Instagram connection types and differences
Instagram can be connected in two ways, and each option gives access to a different set of features and data.
Two ways to connect your Instagram account
You can connect Instagram in two different ways. Both let you schedule content and access some metrics, but they use different Meta APIs, so the available features and data history are not the same.
Available connection options
Through Facebook
Uses the Instagram Graph API. This option is more stable and gives access to more features and more complete data. You connect a professional Instagram account through a linked Facebook Page.
This is the recommended option if you want the widest feature access.Instagram login only
Uses the Instagram Basic Display API, also called the standalone connection. You log in directly with your Instagram username and password. This option is more limited and may be less stable.
If you switch from one connection method to the other, the new connection is treated as a separate connection and does not keep the old data history.
If you reconnect your account with the same method you used before, you recover the historical metrics already stored.
Follower and Story data are only recorded while that specific connection is active, so data collected through the other connection type cannot be recovered.
For more on historical metrics, see Available data history.
Feature differences by connection type
The Facebook connection gives access to more features and usually has fewer technical issues.
Feature | Facebook connection | Instagram login only |
|---|---|---|
Full analytics | ✅ | ❌ [4] |
Competitor tracking | ✅ | ❌ |
Best times to post [1] | ✅ | ✅ |
Schedule Stories [2] | ✅ | ✅ |
First comment | ✅ | ✅ |
Product tagging | ✅ | ❌ |
Boost posts [3] | ✅ | ❌ |
Inbox | ✅ | ✅ |
[1] Best time data depends on the connection type: with Facebook, you get audience-specific stats; without Facebook, you get a general behavior-based estimate.
[2] Auto-publishing for Stories is only available for Business Instagram accounts.
[3] To boost posts, you also need to connect your Meta Ads account.
[4] No access to Story metrics or promoted data breakdown for posts and Reels.
Which option should you choose
If you only need to schedule basic content or check a limited set of metrics, Instagram login may be enough.
If you need the full feature set, including Inbox, Stories, product tagging, or advanced analytics, connect your account through Facebook.