How to Embed Instagram in WordPress

Ever wonder how you can show off your pictures on WordPress, or if it’s worth the effort? You’re in luck, as this article is all about Instagram. You’ll even learn why you should be using Instagram as well as how to embed Instagram in WordPress.

What is Instagram?

Instagram is a social network that allows users to share videos and photos and is owned by Meta Platforms, the same owner of Facebook. Instagram began in 2010, and as of 2023, there are well over 2 billion users.

Why embed Instagram in WordPress?

• Adds dynamic visual content for your website’s visitors to enjoy, but positively adds to the aesthetic look of your site’s design.

• You can add video testimonials to your Instagram channel, and your embedded feed can be used to display customer feedback.

• It’s a way to build social proof.

• You can link your Instagram posts to your shop.

• You can attract new followers to your Instagram handle.

Adds dynamic visual content for your website’s visitors to enjoy, but positively add to the aesthetic look of your site’s design.

Using images in your website’s design can attract people to want to stay on your website longer. In fact, 91% of consumers prefer visual content to written content.

You can add video testimonials to your Instagram channel, and your embedded feed can be used to display customer feedback.

You can either upload video or image testimonials from your clients, and embed your Instagram feed, so it displays only those types of posts. This can save you from using a testimonials plugin or adding them through an alternate method. If you’re not adding testimonials to your company’s website, you should, as statistics say that displaying testimonials can help encourage people to buy from you by 34%.

It’s a way to build social proof.

When you post pictures of yourself and others, in regards to your business or you personally, you will eventually build trust with your followers.

You can link your Instagram posts to your shop.

Instagram gives you the ability to utilize their tools to add a call to action, that is great for linking your social media post to your product page on your website. Over 130 million Instagram users click on shopping posts every month, so make sure you take advantage of this feature.

You can attract new followers to your Instagram handle.

Adding your Instagram handle or embedding the posts in WordPress can get you new followers.

4 Steps to Embed Instagram in WordPress

1. Install the plugin named Smash Balloon Social Photo Feed.

2. Create a feed.

3. Customize the look of Instagram feed.

4. Add a shortcode to content or a widget to embed Instagram in WordPress

1. Install the plugin named Smash Balloon Social Photo Feed.

For this tutorial, you’ll be using the Smash Ballon Social Photo Feed plugin, which used to be called Instagram feed. This plugin is really handy and for most cases, you only need the free version. You can add your Instagram feed to this plugin’ settings, and display your posts on your website. Additionally, this plugin has a few features that allow you to customize the look of your feed.

To install Smash Balloon Social Photo Feed, go to your Plugins section of your WordPress admin area, and click “Add New”. Search for “Instagram Feed”.

Click the Install Now button and then click again when the button says Activate.

2. Create a feed.

To access the Smash Balloon Social Photo Feed plugin, navigate to the Instagram Feed menu item in your WordPress admin.

Click on the red Add New button to start creating your feed to embed Instagram in WordPress.

By default, you will just click on the red Next button, as the User Timeline option will already be selected for you.

You will need to add a source or in this case, an Instagram handle, so click on the Add Source button. This will lead you to the Smash Balloon site, as they have tools to synchronize Instagram with the plugin. You will eventually be redirected back after successfully adding a resource, so don’t worry about being sent away from your site for this step.

On the Smash Balloon site, you’re going to want to specify your account type, and then log in. If you select Business, you will be prompted to log in using Facebook. Just make sure your Instagram and Facebook business pages are connected prior to this. Otherwise, just select the personal account type and then click the blue button that says “Login with Instagram”.

Smash Balloon will ask you if you will allow them to receive information about your Instagram account. Their connection is secure and no passwords are exchanged.

After you’ve allowed Smash Balloon to access info, you will need to verify that the site you’re trying to connect to the plugin and Instagram is yours.

Once you’ve verified, you’ll be redirected back to Smash Balloon’s settings within your WordPress admin. You will see the Instagram account that you can select as a source. Select the source, and then click the red Next button.

3. Customize the look of Instagram feed.

Now that you’ve selected your Instagram feed source, you can now customize the look of your pics. While you adjust each setting, you get a live preview of your changes. Really cool, right?

Here are some areas in the Customize settings for your Instagram feed to take note of:

• Feed Layout

• Color Scheme

• Header

• Posts

• Load More Button

• Follow Button

Feed Layout

In the free version of Smash Balloon Social Photo Feed, you will only have the option to display posts in a grid format. If you wish to have more feed layout options, you will need to upgrade the plugin to a paid plan.

Other than the layout option, you can specify how many posts to display, as well as how many columns you want, and how much space or padding you wish to have between each photo.

Color Scheme

You can customize the background and button colors, have a light theme, dark theme, or choose to let the plugin try to work with your chosen theme.

Header

With the free version of the plugin you only have a standard header display which you can show your Instagram handle and a short bio, or to disable those areas.

Posts

The only option available in the Post sections is to display what size of photo you want to use for your Instagram feed.

Load More Button

The Load More button allows you to display a few posts, and give your visitors an option to view more. In case you don’t want this option, you can disable this option.

Follow Button

The Follow button gives your Instagram feed an extra call to action. Visitors can click to follow. You can customize the colors of your button or disable the option.

4. Add a shortcode to content or a widget to embed Instagram in WordPress

Each feed that you create, generates a shortcode that you can use in your content or widgets on your website. Simply copy the shortcode and paste it where you want it.

However, as a note, if you’re using the Gutenberg content block editor, there’s a special Instagram Feed content block you can use when editing a post or page.

In Summary

Does having an Instagram feed on your WordPress site sound beneficial to you? If so, feel free to bookmark this tutorial and use it so you can embed Instagram in WordPress. Hopefully displaying your Instagram photos on your website will bring you more followers, and possibly help make you some money.

Embedding an Instagram feed into your WordPress website can significantly enhance user engagement and boost your online presence. To streamline this process and ensure optimal performance, consider choosing one of our tailored hosting plans for WordPress.

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