Update on 28 november 2017 : you can no longer apply for Instagram API permissions. Only basic permission can be requested. For other, you have to find an approved provider, like Dialogfeed Instagram API. 

 The screenshot of Dialogfeed approval.
Impossible dream for any developper after 2017.

For Instagram API developpers, 2016 is a big earthquake: lots of Instagram based applications will close, due to new Instagram API update in June 2016.
Hereunder are some tips and alternatives for Instagram API review and submission, Dialogfeed is sharing to Instagram developpers, via our Instagram submission experience and successful permissions approvals.

Instagram API update : big issues for developpers and marketing

Why Instagram introduced this ?

This aims to limit third party inadequate uses of Instagram user contents and to increase trafic on Instagram.
This means applications such as photo readers or one-project widgets embed will soon have no more future with Instagram.

When is Instagram API update ?

All apps created after 17 november 2015 are in sandbox. All apps created before 17 nov are live until 1 June 2016, and after they fall into sandbox.
To get out of sandbox and get live, an app must go through Instagram submission process.

What is the submission process ?

This is a new step: you must make an online submission which requires a video / a description.

Prior to going Live, and being able to be used by people other than the developers of the app, these apps will have to go through a new review process. Please read the API documentation or the Change Log for more details.

What is the review process success rate ?

This is a big issue: most of developpers and providers on Quora, Stackoverflow and forums reported having their apps refused. Mainly because of use case definition such as one-off app, Instagram widget embedding… But often because of the lack of Instagram explanations about the deny cause.

Photo: Instagram API newest updates in June 2016 with a submission process for all applications

Tips to make your Instagram API submission & review

How long does it take to create the review submission answer?

Let’s say a bit more than 2 hours : understand how to answer and fit Instagram requirements: 60 min, do a video: 30 min, find a tool to upload it: 10 min and write a content: 30 min

How long does it take to get Instagram validation team answer ?

It usually takes 12/24 hours. It doesn’t seem to be validated by a robot but by a real human analyst.

Instagram just refused my app, what should I do ?

Check if your use case is not among Instagram “banned” cases such as embed widget on website, display posts on website, one off project or reading apps. Then re-apply again as long as it will be refused if you have time, or use an Instagram API third party supplier, like Dialogfeed (see under) which provides you with an Instagram raw data feed (hashtag or account contents).

If Instagram answer is negative, can a new answer be done ?

Yes, you can. But your former answer will be deleted. And you could lose time as your project will not correspond to their new guide lines and as it seems they want to limit number of partners.

Is there an alternative to Instagram API ?

Yes, you can use third party providers, like Dialogfeed as we have been approved by Instagram.
We provide you with a platform to create your widget or an API delivering Instagram feeds. Your choice.

You do a hashtag campaign or a widget on a website, is it possible ?

Instagram doesn’t allow this in live mode. Their answer if you try:

This use case is not supported. We do not approve the public_content permission for one-off projects such as displaying hashtag based content on your website. As alternative solution, you can show your own Instagram content, or find a company that offers this type of service (content discover, moderation, and display).

But it works in sandbox mode, with limited content quantity, what might not fit your need.

You do not need to submit for review for this use case. If you are a developer and you want to display Instagram content on your website, then you do not need to submit your app for review. By using a client in sandbox mode, you can still access the last 20 media of any sandbox user that grants you permission.

As sandbox may be limited for your requirements, the best way is to find a company offering this service. As there are no official list for this, you must search it but few companies have stated their Instagram API compliance, apart from several like Dialogfeed.

Is there a Instagram API approved supplier list or alternatives?

At Dialogfeed, we are Instagram API approved supplier and got Instagram permissions approvals.

There is no other way for instance than to ask each (rare) suppliers you found if they have Instagram approval upon needed permissions of your app uses cases.

Photo: Dialogfeed API enables to deliver Instagram data feeds (hashtags, accounts) to any B2B developers along with Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Youtube, Pinterest…

If you need Instagram API data, what is the solution ?

Solution 1: get your app approved or use Instagram sandbox, follow the guide lines, be lucky and patient…

From our experience, the following critera seem the most important

– Use case and permissions compliance : chose among these three and explain deeply how you fit to one.

To help individuals share their own content with 3rd party apps
To help brands and advertisers understand and manage their audience and digital media rights
To help broadcasters and publishers discover content, get digital rights to media, and share media with proper attribution

– Video screencast : there are very few information on this but it is a crucial point too. The best thing to do is to focus on the 3 following issues stated by Instagram.

Please make sure that the video clearly shows how your application works, including any Instagram login experience and the usage of every permission you are requesting.

Solution 2: use an Instagram API data agregator / provider like Dialogfeed

You can look for social feeds providers. There are 2 types:
– Social data feed providers like Dialogfeed: they perfectly replace Instagram API feed, by delivering you the requested data. You can get a JSON or XML data feeds via their API. You will get a standardized feed with main Instagram contents such as <content>, <author>, <image URL>, <date> or other fields normalized in a unique feed. You may also add other social media such as Facebook, Youtube, Pinterest, Linkedin or Twitter. Try  Dialogfeed social data feed.
– Social widget providers like Dialogfeed: if you need to build a widget to embed on a website, replace yours by a ready to use widget. There are some providers, but few are compliant with Instagram API as Dialogfeed is already. Dialogfeed allows you to embed right now your Instagram widget for your hashtag campaigns or live events.

Dialogfeed is among world pionners social media hub & social wall provider and powers hundreds of events throughout the world since 2012 ! Our service is Instagram API update compliant : we have gone through Instagram submission process and got all necessary permissions approved. You have the choice, take time to resubmit again (and again) your app or go to market now with Dialogfeed …