In this guide, we'll run through the steps required to import metrics from Instagram Insights into Airtable. Instagram Insights are used to report on how your Instagram content is performing with your audience. We'll cover how to import daily engagement insights such as 'Impressions', 'Profile views', and 'Reach' as well as metrics specific to a post such as 'Caption', 'Like count', 'Permalink' and 'Timestamp'.
Using the Data Fetcher extension, we can connect Instagram to Airtable without any code. We'll also schedule the Instagram Airtable integration to run automatically.
Please note: Instagram Insights (and the Instagram Insights API) are only available to Instagram Business users. All Instagram Business accounts need to be connected to a Facebook Business Page, and you'll need to be an admin of that Facebook page. You can find more information on converting your personal Instagram account to a business account here.
Install Data Fetcher
Install Data Fetcher from the Airtable marketplace and sign up for a free Data Fetcher account. Alternatively, use your Google account or if you already have a Data Fetcher account use the 'Have an account?' text in the bottom left of the screen to log in.
On the create request screen in Data Fetcher, for Application, select 'Instagram Insights' to use the Instagram Airtable integration.
Click on '+ New Instagram Insights connection' in order to connect the Instagram Insights API to Airtable. Via the popup Facebook interface, you'll be prompted to sign into your Instagram/Facebook business account and then select the Facebook page you want to connect to Airtable.
Next, allow Data Fetcher access to your Facebook/Instagram account.
Back in Data Fetcher, under Authorization, you'll now see the Instagram Airtable integration.
Import Daily Instagram Insights into Airtable Using the Instagram API
For the first example, we'll import Daily Instagram Insights such as 'Impressions', 'Profile views', and 'Reach'. These kinds of metrics are useful to discover how your audience engages with your Instagram content. You can find more information about Instagram Insights metrics here.
In Data Fetcher, for Endpoint choose 'Daily engagement insights'.
Give your Data fetcher request a name e.g. 'Import Daily Instagram Insights' and click 'Save & Continue'.
Select the Facebook Page associated with the Instagram account.
Then select all of the Metrics you would like to import from the Instagram API into Airtable. For this example, we are going to import 'Impressions', 'Profile views', and 'Reach'.
For Date range select '30 Days', this is the maximum time period you can choose. You also have the option to include today.
Select the Airtable table and View to import Instagram Insights metrics into.
And click 'Save & Run'.
Data Fetcher will run this request and the Response field mapping modal will open. This is where we map the fields from the Instagram API to fields in Airtable.
We'll map all of these fields from the Instagram API to new fields in the Airtable base. Once you're happy, click 'Save & Run'.
You'll now see your Instagram Insights data in your Airtable output table.
Import Instagram Post Metrics into Airtable Using the Instagram API
Next, we'll run through how to import specific Instagram post metrics such as 'Caption', 'Like count', 'Permalink' and 'Timestamp'.
In Data Fetcher, for Endpoint choose 'Engagement metrics for a list of posts'.
Give your Data fetcher request a name e.g. 'Import Instagram post metrics' and click 'Save & Continue'.
Select the Facebook Page associated with the Instagram account.
Then select all of the Metrics you would like to import from the Instagram API into Airtable. For this example, we are going to import 'Caption', 'Like count', 'Permalink' and 'Timestamp'.
Select a limit for the number of Instagram posts to import data from (the maximum is 100.)
Select the Airtable table and View to import your Instagram Insights metrics into.
And click 'Save & Run'.
Data Fetcher will run this request, and the Response field mapping modal will open. This is where we map the fields from the Instagram API to fields in Airtable.
We'll map all of these fields from the Instagram API to new fields in the Airtable base. Once you're happy, click 'Save & Run'.
You'll now see your Instagram Insights data in your Airtable output table.
Import Instagram Account Overview Data into Airtable Using the Instagram API
You can also use the 'Account Overview' Endpoint to import Instagram Insights metrics such as 'Followers count', Media count, and 'Follows count'.
Automatic Instagram Airtable Integration
Currently, you'd need to manually run the request to import any updates to the Instagram Insights metrics. It is possible to run the Instagram Airtable integration automatically at regular intervals using Data Fetcher's scheduling feature.
You will need to upgrade your account to this. In Data Fetcher, scroll to Schedule and click 'Upgrade'.
Choose a plan from the different options depending on your needs and enter your payment details.
Back in Data Fetcher, click 'I've done this'.
Under Schedule click '+ Authorize'.
A new window will now open and prompt you to authorize the Airtable bases you want Data Fetcher to have access to.
If you select 'All current and future bases in all current and future workspaces' this will avoid any issues with unauthorized bases in the future.
Click 'Grant access'.
Back in Data Fetcher, you'll see Schedule this request has been toggled to on.
Select a schedule for the Airtable Instagram integration to run. You can choose intervals of 'Minutes', 'Hours', 'Days' or 'Months', then Click 'Save'. Your Instagram Insights will now import to Airtable automatically on your chosen schedule.
