Facebook opens Messenger API for Instagram to all developers

Facebook at its virtual developer conference announced to open up its Messenger API for Instagram at a global scale. With the API, businesses will be able to integrate their Instagram messages into any third-party application – such as a CRM platform or social media management tool like Hootsuite – and handle them with ease from a streamlined place.

Facebook has long been allowing businesses to do so on its platform. In a blog post, the company mentioned that 90 percent of Instagram users follow at least one business. The Messenger API for Instagram means a wider reach to Facebook’s platforms.

The API is intended for Instagram Businesses who need to manage their IG DMs at scale when multiple live care agents are needed to reply and attend to customer enquiries.

Facebook for Developers

Developers willing to start building on the platform can access the API from now onwards, while business accounts on Instagram will see a phased approach. Currently, Instagram accounts having 10,000 to 100,000 followers are able to connect to the API as part of the first phase. The second phase will include accounts with between 1,000 to 100,000 followers and will roll out in July, and the remaining accounts by the end of Q3.

It is important to note that you need to have a business account to access the API as it cannot be accessed with Instagram non-business accounts. Also, the API does not support group threads but can be used to respond to public comments with private messages. The requirements to access the Messenger API for Instagram are available here.