CODEWITHSUNDEEP
facebookinstagram-api
Parakoos
Parakoos

Reputation: 1323

Instagram Basic API and Business Verification

I've had a working integration between Instagram and my app (https://phojo.app) for a couple of years. It uses the Instagram Basic Display API and I've gone through the App Review and Individual Verification.

On 31 August, I got an email from Facebook with the following:

In order for Phojo to retain advanced access to the instagram_graph_user_media permission, the app must be connected to a Meta Business Account that has completed business verification. If business verification is not completed by September 15, 2022, advanced access to this permission will be revoked.

My first question is why I even need to do Business Verification for using the Instagram Basic Display API? Is the secret in the word 'advanced' in "advanced access to the instagram_graph_user_media permission"? Is there a basic access to the API?

Second question is if there is something I can do to get around the Business Verification? Can you tell Meta that, "Hey, I'm not a business, but I'm still a serious app creator." Is there anywhere I can turn to discuss this with a Facebook support staff directly?

Upvotes: 1

Views: 1940

Answers (2)

McLovin
McLovin

Reputation: 1601

According to the documentation, business verification is required.

While your app is in Development Mode it will only be able to access data in Instagram Tester accounts. Before you can switch your app to Live Mode and access data in non-tester accounts, you must first complete Business Verification.

Upvotes: 0

Sayontan
Sayontan

Reputation: 78

I faced the same problem with my app, and I opened a bug report with them. After some tedious back and forth where I provided them with tokens, sample code etc., they came back with this response:

Due to a recent change, Individual Verification has been removed for the 'instagram_graph_user_media' permission and in order to retain access to the permission, the app must be connected to a Meta Business Account that has completed business verification. You may read more about business verification here: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/development/release/business-verification

We apologize for the inconvenience this might have caused.

There is no way around this, and you have to go through setting up a business and a business account to continue offering your app.

Upvotes: 2

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