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

# Instagram Setup and Integration

> Complete guide to setting up Instagram Messenger for DialogShift

## Overview

This guide shows you how to connect Instagram Messenger with DialogShift so your chatbot can automatically respond to Instagram direct messages.

## Prerequisites

Instagram chatbots only work with specific settings and connections:

<Note>
  A professional Instagram business account is mandatory. Personal Instagram accounts are not supported.
</Note>

### What you need:

* An Instagram Business account (not a personal account)
* A Facebook page linked to the Instagram account
* Admin rights on both Instagram and the Facebook page

## Step 1: Set up Instagram Business Account

### Check Account Type

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check current account type">
    1. Open Instagram on your smartphone
    2. Go to **"Settings"**
    3. Look for the **"Business"** section

    <Info>
      If you see the "Business" section in settings, you already have a business account.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Switch to Business Account" condition="If not yet a business account">
    1. Go to **"Settings" >> "Account"**
    2. Tap **"Switch to professional account"**
    3. Choose an appropriate category for your business
    4. Select **"Business"**
    5. Complete your profile with business information
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Why a Business Account?

<Accordion title="Technical Background">
  Meta (the parent company of Instagram and Facebook) uses the same messenger infrastructure for both platforms. To integrate chatbots in Instagram, business accounts with extended API access are required.
</Accordion>

## Step 2: Connect Instagram to Facebook Page

<Warning>
  This is a mandatory requirement from Meta. Each Instagram account must be assigned to exactly one Facebook page (1-to-1 connection).
</Warning>

### Create Connection

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prepare Facebook Page">
    Make sure you have a Facebook page for your hotel and possess admin rights.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Link Instagram">
    1. Go to your Facebook page
    2. Navigate to page settings
    3. Select **"Instagram"** in the menu
    4. Click **"Connect Account"**
    5. Log in with your Instagram business account
    6. Confirm the connection

    <Tip>
      Detailed instructions can be found in the [official Facebook guide](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/898752960195806).
    </Tip>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Step 3: Enable Message Access

### Instagram Message Settings

<Steps>
  <Step title="Allow message access">
    1. Open Instagram
    2. Go to **"Settings"**
    3. Select **"Privacy"**
    4. Select **"Messages"**
    5. Enable **"Allow access to messages"**
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  This setting allows external apps like DialogShift to access and respond to Instagram messages.
</Info>

## Step 4: DialogShift Integration

### Set up Integration

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open DialogShift App">
    Go to **"Settings" >> "Integrations"** in the DialogShift Live Chat app.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Facebook/Instagram Login">
    1. Click **"Login"** or **"Renew Login"**
    2. Log in with your Facebook account (that has admin rights)
    3. Select both the Facebook page and the Instagram account
    4. Enable all requested permissions
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Integration">
    1. Back in DialogShift, select the Facebook page
    2. Select the linked Instagram account
    3. Click **"Save"**
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Advanced Configuration

### Instagram-Specific Settings

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Chatbot Modes">
    * **Fully Automatic:** Chatbot answers all messages
    * **Hybrid:** Combination of chatbot and live chat
    * **Live Chat Only:** All messages go directly to human agents
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Story Interactions">
    Configure how the chatbot responds to various Instagram features:

    * Story replies (recommended: disabled for social media teams)
    * Story mentions (recommended: disabled)
    * Media uploads (video, photo, audio)
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Social Media Team Setup">
    For better separation between chatbot and social media team:

    * Disable chatbot reactions to stories
    * Configure direct live chat handover for media uploads
    * Use only button-based handovers
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Instagram account cannot be linked">
    **Possible causes:**

    * Not a business account (personal accounts are not supported)
    * Missing admin rights on the Facebook page
    * Instagram account already linked to another Facebook page

    **Solution:** Check account type and permissions, disconnect previous connections if necessary.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Chatbot doesn't respond on Instagram">
    **Check the following points:**

    * Message access enabled in Instagram settings
    * DialogShift integration properly set up
    * Chatbot enabled for Instagram channel

    **Tip:** Test with a direct message from another Instagram account.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Login issues during integration">
    **Solutions:**

    * Clear browser cache and cookies
    * Use a different browser
    * Renew Facebook login in separate tab
    * Disable VPN if active
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Instagram Specifics

### What works differently than other channels:

<Note>
  Instagram has special restrictions compared to other messaging channels.
</Note>

* **Story Features:** Limited chatbot support for story interactions
* **Media Handling:** More complex processing of images and videos
* **User Initiation:** Chatbots can only respond to user-initiated conversations

## Support and Further Help

### Documentation and Guides

* [Set up Instagram Business Account](https://help.instagram.com/502981923235522?helpref=hc_fnav) (Official)
* [Facebook-Instagram Connection](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/898752960195806) (Official)

### DialogShift Support

* Email: [support@dialogshift.com](mailto:support@dialogshift.com)
* Live chat in the DialogShift app
* Support documentation

<Warning>
  For issues with the Facebook-Instagram connection, contact Facebook Business Support directly, as this is outside DialogShift's control.
</Warning>