Instagram

Overview

Connect your Instagram Business or Creator account to Gapex to automatically sync posts, manage comments with AI, and engage with your audience — all from one dashboard.

Before You Start

Before connecting Instagram to Gapex, make sure the following requirements are met:

1. Switch to a Professional Account

Instagram only allows API access for Business or Creator accounts. Personal accounts cannot be connected.

Step 1: Open Instagram Profile

Open the Instagram app on your phone. Tap the ☰ menu icon in the top-right corner of your profile.

Step 2: Go to Account Type & Tools

In the Settings menu, find the Account type and tools section and tap on it.

Step 3: Switch to Professional Account

Tap Switch to professional account to begin the process.

Step 4: Continue

You’ll see the benefits of a professional account. Tap Next to continue.

Step 5: Choose a Category

Search and select a category that best describes your account. Then tap Switch to professional account.

Step 6: Select Business

Choose Business as your account type and tap Next.

Step 7: Review Contact Information

Review your contact information. You can edit or skip this step. Tap Next to continue.

Step 8: Skip Facebook Page Connection

You’ll be asked to connect a Facebook Page. Tap Skip for now — we’ll do this from a computer later.

Step 9: Complete Setup

You’ll see setup suggestions for your professional account. You can explore them or tap ✕ to close.

Step 10: Professional Account Ready

Your profile now shows Professional dashboard. Your account has been successfully switched!

This is free and takes less than a minute.

2. Create a Facebook Page

Instagram’s API works through Facebook. You need a Facebook Page linked to your Instagram account.

Step 1: Open Create Page

Go to facebook.com/pages/create. Enter a Page name, select a Category, and add a description. Then click Create Page.

Step 2: Finish Setting Up Your Page

Fill in your contact information, location, and business hours. Click Next to continue.

Step 3: Customise Your Page

Add a Profile Picture and Cover Photo for your Page. Click Next to continue.

Step 4: Connect WhatsApp (Optional)

You can connect your WhatsApp number or click Skip to skip this step.

Step 5: Invite Friends (Optional)

You can invite friends to like your Page or click Next to skip.

Step 6: Stay Informed

Configure your notification preferences and click Done to finish creating your Page.

Step 7: Facebook Page Created

Your new Facebook Business Page is now ready!

If you already have a Facebook Page, skip to the next section.

3. Link Instagram to Your Facebook Page

Step 1: Open Professional Dashboard

On your Facebook Page, click Professional dashboard in the left sidebar.

Step 2: Go to Linked Accounts

In the Professional Dashboard, find Linked accounts on the right side and click on it.

Step 3: Select Instagram

You’ll see the Settings & privacy page. Click on Instagram (shown as “Not connected”).

Step 4: Connect Account

Click the Connect Account button to begin linking your Instagram.

Step 5: Confirm Connection

A popup will appear showing what access will be shared between Facebook and Instagram. Click Connect to confirm.

Step 6: Allow Instagram Messages

Choose your Instagram message settings and click Continue.

Step 7: Log in to Instagram

Enter your Instagram username and password, then click Log in.

Step 8: Save Login Info

You’ll be asked to save your login info. Click Save info or Not now.

Step 9: Confirm Instagram Account

Confirm your Instagram account by clicking Log in as (your username).

Step 10: Add to Business Portfolio

A popup will show your business portfolio details. Click Continue to proceed.

Step 11: Instagram Connected!

You’ll see a success message: “Instagram connected”. Click Done.

Step 12: Connection Complete

Your Instagram account is now linked to your Facebook Page. You can see the connection details on this page.

This step is required. The Instagram API only works through a Facebook Page.

4. Connect Instagram to Gapex

Step 1: Sign in to Gapex

Go to gapex.ai and sign in to your account.

Step 2: Add account

Go to the Accounts section in the left panel and click the + Add account button.

Step 3: Select Instagram

Select Instagram from the list of platforms. Click Continue with Facebook.

Step 4: Authorize via Facebook

The Facebook login page will open. Sign in with the Facebook account linked to your Instagram and approve the requested permissions:

• Access to page information
• Access to Instagram account data
• Manage comments

Review the permissions and click Continue.

Step 5: Select your Instagram account

A list of your linked Instagram accounts will appear. Select the account you want to connect and click Connect.

Step 6: Done!

Your Instagram account has been successfully connected to Gapex. You can now view your posts and comments on the dashboard.

What Happens Next

Once connected, Gapex automatically begins the following processes:

1. Post Syncing — Your Instagram posts will appear in the Gapex dashboard.
2. Comment Monitoring — The system checks for new comments every 5 minutes.
3. AI Suggestion Engine — Gapex generates response suggestions based on your post context.

Settings

Configure your account behavior in Account Settings:

Auto-Reply Settings

• Enable auto-reply: Automatically post AI responses that meet your confidence score.
• Review before posting: Hold replies for manual approval before they go live.

Comment Filters

• Comment Filter: Sync all comments or only unanswered ones.

Troubleshooting

“Instagram account not showing”

Problem: Instagram doesn’t appear in the account selection. Solution: Make sure your Instagram account is Business or Creator and is linked to a Facebook Page. Both accounts must belong to the same person.

“Comments not appearing”

Problem: No comments visible in the dashboard. Solution: Comments sync every 5 minutes. Wait a moment. If a post has no comments, it will appear empty.

“Invalid or Expired Token”

Problem: Your session has timed out or permissions were revoked. Solution: Click Disconnect in Account Settings and follow the connection process again.

Privacy & Security

• No Passwords: We use official Facebook OAuth. We never see your password.
• Limited Access: Gapex only accesses Instagram data. We cannot access your other Facebook data.
• Revocable: You can remove Gapex’s access at any time via Facebook Settings.

FAQ

Q: Can I connect multiple Instagram accounts? A: Yes! Simply repeat the “Add Account” process for each account.

Q: Are video posts supported? A: Yes, video posts are supported, though they may take slightly longer to load.

Q: How do I disconnect an account? A: Go to Settings and click the Disconnect button next to the account.

Limitations

• API Restriction: Only Business and Creator accounts can manage comments via the Instagram API.
• Story Replies: Replies to Instagram Stories are not available through the API.
• Sync Interval: Comments sync every 5 minutes, not in real-time.