I set up n8n on my linux server to check out the basic start: post something on my personal Instagram account.
I know dealing with the APIs is the hardest part, so I want to start super simple.
I went deeper and deeper in the rabbit hole of creating the damn API key and get it to work.
Changing the account to business, creating a meta app, giving roles, setting up a link to privacy policies (what?) setting the App to LIVE, setting up more shit, adding permissions - and now I got to the point where I shall connect a business portfolio to that app, to get a review to get the needed permissions, and I’m about to stop.
Honestly, who in the world should be able to do that?
Or did I take a wrong turn on my way? I just want to post an image on Instagram with n8n, how hard can it be.
No, you’re okay
The Meta APIs (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram) are really annoying, especially if you want to interact with them directly without third-party services..
Hopefully, someone who has successfully met their requirements can help you soon,
And if you want to do totally free. You are close as you figured out most things. I setup a similar instagram automation for myself. Check the graph api documentation for how to create containers.
Don’t use built in n8n facebook node, it is still in v22 version while graph api has changed to v23 version.
Use raw http requests for creating container and publishing. You can also upload carousals and reels. It can all be done by patiently reading the documentation if you are technical enough.
And if you still need help further. Reply here or you can message me whatsapp: +918179976959
I managed to create an user api key that does not expire in the meta.business portal last week.
I am successfully using it to create and publish instagram posts via n8n since.
The problem is I tried so many different things that I don‘t know what exactly is required to do and what is not.
Things I did: Created a meta business account and added a project, a Facebook page and the instagram account. Then I created a few apps (and added them to the business account via their IDs) in the developer portal and tried to add instagram API to them, that never worked, either the buttons were not where they should be or some error occurred. Nevertheless I was able to generate a user token via the Graph api Explorer, that even though it had no instagram-anything selected was usable to use instagram via the graph api in n8n (strange but true), but the token always expired after an hour (even when prolonged with the debugger). Thereafter I added a system-user to the meta business account and assigned and authorised this user for everything I could find (apps, instagram, Facebook page…). After that I used system-user→generate Token and for some reason all auth-properties including instagram where available as well as the option „no expiration“. That resulted in the token I have been using with n8n Facebook graph api node to post on instagram for the last 8 days or so.
I did not apply for an app-review.
There where some try and errors which the IDs to use with the key, looks like it needs to be the instagram user ID, not the system-user ID of the user that generated the key.
