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

# Connect Instagram Channel

> **Who can use this?**
>
> * Gallabox users with **channel management permissions**.
> * Roles: Owners and Admins
> * Plans: Available on all plans. Basic plan includes the Instagram channel (1 handle) and comment automation. AI-based DM automation requires Essential or Advanced.

## Plan Availability

Connecting one Instagram handle is available on all Gallabox plans. See [Instagram DM Conversations](/instagram/instagram-dm-conversations#plan-availability) and [Comment Automation](/instagram/comment-automation#plan-availability) for feature-specific availability.

## What is the Instagram Channel?

Connecting Instagram to Gallabox brings your Instagram DMs and comment automation into the same shared Inbox as your WhatsApp conversations.

With the Instagram channel connected, you can:

* **Receive Instagram DMs** in Gallabox's omnichannel inbox
* **Reply to Instagram conversations** from Gallabox (within the 24-hour messaging window)
* **Automate comment replies** using AI — for posts, Reels, and Carousels
* **Route Instagram conversations** to specific team members or AI agents
* **Use Chat AI Agents on Instagram** to auto-respond to DMs

<Info>
  The Instagram channel in Gallabox works with **Instagram Professional accounts** only — Business or Creator accounts. Personal Instagram accounts cannot be connected.
</Info>

## Prerequisites

Before connecting, make sure you have:

1. **An Instagram Professional account** — Business or Creator account (not personal). Go to Instagram Settings → Account → Switch to Professional Account.
2. **Access to that Instagram account** — you will log in to Instagram directly and grant Gallabox permission to manage messages and comments.

<Info>
  Gallabox uses Instagram's direct connection. A Facebook Page is not required.
</Info>

## How to Connect

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prepare your Instagram account">
    **In Instagram:**

    1. Open Instagram and go to **Settings → Account**.
    2. Tap **Switch to Professional Account** (if not already done). Choose **Business** or **Creator**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect in Gallabox">
    1. Go to **Channels** in the left navigation of Gallabox.
    2. Click **Connect Your Channels** or navigate directly to **Channels → Instagram**.
    3. Click **Connect Instagram**.
    4. Log in directly with the Instagram Professional account you want to connect.
    5. Grant all requested permissions when prompted — these allow Gallabox to read and send messages on your behalf.
    6. After logging in, you'll be redirected back to Gallabox. Your Instagram channel will show as **Connected**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure channel settings">
    After connecting, go to **Channels → Instagram → Settings** to configure:

    * **Channel name** — a friendly name to identify this Instagram account (e.g., "Main Store IG")
    * **Auto-assignment** — route new Instagram conversations to a specific team or inbox
    * **AI Agent** — connect a Chat AI Agent to handle Instagram DMs automatically

    <Check>
      **Pro tip:** Immediately after connecting, go to **Channels → Instagram → Settings → Assignment Rules** and set a routing rule. Unlike WhatsApp, Instagram conversations may not auto-populate in your inbox without an assignment rule being configured.
    </Check>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What to Do After Connecting

### Set up Comment Automation

To enable comment automation, go to **Channels → Instagram → Comment Automation**. For full setup, modes, and management, see [Instagram Comment Automation](/instagram/comment-automation).

### Connect a Chat AI Agent

To have AI handle Instagram DMs automatically (not just comments):

1. Go to **AI Agents and Bots → Create New → Chat AI Agent**.
2. In **Step 3 — Customize Agent Details**, enable **Instagram** as a channel.
3. Write the agent's instructions and connect a Knowledge Base.
4. Save and activate.

<Info>
  Chat AI Agents on Instagram handle **DMs** (conversations) when a customer initiates contact. The agent responds to incoming messages — it cannot proactively send outbound messages. Comment automation is managed separately from the Chat AI Agent and runs on its own logic.
</Info>

## Understanding Instagram Messaging Limits

Instagram has a 24-hour messaging window — see [Instagram DM Conversations](/instagram/instagram-dm-conversations#the-24-hour-messaging-window) for how it works and what to do when it closes.

## FAQs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I connected Instagram but I'm not receiving DMs — what do I check?">
    Check in this order:

    1. **Is your Instagram a Professional (Business or Creator) account?** Personal accounts cannot be connected. Go to Instagram Settings → Account → Switch to Professional Account.
    2. **Does Gallabox have the right permissions?** Make sure you granted all permissions during the Instagram login step. If you skipped permissions, disconnect and reconnect.
    3. **Has the customer messaged you first?** Gallabox only receives messages from contacts who have sent you a DM first. If a customer hasn't messaged you, you cannot initiate contact.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My Instagram is connected but auto-assignment isn't working — why?">
    Unlike WhatsApp, Instagram conversations require an explicit assignment rule to route to a team or inbox. Go to **Channels → Instagram → Settings → Assignment Rules** and set a routing rule. If no rule is set, conversations may not appear in your team's inbox.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I send proactive messages on Instagram?">
    No. Meta only allows businesses to send free-form messages to Instagram users within 24 hours of the user's last message. After that window closes, you cannot send any outbound message on Instagram — only the user can re-initiate contact. For proactive outreach, use WhatsApp with pre-approved template messages.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I connected Instagram but analytics show data as 'Others' — why?">
    Instagram traffic may appear as "Others" in the dashboard instead of being attributed to Instagram. This does not affect your ability to receive or reply to messages. Use Instagram Insights to track Instagram performance when this occurs.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I connect multiple Instagram accounts?">
    Yes — each Instagram Professional account requires its own connection. If you manage multiple brand accounts, connect each one separately in Gallabox and configure routing rules for each.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related Articles

* [Instagram DM Conversations](/instagram/instagram-dm-conversations) — How DMs work, message types, and the 24-hour window
* [Instagram vs WhatsApp](/instagram/instagram-vs-whatsapp) — Feature comparison to help you choose when to use each channel
* [Chat AI Agent Channel Behaviour](/ai-agents-and-bots/chat-ai-agent/channel-behaviour) — How AI agents behave differently on Instagram vs WhatsApp
* [Connect WhatsApp Channel](/whatsapp/connect-your-whatsapp) — Connect WhatsApp alongside Instagram