# Adding Instagram as an Inbox channel

In this article, we'll walk you through adding Instagram as a channel! Before you start, [see if you're eligible](https://support.messagebird.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020796937).

 

### Requirements

* An eligible Instagram Business account.
* A [linked Facebook page](#h_01F73XM3N71VT55JYXBRF75Y1K) and admin access to that page.
* [Messaging permissions](#h_01F73XMPFAJKHKEXZY7ZH6523T) enabled.
* The number of Instagram followers that your Instagram Business account has (approximately).

### Good to know

* The rate limit for inbound media (including story mentions and images) is currently 2 per second. This rate will be increased in the near future.
* Once this has been completed, please test your channels to make sure they are creating conversations/tickets in Inbox. If they aren't, please refer to the article [How to connect and disconnect a channel from Inbox](https://docs.bird.com/connectivity-platform/installing-channels/how-to-connect-and-disconnect-a-channel-from-inbox).

 

## Add Instagram Business as a channel

To add Instagram for Business as a channel, follow these steps:

1. If you're an existing MessageBird customer, log in to your MessageBird Dashboard. If you're a new customer, you can get started on our [Instagram landing page](http://www.messagebird.com/instagram).
2. Go to [Channels](https://dashboard.messagebird.com/en/channels) by clicking the Channels icon on the toolbar on the left-hand side of your screen.
3. Click Instagram. You’ll be taken to an embedded sign-up flow.<br>

   <figure><img src="https://675349995-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUJNEE9TMK4fU91VKstBr%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f1f9952fd2e48c7438fc904e132be5c1a947f264%2FScreenshot_2021-06-01_at_18.30.41.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
4. On the first page, confirm that you have an Instagram Business account.
5. Tell us how many followers your Instagram Business account has, then click **Continue**.
6. On the next screen, we’ll ask you to confirm that your Instagram Business account is [linked to a Facebook page](#h_01F73XM3N71VT55JYXBRF75Y1K). Confirm this, then click **Continue**.
7. Next, we’ll ask you to check that you have messaging permissions enabled. Once confirmed, click **Continue**.
8. Now you’re ready to add Instagram as a channel! Click to launch the Facebook pop-up, and follow the instructions on the screen.
9. Once completed, a QR code will appear that you can scan to start using Instagram Business as a channel!

### Adding your Instagram channel to Inbox

Once Instagram has been installed, you’ll be able to select it when using the Omnichannel message trigger, (or as a stand-alone trigger):

For a new flow, using the omnichannel trigger:

1. From your [MessageBird Dashboard](https://dashboard.messagebird.com/), navigate to [Flow Builder](https://dashboard.messagebird.com/flow-builder).
2. Click **Create new Flow**, then select **Create Custom Flow**.
3. Select **Omnichannel** as the trigger, then click **Next**.
4. In the trigger settings on the right-hand side of your screen, select **Instagram**, and any other channels that you want to include, then click **Save**.
5. Set up your flow as required, then click **Publish** to set the flow live.

For an existing flow, using the omnichannel trigger:

1. From your [MessageBird Dashboard](https://dashboard.messagebird.com/), navigate to [Flow Builder](https://dashboard.messagebird.com/flow-builder).
2. Locate the **Omnichannel flow** that you want to add Google Business Messages to, then click **Edit**.
3. Click the **Omnichannel trigger**, then select **Instagram** from the list in the trigger settings on the right-hand side of your screen, then click **Save**.
4. Click **Publish** to set the flow live.

<figure><img src="https://675349995-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUJNEE9TMK4fU91VKstBr%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-70206e024356f8491da398f1b08559eadfe26912%2FScreenshot_2021-08-02_at_16_38_29.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### How to link your Instagram profile to a Facebook Page <a href="#link_instagram_facebook" id="link_instagram_facebook"></a>

1. Log into your Instagram Business profile on a mobile phone.
2. If you haven’t already, convert your Instagram profile to a Professional Account — and set it to **Business**.
3. Go to Settings, then click **Business**.
4. Click **Connect or Create**.
5. You can choose to connect an existing Facebook page or create a new one.
6. If you aren’t already logged into your Facebook account, do it now.
7. You’ll be prompted to set up your Accounts Center.
8. Click Yes, **Finish Setup**.
9. Select the page that you want to connect the profile to, or create a new one.
10. Click **Done** to finish the process.

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### How to enable ‘Access to Messages’ on Instagram <a href="#h_01f73xmpfajkhkexzy7zh6523t" id="h_01f73xmpfajkhkexzy7zh6523t"></a>

1. Log into the Instagram profile on a mobile phone.
2. If you haven’t already, convert your Instagram profile to a Professional Account — and set it to **Business**.
3. Go to Settings then click **Privacy**.
4. Click **Messages**.
5. Click the toggle so that Allow **Access to Messages** is enabled.\ <br>

You can learn more about using Instagram with Inbox in the [Instagram section](https://docs.bird.com/connectivity-platform/instagram) of our Help Center.

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