The Instagram API Just Went to 11
We are really excited to announce a whole crop of new Instagram API capabilities via the Ayrshare API. While Meta has had some recent layoffs, their Instagram API team has been rocking it.
Let’s start with the big one that our users have been requested for year…
Instagram Creator Account Publishing
Ever since Instagram launched direct post publishing via their Graph API in January 2021, only Instagram Business Account connected with a Facebook Page were supported. For a quick review of the difference between an Instagram Creator, Business, and Personal Profile, see here:
While the requirement of connecting a Facebook Page remains, you can now also publish a post with a Creator account. This opens up a lot of flexibility for those you need the Creator features in Instagram and switch to a Business account. (Note that as of late June 2023, Facebook currently has a reported bug where Creator accounts can’t publish Stories, but can images, videos, and Reels.)
How to Switch to a Business or Creator Account in Instagram?
It is both free and easy to switch between account type. Here is a walk-through of the processes:
For more details check out our Instagram Walk-Through Guide.
How to Publish with the API
As easy as it is to switch Instagram account types, you can also publish a post via Ayrshare’s API /post endpoint:
{
"post": "The best IG ever #best #awesome https://www.instagram.com",
"mediaUrls": ["https://img.ayrshare.com/012/gb.jpg"],
"platforms": ["instagram"]
}Include the URL to your video, image, Reel, or Story. See the docs linked above for additional capabilites.
Instagram Increased Publishing Limit
The second most requested change has been increasing the publishing limit. Instagram now allows 50 posts per rolling 24-hour period – previously was 25 posts every 24 hours. If you’re creating a lot of content, 50 posts give you a lot more opportunity to get your message out.
Reels User Tagging, Cover Image, and Audio Naming
There are three other new capabilities that Ayrshare clients have access to. For many of our clients, these are just as important as the Creator account support and the increased publishing limit.
Reels User Tagging
A Reel can now be tagged with Instagram users by using the handle of the Instagram user. You can add an array of the handles to the API call.
{
...
"instagramOptions": {
"userTags": [
{
"username": "ayrshare", // Required: Instagram username
},
{
"username": "johnboy", // Required: Instagram username
}
]
}
}Important to note: The Instagram user will be notified when you use their username in a post. Please be cautious to not spam users or post with their username repeatedly. If you do, Instagram could suspend or deactivate your account.
Reel Cover Image
Reels support a cover image from an external URL, or you can still use the offset. Use the coverUrl parameter in the API call.
{
...
"instagramOptions": {
"thumbNailOffset": 30000 // milliseconds
"coverUrl": "https://img.ayrshare.com/012/gb.jpg" // Reels only
}
}If both coverUrl and thumbNailOffset included, the coverUrl will be used.
Reel Audio Naming
When you upload a Reel with audio, the default name of the audio is “Original Audio”. Not ideal, so now you can name the audio yourself with the audioName field.
{
"post": "The description of the video",
"mediaUrls": ["https://img.ayrshare.com/012/reel.mp4"],
"instagramOptions": {
"reels": true, // required for Reels
"shareReelsFeed": true, // optional
"audioName": "This is the best" // optional
}
}Note: You can only rename once, either while creating a reel or after from the audio page.
Here is an example of setting the Reel audio name to “This is the best”:
Based on the initial client feedback, we’re really happy with the new updates from Instagram and hope to see more soon!
