The Instagram Basic Display API is gone: how to keep your Instagram feed on your website

What happened

On September 4, 2024, Meta announced that the Instagram Basic Display API would be retired. Since December 4, 2024, every request to it returns an error. Meta asks developers to move to the Instagram API instead (Meta for Developers).

The Basic Display API was what many website feed plugins and widgets used to read your posts. It worked with personal Instagram accounts, which made it easy to set up. When it was shut down, every feed connected through it lost access to Instagram.

What replaced it

Apps now read posts through the Instagram API. It works only with professional accounts (Business or Creator). In practice, this means a personal account can no longer be connected to a website feed. Switching to a professional account is free and takes a minute in the Instagram app (see why you need a professional account, and how to switch).

Is your feed affected?

Your feed was probably connected through the Basic Display API if:

1. The feed still shows posts from before December 2024, and your newer posts never appear.
2. The feed area is empty, or shows an error or “please reconnect” message.
3. The plugin or service you use says it needs a “personal” account, or mentions “Basic Display” in its settings.

If your feed updates normally after December 2024, it already uses the Instagram API and you do not need to do anything.

How to fix it

1. Switch your Instagram account to a professional account (Business or Creator), if it is not one already. Your posts and followers stay as they are.
2. Use a feed tool that connects through the Instagram API. Update the plugin you use if it has a newer version, or move to a service that supports the Instagram API.
3. Reconnect your account and replace the old code. Remove the old feed code or plugin so that the broken feed does not stay on the page.

How Social Feed by grip space connects

Social Feed by grip space connects through the official Instagram API. You sign in with Instagram and allow access to your profile and posts; a Facebook Page is not needed. The connection is renewed automatically in the background, so you do not need to reconnect every few weeks. You paste one embed code on your site, and new posts appear without changing the code. See the step-by-step guides for WordPress and Shopify.