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Deprecation of Instagram Basic Display API

Target Audience

Merchants/Businesses who are currently using Instagram Feed Extension on Fynd Commerce Platform.

Meta recently announced the deprecation of the Instagram Basic Display API. This article covers the deprecation and impact on Fynd Commerce Instagram Feed extension and our business users.

Overview of Instagram Basic Display API​

The Instagram Basic Display API is an API provided by Meta that allows developers to access basic Instagram user information and media content. In Instagram Feed, we use it behind the Consumer connection for accounts and widgets. Thanks to the Basic Display API, we can get the information that is required to create the Instagram widgets that you can embed on your website.

Deprecation Timeline​

The Instagram Basic Display API will be fully deprecated by December 4th, 2024🔴. After this date, it will no longer be available for use. You can read the official statement from Meta here – Update on Instagram Basic Display API.

All applications relying on this API will stop functioning unless they have been migrated to the alternative Instagram Graph API.

Instagram Feed extension now supports Instagram API with Instagram login, which are upgraded to API’s v21.0, https://graph.facebook.com/ but our users must manually migrate their accounts.

Impact of Deprecation on Personal Instagram Accounts​

With the deprecation of the Instagram Basic Display API, Meta is officially ending support for personal Instagram accounts in third-party integrations, like Instagram Feed extension on Fynd Commerce. Previously, thanks to the Basic Display API, we could fetch data from personal Instagram accounts in our consumer connection and convert it into our widgets.

With the transition to the more advanced Instagram Graph API behind our business connections, only Professional Instagram accounts – which include Business and Creator accounts – will be supported. The biggest challenge for us with this change is that we can no longer support personal Instagram accounts. While we know most of our users already have professional accounts, some of you may still use personal accounts.

Unfortunately, once this update takes effect, we can no longer create or update widgets for personal Instagram accounts.

New Method for Connecting Instagram Accounts​

Previously, the only way to connect professional Instagram accounts was through a business connection, which required linking your Instagram account to a Facebook Page. This method posed a challenge for some users, as the connection is via Facebook website, and many found it counterintuitive. Additionally, some users were reluctant to create a Facebook Page solely to use the business connection on our platform, opting to stick with the consumer connection instead.

However, Meta has introduced a streamlined method for connecting professional Instagram accounts. On our platform, this option is called Sign-up with Instagram Login. This new flow mirrors the process used for the consumer connection, where you are redirected to the Instagram website and asked to confirm access. The most significant improvement? You no longer need a Facebook Page to complete the connection.

This new method replaces the consumer connection but is available only for professional Instagram accounts. If you attempt to link a personal account, Instagram will prompt you to convert it into a business or creator account before proceeding.

Currently, there is one way to connect a professional Instagram account.

  1. Business connection with Instagram Login (Currently, the support has been added)

  2. Business connection with Facebook Login (Planned for future) You can choose the first method to ensure your integration remains unaffected by the API deprecation.

Steps for Migrating Accounts and Widgets​

Migrating your accounts and widgets to the business connection is a simple two-step process:

  1. Ensure your Instagram account is a professional account: If your Instagram account is currently a personal account, you’ll need to convert it to a Business or Creator account first. A professional account is required to use the Instagram Feed extension.

  2. Connect your Instagram account using a business connection option: Once your Instagram account is business or creator, connect it to our extension using the available Business connection options. Our system will automatically attempt to migrate all your existing widgets to the Business connection.

End Notes​

The announcement about the deprecation of the Basic Display API came as a surprise, especially considering how many applications rely on it to offer services to their users. This marks as Instagram’s second major API deprecation. The first was in 2020 when they phased out their legacy API, and now we face another transition.

We understand this change may be frustrating for our users, who must switch from personal to professional accounts. Unfortunately, migrating to a Business or Creator account will be the only way to continue using our services moving forward. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Migration To-Do CheckList:​

  • Login to Fynd Commerce Platform → Extensions → Instagram Feed

  • Logout from Instagram Extension using logout functionality QG1

  • Click Sign-In with Instagram to connect your Instagram Account again and sync.

    QG1

    QG1

  • The Instagram will prompt to upgrade your current Personal Instagram account to Creator/Business type account.

  • Select either Creator or Business Instagram and approve Fynd Commerce Business app when prompted.

  • On success, the browser will redirect back to the Instagram Feed extension.

    QG1

  • Verify if your posts/reels are visible in the extension and on the storefront.

FAQs​

How to change consumer connection to business connection?

Step 1 - Determine if your Instagram account is already a Professional account.

  • If your Instagram account is already a Professional type (business or creator), proceed to Step 2. You must convert your account to a creator or business account if it is personal. The instructions are in Instagram’s help article, Convert to an Instagram Business Account.

  • The process is simple and only takes a few steps, so follow the instructions before continuing to Step 2 of this guide. The article linked above also includes a FAQs section to address common questions about professional Instagram accounts.

Step 2 – Connect your Instagram account using a business connection.

  • Go to the list of your Instagram accounts. Connect a new account using the available business connection options.

  • Sign-up with Instagram Login using our extension.

Is it free of charge, or will I need to pay for another widget?

Determine if your Instagram account is already a Professional account. Switching from a consumer to a business connection is completely free. After the migration, all your existing widgets will continue functioning normally, and there’s no need to purchase any new add-ons. Widgets that were previously upgraded will also work as expected.


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