The Instagram Basic Display API shut down on December 4, 2024. If your Instagram feed stopped updating or went blank around that time, that’s why.
The good news: there’s a clear fix, and it doesn’t take long. Meta replaced the Basic Display API with a new authentication system called Instagram API with Instagram Login, and Smash Balloon Social Photo Feed and Smash Balloon Instagram Feed Pro already support it.
Whether you have a personal Instagram account, a creator account, or a business account, you can reconnect your feed and get it pulling in fresh content again.
I’ll walk you through exactly what changed and the reconnection steps for each account type.
What Replaced the Instagram Basic Display API?
Meta replaced the Basic Display API with Instagram API with Instagram Login on December 4, 2024. This new API supports personal accounts, business accounts, and creator accounts.
To reconnect your Instagram feed, you’ll need to re-authorize your account through Smash Balloon Social Photo Feed using the new login flow. For personal accounts, it takes about 2 minutes. Business and creator accounts follow a slightly different process that requires a connected Facebook Page.
The full reconnection steps for both account types are below.
What Do I Need to Know?
Meta shut down the Instagram Basic Display API on December 4, 2024. The Basic Display API was the system that let tools like Smash Balloon Social Photo Feed connect to personal Instagram accounts and display your photos and videos on your website.
When Meta ended support, any Instagram feed that relied on this API stopped receiving new content.
Smash Balloon’s caching system temporarily preserves a copy of your existing feed, but without reconnecting, your feed is not pulling in fresh posts.
The replacement is called Instagram API with Instagram Login. It serves the same purpose as the Basic Display API but uses an updated authentication method that Meta considers more secure and long-term sustainable. Smash Balloon already supports it, so reconnecting is straightforward.
What Is Instagram API with Instagram Login?
Instagram API with Instagram Login is the official replacement for the Basic Display API. Meta introduced it to give developers a more stable, long-term way to connect Instagram accounts to third-party tools and WordPress plugins.
The key thing to know: this API supports personal Instagram accounts, business accounts, and creator accounts. So regardless of account type, you can reconnect your Smash Balloon Instagram feed using this new system.
One practical difference during reconnection: the new login flow takes you through an Instagram authorization screen directly, rather than through a separate Facebook-connected flow.
For business and creator accounts, you may still need a connected Facebook Page if you want to display Instagram hashtag feeds or mention feeds. Those features still require the Facebook connection.
Will My Instagram Feeds Continue to Work?
Smash Balloon’s Instagram Feeds plugin uses a smart caching system that saves a copy of your Instagram feed, so even if the Basic Display API stops working completely, your visitors may still see your feed from when it was last connected.
However, this feed will not be updated.
This means if you haven’t switched to the Instagram Graph API, your existing Instagram feeds may still show up on your website, but it will not be updated with your latest Instagram posts.
What Happens to My Existing Connected Account?
If your Instagram account was connected before December 4, 2024 using the old Basic Display API, that connection is now broken. Your feed may still display cached content, but it will not pull in any new posts until you reconnect using the steps below.
You will not lose your feed layout, customization settings, or any cached content from before the shutdown. Reconnecting gives Smash Balloon a fresh authorization token through the new API. Think of it as re-logging in rather than starting from scratch.
Once you reconnect, your feed starts pulling in new posts immediately.
What Do I Need to Do?
To ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted feed display on your WordPress site, you’ll need to switch over to the Instagram Graph API immediately.
Here’s why we strongly encourage you to make the switch as soon as possible:
- Keep your content fresh: While your existing Instagram content will remain visible on your website for a short period after the deadline thanks to our plugin’s caching system, only switching over to the Instagram Graph API will ensure your feed continues to pull in your newest posts.
- Seamless transition: We’ll provide you with all the guidance you need to make the switch. By migrating early, you can avoid any potential last-minute hiccups.
- Future-proof your website: The Instagram Graph API is the future of how websites connect with Instagram content. Switching over to the Instagram Graph API now means you’re prepared for the long term.
How to Reconnect Your Instagram Feed
There are two connection types to choose from when reconnecting: Business Basic and Business Advanced. Which one you need depends on what kind of feed you’re displaying.
Business Basic is the right choice if you just want to show posts from a single Instagram account. You don’t need a Facebook Page for this, and it’s the most common path for people who were previously on a personal account connection.
Business Advanced is for anyone who needs hashtag feeds, mention feeds, or wants to manage multiple Instagram accounts under one connection. This one does require a Facebook Page linked to your Instagram account.
Before You Reconnect: Convert Your Instagram to a Professional Account
This step applies to anyone who was previously connected through a personal Instagram account. As of December 4, 2024, Meta no longer allows personal accounts to connect to third-party tools. You need to switch your account to either a Business or Creator profile first.
To do it: go to the Instagram app, tap Settings > Account > Switch to Professional Account. Choose Business or Creator. Both work with the plugin. It’s free, and it doesn’t change how your profile looks to your followers.
Once you’ve converted, come back here and follow the reconnection steps below.
Reconnecting as Business Basic (No Facebook Required)
Step 1: Go to Manage Sources
In your WordPress dashboard, go to Instagram Feed > Settings > General > Manage Sources.
Step 2: Find the Source Invalid warning and click Reconnect
Your previously connected account will show a “Source Invalid” notice. Click Reconnect next to it. This is different from adding a brand-new source — clicking Reconnect is what carries over your existing feed settings.
Step 3: Choose Business Basic
On the connection page, select Business Basic. This is the right option if you’re migrating from a personal account and don’t need hashtag or mention feeds.
Step 4: Authorize with Instagram
Click Connect and follow the Instagram authorization prompts. Grant the requested permissions when asked.
Step 5: Confirm your domain and verify the connection
Once redirected back to your site, confirm your domain when prompted. Then check back in Manage Sources to confirm the Source Invalid warning is gone. When it is, your feed will start pulling in fresh content.
Reconnecting as Business Advanced (Facebook Required)
Use this path if you need hashtag feeds, mention feeds, or want to connect multiple Instagram accounts.
Before you start: Make sure your Instagram account is already linked to a Facebook Page. This is a Meta requirement for Business Advanced. If it’s not linked yet, do that first in your Instagram settings before continuing.
Step 1: Go to Manage Sources
In your WordPress dashboard, go to Instagram Feed > Settings > General > Manage Sources.
Step 2: Find the Source Invalid warning and click Reconnect
Click Reconnect next to the account showing “Source Invalid.”
Step 3: Choose Business Advanced
On the connection page, select Business Advanced.
Step 4: Authorize through Facebook
Follow the prompts to connect through Facebook. Select the Facebook Page linked to your Instagram account and grant the requested permissions.
Step 5: Confirm your domain and verify the connection
Once redirected back, confirm your domain. Check Manage Sources to confirm the warning is cleared and your account is showing as connected.
My Personal Thoughts on the API Change
Although there is some inconvenience with the need to migrate connected accounts, this change does help simplify things for customers in the long run.
Since Instagram (Meta) will be managing just one main API, they can dedicate more resources to improving performance, offering additional services and fixing bugs more quickly.
The new Instagram Graph API itself comes with lots of benefits. It opens up a whole world of possibilities, especially for users with our Instagram Feed Pro plan.
Upgrading to Instagram Feed Pro gives you access to more advanced features such as embedding Instagram hashtag feeds, showing comments or displaying the number of likes and comments for each post.
And the best part? By using the Instagram Graph API, you can seamlessly access these advanced features without any complicated setup or additional connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What replaced the Instagram Basic Display API?
Meta replaced the Basic Display API with Instagram API with Instagram Login on December 4, 2024. This new API supports personal accounts, business accounts, and creator accounts. If you use Smash Balloon Social Photo Feed, you can reconnect your account through the plugin’s source settings using the steps above.
When did Instagram shut down the Basic Display API?
Meta officially shut down the Basic Display API on December 4, 2024. Any feeds connected through this API stopped receiving new content on or after that date. If your feed went blank or stopped updating around that time, the API shutdown is the cause.
How do I reconnect Instagram after the API shutdown?
Start by converting your Instagram account to a Professional account (Business or Creator) if you haven’t already — personal accounts can no longer connect to the API. Once converted, go to Instagram Feed > Settings > General > Manage Sources in WordPress, click Reconnect next to the “Source Invalid” account, and choose either Business Basic (no Facebook required, single account) or Business Advanced (Facebook required, hashtag and mention feeds). The whole process takes a few minutes.
What is Instagram API with Instagram Login?
It’s the official replacement for the Basic Display API. Meta designed it to be more secure and to support a wider range of Instagram account types than its predecessor. From a user perspective, the main difference is an updated authorization screen during reconnection. The process is faster and more direct than the old flow.
What’s Next?
Smash Balloon is known for its reliability and simplicity.
One thing customers are always happy with is how quickly Smash Balloon adjusts to API changes to make sure everyone’s feeds continue to display Instagram content with minimal effort needed.
Our priority is to make sure your Instagram feed continues to work flawlessly, and we’re confident this transition will be no different. We’ve got you covered!
Have an expired license, or haven’t upgraded to the Pro version yet?
Here are the top reasons why now is the best time to renew or switch to a premium plan:
- Priority Support: Our expert support team will be your personal guides, ensuring a smooth and worry-free transition to the new API.
Have questions or need a helping hand with converting your accounts? Our expert support staff will help you in any way they can to make sure your Instagram feeds continue to work with this change.
- Unlock Powerful Features: Get more control over your Instagram feeds so you can reach more people and boost your followers, engagement and sales. Check out all the amazing features waiting for you on our Instagram Feed Pro page.
Ready to upgrade and rest easy knowing your Instagram feed is in the best hands possible?
Get started with Smash Balloon Pro today!
