Instagram API setup checklist for a responsible first integration

1. Define one use case and one user journey

Write down who uses the integration, what the person wants to do, and what data the app must read or change. “Manage Instagram” is too broad. “Show incoming customer messages for an authorized shop account and let an operator respond when eligible” is testable.

Map the user’s journey from first explanation through authorization, first event, successful task, disconnect, and data deletion. Note what the app will show when permission is missing or access expires.

2. Check the account prerequisites

Meta’s Instagram Platform serves professional accounts—business and creator accounts. The login path determines whether a Facebook Page is required and what roles or business assets are involved. Confirm this with the account owner before implementing onboarding.

3. Choose the API setup deliberately

Meta currently recommends Unified Login for new integrations. Instagram Login is a distinct path that does not require a linked Facebook Page. Facebook Login serves Page-linked professional accounts. Compare supported features, login experience, access tokens, API hosts, and permissions in Meta’s current setup matrix; do not mix code from different flows.

4. Request only the access you need

Translate product features into required permissions and endpoint access. Standard Access is generally for accounts the app team owns or manages and development/testing. Serving accounts outside those roles can require Advanced Access, App Review, and business verification. Tell users why access is needed and avoid requesting a broad permission set for a future feature that is not built.

5. Build the security and event foundation

Use OAuth and token handling exactly as required for the selected setup. Keep secrets on a server, encrypt credentials at rest, limit who can access them, and implement revocation and deletion flows. For events, create an HTTPS webhook callback, subscribe only to relevant fields, validate signatures, respond promptly, and safely handle retries and duplicate delivery.

Before the first external customer, test onboarding, permission denial, token expiration, account disconnect, callback outages, duplicate events, and data deletion. Document support steps for each.

6. Prepare for access review and operations

If the app serves customers who do not have a role on it or a qualifying role on the relevant business portfolio, check Meta’s Advanced Access requirements. Prepare a working demo, a clear permission rationale, test credentials or review instructions, a privacy policy, and a concise explanation of how user data is used.

Plan ongoing operations too: alerts for webhook failure, app-version changes, API deprecations, rate limits, permission changes, and policy updates. Assign an owner to periodically check the official documentation.

A note about the Niaje demo

Niaje is not yet connected to Meta. You can explore its local sample workspace, but it does not implement this checklist, launch OAuth, make API requests, store Meta tokens, or receive webhook events.