> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.superhost.world/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect Instagram

> Link a property's Instagram account so guest DMs arrive in your Chats tab — and learn the reply-window rules Instagram enforces.

export const RoleNote = ({children}) => <Note>
    What you can see and do depends on your role on the property. If a button or
    screen described here isn't visible to you, ask a property Manager to check
    your role. See <a href="/team/roles-and-permissions">Roles & permissions</a>.
  </Note>;

Connect a property's Instagram account and the direct messages guests send it
land in the **Chats** tab, alongside your other guest conversations. It's the
place inbound Instagram inquiries turn into direct bookings.

<RoleNote />

You set this up from the property's **Integrations** settings: open the
property's **Settings**, then tap **Integrations**. Instagram sits under the
**Messaging** section.

## Before you start

* The account must be an Instagram **Business** or **Creator** account. Personal
  accounts can't connect (Instagram doesn't offer them an API).
* The connection runs through Instagram's official sign-in flow, which opens in
  your device browser. Have your Instagram login handy.

## Connect an account

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Integrations">
    From the property's **Settings**, tap **Integrations**. The **Instagram**
    card sits under **Messaging** and shows its current status.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the connection">
    Tap **Connect Instagram**. Superhost opens Instagram's sign-in flow in your
    device browser.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sign in and authorize">
    In the browser, sign in to Instagram and approve the requested access. This
    part runs on Instagram's pages, not in Superhost.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Return to the app">
    When you finish, you come back to the app and see **Instagram connected**.
    The card then shows a **Connected** status.

    If the setup wasn't completed, you'll see a message asking you to tap
    **Connect** to try again — nothing is linked until Instagram confirms it.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  The sign-in runs in your device browser because Instagram's flow can't run
  inside the app. If you close the browser or cancel partway through, nothing is
  linked — just tap **Connect Instagram** again to restart.
</Note>

## How Instagram messaging works

Instagram messaging works differently from every other channel, and the rules
are set by Instagram — not by Superhost. Knowing them avoids surprises.

**The guest always messages first.** You can't start an Instagram conversation
or send proactive or marketing messages. There are no templates and no
broadcasts. Instagram is for *replying* to people who reach out to you first.

**You have 24 hours to reply freely.** Each time a guest messages you, a
24-hour window opens in which you can reply normally — including with an
AI-drafted reply. Every new message from the guest resets the 24 hours.

**After 24 hours, only a human reply, for up to 7 days.** Once the 24-hour
window passes, you can still reply for up to 7 days — but the reply has to come
from a person on your team, not the AI, and only to help with a genuine
question, not to promote. This is Instagram's rule for late replies.

**After that, the window closes.** If more than 7 days pass with no new message
from the guest, you can't reply until they message again. The composer shows
this and won't let you type a reply that Instagram would reject.

<Warning>
  These windows are Instagram's, and Superhost enforces them so a reply can't
  fail after you've typed it. If a conversation looks locked, it's because the
  guest hasn't messaged within the window — a new message from them reopens it.
</Warning>

## Where guest messages go

Once Instagram is connected, DMs guests send to that account arrive in the
**Chats** tab as guest conversations, tagged **Instagram**, so you reply from
the same place as the rest of your guest messaging.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Guest conversations" icon="comments" href="/messaging/conversations">
    See and reply to guest messages in the Chats tab.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect WhatsApp" icon="whatsapp" href="/channels/connect-whatsapp">
    Add a WhatsApp Business number to this property.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Reconnecting or fixing a connection

If the account ever needs re-linking, the card's button changes:

* **Reconnect** repeats the sign-in flow for an already-linked account.
* **Retry connection** appears if the last attempt ended in an error. The card
  also shows the reason under **Last attempt failed**.

<Tip>
  A connection can drop if you change your Instagram password or revoke access
  from Instagram's side. Tap **Reconnect** to restore it.
</Tip>