Guide: Instagram accounts and the linked Page
This page: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/pages/instagram-accounts-and-the-linked-page
Topic: Pages and connections
Time: about 2 minutes
Who can do it: Owner or Administrator
Author: https://anantgupta.xyz (Anant Gupta, founder of CommentWatchDog)
Start in the app: https://app.commentwatchdog.com/en/settings/pages
Result when done: Your Instagram comments arrive, because the account is set up the way Meta requires.
Context: Meta reaches an Instagram account through a Facebook Page. Two conditions must hold: the account is professional, and it is linked to a Page your Facebook login manages.

Before you start:
1. A personal Instagram account cannot be connected; switch it to business or creator.
2. The linked Facebook Page must be one your login manages.
3. After linking, Refresh pages picks it up.

Steps:
Step 1 of 3: Make the account professional.
Where: In the Instagram app: Settings, then account type, then switch to a business or creator account. It is free and reversible.
You should see: The account has professional tools, which is what the API needs.

Step 2 of 3: Link it to your Facebook Page.
Where: Instagram: Settings, Business tools and controls, then connect or link a Facebook Page, and pick the Page your login manages.
You should see: The account and the Page are linked on Meta side.

Step 3 of 3: Refresh and add it.
Where: Back on the Pages tab, Refresh pages at the top of Available to add, then Add on the Instagram row.
Link: https://app.commentwatchdog.com/en/settings/pages (Open Settings, Pages)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/pages-refresh.en.webp (Refresh pages, then Add.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/pages-available-phone.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: The account appears with the Instagram mark and moves into Connected pages.

If something is off:
Problem: It still does not appear
Fix: Reconnect Facebook and make sure the linked Page is selected in the dialog.
Problem: I linked the wrong Page
Fix: Change the link in Instagram, then reconnect here.
Problem: Are Instagram comments treated the same
Fix: Almost. Instagram has no like from an app and no blocking through the API; the rest works the same.

Common questions:
Question: Does switching Instagram to a business account cost anything?
Answer: No. Switching to a business or creator account happens in the Instagram app under Settings and account type; it is free and reversible, and it gives the account the professional tools the API needs.
Question: Can I connect a personal Instagram account?
Answer: No. A personal Instagram account cannot be connected. Switch it to business or creator, link it to a Facebook Page your login manages, then press Refresh pages and Add on the Pages tab.
Question: Do I sign in to Instagram separately in CommentWatchDog?
Answer: No. Meta reaches an Instagram account through a Facebook Page, so the account joins through your Facebook connection once it is linked to a Page your login manages, and CommentWatchDog picks it up with Refresh pages.

Related guides:
- Missing pages in the list: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/pages/missing-pages-in-the-list
- No like on Instagram comments: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/platforms/no-like-on-instagram-comments
- Add a page or an Instagram account: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/pages/add-a-page-or-an-instagram-account

Plain text of this guide: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/pages/instagram-accounts-and-the-linked-page.md
All guides for assistants: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/llms.txt