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

# How to Connect Your Instagram Account to WilloSend

> Link your Instagram Business or Creator account to WilloSend in minutes using Meta's official OAuth — no passwords shared, no code required.

Before WilloSend can send automated DMs on your behalf, you need to authorize the connection between your Instagram account and the WilloSend dashboard. The entire process runs through Meta's official OAuth flow, so you stay fully compliant with Instagram's terms of service from day one.

## Prerequisites

WilloSend connects exclusively through the official Meta Business API. Make sure your account meets both requirements below before you start.

<Warning>
  Personal Instagram accounts cannot connect to WilloSend. Meta restricts API access to Business and Creator accounts only. If your account is still personal, switch it first — the process takes about two minutes and is completely free.
</Warning>

**Your account must be:**

* A **Business** or **Creator** account (not a personal account)
* Linked to a **Facebook Page**

See [Account Requirements](/help/account-requirements) for a full breakdown of what WilloSend needs and why.

### Switch to a Professional Account

If your account is currently personal, follow these steps inside the Instagram app:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open your profile">
    Tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner of the Instagram app to go to your profile page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Settings">
    Tap the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top-right corner, then tap **Settings and privacy**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find Account type and tools">
    Scroll down and tap **Account type and tools**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Switch to a professional account">
    Tap **Switch to professional account** and follow the prompts. Choose **Creator** if you are an individual influencer or content creator, or **Business** if you represent a brand or company. Both work perfectly with WilloSend.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Link Your Instagram to a Facebook Page

Meta requires your Instagram account to be linked to a Facebook Page before any third-party tool can connect via the API. If you have already done this, skip ahead to the connection steps.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Instagram Settings">
    From your profile, tap ☰ → **Settings and privacy**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Account settings">
    Tap **Account**, then tap **Linked accounts**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect Facebook">
    Tap **Facebook** and log in to the Facebook account that owns your Page. Select the specific Page you want to link and confirm.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  If you do not yet have a Facebook Page, create one at [facebook.com/pages/create](https://facebook.com/pages/create). You can use any Page — it does not need to have followers or any published posts.
</Note>

***

## Connect Your Account in WilloSend

Once your Instagram account is a Business or Creator account and is linked to a Facebook Page, you are ready to connect.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the WilloSend dashboard">
    Log in to your WilloSend account at [app.willosend.com](https://app.willosend.com) and navigate to **Settings → Connected Accounts**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Connect Instagram">
    Click the **Connect Instagram** button. A secure popup window will appear — this is Meta's own OAuth dialog, not a WilloSend screen.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Log in with Facebook">
    In the OAuth popup, log in with the Facebook account that owns the Page linked to your Instagram. If you are already logged in to Facebook in your browser, this step happens automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your Facebook Page">
    From the list of Pages shown, select the Page that is linked to the Instagram account you want to automate. If you manage multiple Pages, take care to choose the correct one.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Grant the required permissions">
    Review and approve the two permissions WilloSend requests:

    * **Read comments** — allows WilloSend to detect when a follower comments your keyword on a post
    * **Send messages** — allows WilloSend to deliver the automated DM to that follower

    Both permissions are required. If you decline either one, the automation cannot function.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the connection">
    After granting permissions, the OAuth window closes and you are returned to the WilloSend dashboard. You will see your Instagram handle listed under **Connected Accounts** with a green status indicator.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## What WilloSend Can and Cannot Do

<Info>
  WilloSend requests only the minimum permissions needed to run your automations. It can read comments on your posts and send DMs to users who trigger a keyword. It cannot post content, delete comments, access your inbox history, or modify your profile in any way.
</Info>

| Permission    | Why WilloSend needs it                               |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| Read comments | Detects when a follower types your keyword on a post |
| Send messages | Delivers the automated DM to that follower instantly |

<Note>
  WilloSend **never** receives or stores your Instagram password. The connection is managed entirely through a secure OAuth token issued by Meta — the same technology used by every official Meta partner app.
</Note>

***

## Managing Multiple Instagram Accounts

<Tip>
  If you manage Instagram accounts for multiple clients or brands, the **Growth plan** supports up to 3 connected Instagram accounts under a single WilloSend subscription. Each account is connected and managed independently — automations for one account never affect another.
</Tip>

To add a second or third account, return to **Settings → Connected Accounts** and click **Connect Instagram** again. Repeat the OAuth flow for each account. You can switch between accounts from the account selector at the top of the dashboard.

***

## Next Step

With your account connected, you are ready to build your first automation. Head to [Create Your First Automation](/setup/create-automation) to set up a keyword trigger and write your DM.