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Instagram recently informed users that it will phase out its Basic Display API. Until now, Avada (as well as most of the Instagram plugins for WordPress) has relied on that API to connect Instagram accounts to a user’s website and display the feed.
The Basic Display API will be deprecated as of December 4, 2024, affecting anyone using the Avada Instagram Element on their site. But don’t worry; we have you covered. This post will provide some background information and the next steps. Let us first examine the background of this change.
The Background
To handle authentication requests to any of the Meta APIs, any 3rd party business that wants to provide a service to their customers (like the Avada Instagram Element) must register their own App with Meta. Meta investigates such an app heavily to ensure its data usage complies with all its regulations. While we had a working App registered with Meta until now, due to their changes, it will become obsolete. We have had to register a new App with them and go through all of the approval procedures, which turned out to be running the gauntlet.
While waiting for approval for quite some time, we could get our app registered and work with Meta earlier this week to deliver the updates to our customers on time.
How to Adapt
The new authentication process will be part of the upcoming Avada 7.11.12 update. In the interim, until this update is sent out, we will release an Avada Patch for this functionality so that everyone can update their Avada installations. If you have an Instagram business or creator account, all you have to do is reconnect your account to your site, as described in this Avada help file
If you use a personal account, you must perform a few additional steps. Unfortunately, Meta has decided that moving forward, they won’t allow access to personal accounts via their APIs any longer, meaning that starting December 4, 2024, only creator and business account feeds can be displayed outside of Instagram.
There is good news! A personal account can be changed to either a creator or a business account quickly and for free (and you can revert at any time). Please find the necessary steps in this Instagram help file
TL; DR
Starting December 4, 2024, Meta is phasing out its Instagram Basic Display API, meaning that personal Instagram account feeds won’t automatically update on your website. To get your Instagram feed back on track, install the Avada Patch and switch to an Instagram creator or business account.
