal accounts can be private.
Q: Can I publish stories and reels to Instagram from Yext?
A: Stories cannot be posted via Yext. However, stories posted natively on Instagram are captured by Yext for supervision and archiving. Video Posts published to Instagram from Yext are treated as reels.
Q: Can you get data from 3rd party private personal profile (e.g. 3rd party tags HSS User)?
A: No, you cannot get posts or user information on private personal profiles.
Q: Can you proactively block agents/advisors from publishing stories?
A: No. We recommend that organizations update their social media policy to ensure their field is aware of what they can/can’t publish.
Q: Can we use Instagram filters to modify images?
A: No. This is not possible via API. Q: Can we tag users or location when publishing from Yext?
A: No. We cannot tag users in photo or location in Yext.