> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://chatbotx.io/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Connect Instagram to ChatbotX

> Step-by-step guide to connect your Instagram Professional account to ChatbotX to automate DMs, Story Mentions, and Comment-to-DM.

By connecting your Instagram Professional account to **ChatbotX**, you can leverage **AI Agents** to automate Direct Messages (DMs), respond to Story Mentions, and convert post comments into leads through "Comment-to-DM" automation.

## Prerequisites

Before getting started, make sure you have met the following requirements:

1. **Instagram Professional account:** Your Instagram account must be set as a **Business** or **Creator** profile. If you are using a personal account, follow [this official guide](https://help.instagram.com/502981923235522) to switch.
2. **Linked Facebook Page:** Your Instagram account must be linked to a Facebook Page where you have **Admin** access.
3. **Admin access:** You need **"Full Control"** or **Admin** permissions on the linked Facebook Page.
4. **Personal Facebook account:** You must be logged in on your browser with the Facebook account that manages that Page.

## Link Your Facebook Page with Instagram Account

Before connecting to ChatbotX, you need to ensure your Facebook Page is linked to your Instagram Professional account.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Facebook Page settings">
    Go to the [Facebook Pages Manager](https://www.facebook.com/pages/?category=your_pages), select the Page you want to link, and open **Settings**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Link your Instagram account">
    Go to **Linked Accounts** and connect your Instagram Professional account.

    1. Select **Instagram**

           <Frame>
             <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatbotx/kDJf1v4d4sQ2ABir/images/image-266.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=kDJf1v4d4sQ2ABir&q=85&s=5affc46065fe6c7018e2aac105ad7918" alt="facebook_linked_accounts_instagram" width="2639" height="1541" data-path="images/image-266.png" />
           </Frame>

    2. Click **"Connect account"** and follow the Instagram login prompts

           <Frame>
             <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatbotx/kDJf1v4d4sQ2ABir/images/image-268.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=kDJf1v4d4sQ2ABir&q=85&s=b06be3f265ed718e0f8d281f185805f0" alt="instagram_connect_account" width="2674" height="1079" data-path="images/image-268.png" />
           </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the connection">
    If everything is successful, you will see the message **"Instagram connected."** on the settings page.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Step 1: Open the Channel Configuration

1. Log in to your **ChatbotX** dashboard.
2. Go to **Settings** → **Channels**.
3. Find the Instagram icon and click the **"Add Instagram"** button.
   <Frame>
     <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatbotx/yRZ_PCoNBszi7vC3/images/image-269.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=yRZ_PCoNBszi7vC3&q=85&s=98172fd096a539313b9c52e19c3b894f" alt="chatbotx_navigate_to_instagram_channel_setup" width="3019" height="1362" data-path="images/image-269.png" />
   </Frame>
4. Click **Connect**
   <Frame>
     <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatbotx/ANhXsw8Ne3M7OLMi/images/image-270.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ANhXsw8Ne3M7OLMi&q=85&s=5c7096ac71169af529d1528dbd4b2f0d" alt="Image" width="1119" height="331" data-path="images/image-270.png" />
   </Frame>

## Step 2: Grant Access Permissions

The system will redirect you to the Facebook (Meta) permission granting interface.

1. Click the **"Continue as \[Your Name]"** button to grant permissions.
   > **Important:** If you have previously connected other pages, click **Edit Settings** to ensure the new Instagram account is included in the current permission session.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatbotx/ANhXsw8Ne3M7OLMi/images/image-272.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ANhXsw8Ne3M7OLMi&q=85&s=bb1a41d783dcfc90fe0c6067dcc45910" alt="meta_instagram_authentication_popup" width="1110" height="1382" data-path="images/image-272.png" />
</Frame>

## Step 3: Select Linked Facebook Pages

Check the box for the **linked Facebook Page**, or select **All**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatbotx/ANhXsw8Ne3M7OLMi/images/image-271.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ANhXsw8Ne3M7OLMi&q=85&s=79e25e0a8d937330cbed12f11943d622" alt="selecting_facebook_page" width="1119" height="1394" data-path="images/image-271.png" />
</Frame>

## Step 4: Select Instagram Accounts

Confirm the exact Instagram account you want to link to the platform, or select all.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatbotx/ANhXsw8Ne3M7OLMi/images/image-273.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ANhXsw8Ne3M7OLMi&q=85&s=2f64b71d9ec3cc468f0d33185700b91b" alt="selecting_instagram_account_to_connect" width="1101" height="1394" data-path="images/image-273.png" />
</Frame>

## Step 5: Review Permissions

This is the final step.

1. Review the permissions the application is allowed to access.
2. Once verified, click the **Save** button in the bottom right corner.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatbotx/ANhXsw8Ne3M7OLMi/images/image-275.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ANhXsw8Ne3M7OLMi&q=85&s=b2155b125c6fa5a70c91f64ab41006e3" alt="Image" width="1108" height="1393" data-path="images/image-275.png" />
</Frame>

## Step 6: Test Automation

Your Instagram account is now connected. You can test it using one of the following methods:

* **Option 1: Create a Flow**
  * Go to the **Flows** section in the sidebar.
  * Create a simple welcome message or an interactive menu.
  * Send a DM to the Instagram account to verify the response.
* **Option 2: Set up an AI Agent**
  * Go to the **AI Agent** tab to configure your agent's personality.
  * After saving, send a DM to the Instagram account from another account to test the AI response.

<Note>
  **Enable "Allow Access to Messages":** In the Instagram mobile app, go to **Settings and privacy → Messages and story replies → Message controls**, and make sure **"Allow Access to Messages"** is turned **ON**. This is required for third-party tools to receive your Direct Messages.
</Note>

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why doesn't my Instagram account appear in the connection list?">
    This is the most common issue during setup. It is usually because your account doesn't meet Meta's requirements.

    **Check account type:** Make sure your Instagram account is set as **Business** or **Creator**. Personal accounts are not supported by the Meta API for third-party integrations.

    **Admin permissions:** You must have **Admin** access on the Facebook Page linked to that Instagram account. If it's linked but still not showing, go to **Facebook Page Settings → Linked Accounts**, disconnect and then reconnect the Instagram account to refresh the access token.

    **How to fix:** Go to your personal Facebook profile → **Settings & Privacy** → **Settings** → **Business Integrations**. Find **ChatbotX**, click **Remove**, then go back to Step 1 to start over.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I connected successfully but I'm not receiving messages in ChatbotX?">
    If the status shows "Connected" but messages aren't appearing, check the following:

    **Enable 'Allow Access to Messages'**

    1. Open the Instagram app on your phone.
    2. Go to **Settings and privacy** → **Messages and story replies** → **Message controls**.
    3. Scroll down to the **Connected tools** section and toggle **'Allow Access to Messages'** to **ON**.

    **Check AI Agent** Make sure you have assigned an **AI Agent** to this Instagram channel in the **AI Agent Settings**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can ChatbotX automatically respond to Instagram Stories and Mentions?">
    **Absolutely.** ChatbotX fully supports interactive features to boost customer engagement.

    **Story & Mentions responses:** Your AI Agent can be configured to automatically send thank-you messages or provide information when someone replies to your Story or mentions your account.

    **24-Hour Rule:** Like Messenger, AI can only respond within a **24-hour** window from the user's last interaction.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use 'Comment-to-DM' automation on Instagram posts?">
    **Yes, this is a powerful feature for converting followers.**

    **Auto-reply to comments:** You can set up your AI Agent to automatically reply to comments on your posts and simultaneously send a DM to that user (e.g., sending a discount code when a user comments "Interested"). This increases conversion rates without manual effort.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How does Facebook's 24-hour rule affect the bot?">
    According to Meta's policy, bots are only allowed to respond to customers **within 24 hours of the customer's most recent message**.

    After 24 hours, you must use:

    * **Message Tags**, or
    * **Marketing Messages**

    to continue the conversation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I update permissions when I add a new Instagram account?">
    You don't need to disconnect the existing connection.

    Simply repeat the **Add Instagram** process. When the Meta window appears, click **Edit Settings** and check the new Instagram account.

    The system will automatically update the list without affecting previously connected channels.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>