How to connect Instagram to ShelfSocial

Connecting Instagram is the one step where ShelfSocial needs something from you outside the app. It takes about a minute. You need your shop’s Instagram username and password, and a Business account. Here’s how to check, how to connect, and what you’ll see.

1. Check your Instagram is a Business account

ShelfSocial works with Business accounts. A personal account won’t connect. We don’t support Creator accounts either, because Stories only work on Business. Switching is free and takes a couple of minutes. Your posts and followers stay where they are.

To check, do this in the Instagram app:

1. Tap your profile picture in the bottom corner to open your profile.
2. Tap the menu (three lines at the top of your profile), then something like Settings and privacy. Instagram moves its menus around, so look for Settings.
3. Look for Account type and tools. Can’t see it? Type “account type” in the search box at the top of Settings.
4. Read what it offers.

What you see tells you what you have:

• “Switch to professional account” means you’re on a personal account. Tap it, and when Instagram asks which kind of account, choose Business. Pick the category closest to your shop and finish the prompts.
• Something like “Switch to personal account” means you’re already on a professional account. That’s Business or Creator. Tap something like Switch account type and check that Business is selected. If it says Creator, choose Business.

If Instagram offers to link a Facebook Page or other accounts, you can skip it. ShelfSocial doesn’t need one.

Instagram changes its menus now and then. If a name looks different, use the search box in Settings and type “account type”. Still stuck? Email us and tell us what you see.

2. Connect from ShelfSocial

You can do this in the app or in your browser. Both work the same way.

1. Open ShelfSocial and go to Store, then Connected accounts. (If you’re setting up for the first time, it’s step 3 of setup: Connect your shop’s Instagram.)
2. Tap Connect Instagram.
3. Instagram opens. Sign in with your shop’s username and password. Sometimes Instagram sends a security code too.
4. Check the permission screen (below), leave both switches on, and tap Allow.
5. You’re sent back to ShelfSocial. Check that the account name is your shop’s, then tap Yes, continue.

Instagram may sign you in with the account that’s already open on that phone or browser. If it’s your own account and not the shop’s, tap Switch account and sign in with the shop’s username.

3. What you’ll see on Instagram

After you sign in, Instagram shows what ShelfSocial wants to do. This is an example, drawn by us. Instagram’s own wording and look can differ a little.

Instagram•••

Shelf Social - IG is requesting access to: shelfsocial.ai. If you select Allow, Shelf Social - IG will be able to:

View profile and access media (required)

Access and publish content

▲ Keep this on. It lets ShelfSocial post for you.

By allowing, Shelf Social - IG will receive ongoing access to your information and Instagram will record when Shelf Social - IG accesses it. Learn More about this sharing and the settings you have. Shelf Social - IG Privacy Policy and Terms.

Allow

▲ Then tap Allow

Cancel

It asks for two things, and no more:

• View profile and access media. Instagram marks this one as required. It lets ShelfSocial show which account is connected.
• Access and publish content. This lets ShelfSocial post and schedule for you. Without it, nothing can go out. Keep it on.

ShelfSocial never sees your Instagram password, and never reads your messages, comments, followers or stats. It posts only what you make or schedule. You can disconnect any time in Store, then Connected accounts. You can also remove ShelfSocial in Instagram, under something like Settings, then Website permissions. Instagram doesn’t tell us when you do, so disconnect in ShelfSocial too.

4. If it doesn’t connect

Most snags are one of these. ShelfSocial shows a short message that tells you which.

• Your account is personal, or Creator. Instagram needs a Business account. This is the most common one. Switch to Business using the steps in section 1, then tap Try again. Already on Business? Try again once more.
• A switch was off. If you turned off Access and publish content, ShelfSocial can’t post for you and won’t connect. Tap Try again and leave both switches on.
• It connected the wrong account. Instagram used the account that was already signed in on your phone or browser. In ShelfSocial, tap Switch account (under Store, then Connected accounts, it’s Switch Instagram account) and sign in with your shop’s username.
• That account is already connected to another ShelfSocial store. We allow one Instagram account per store. If it’s yours and you want to move it, email support@shelfsocial.ai and we’ll help.
• You tapped Cancel, or it took too long. Nothing was saved. Sign-in links stop working after 30 minutes. Just tap Try again.
• Instagram opened its own app and stopped. Open ShelfSocial and check Connected accounts. If it says Connected, you’re done. If not, try again.

Still stuck? Email support@shelfsocial.ai. A person reads it. Tell us which screen you were on and what you tapped, and send a screenshot if you can.