In this article, we'll show how to display your own Instagram posts on your digital signs with OptiSigns.
- Instagram or Instagram Business?
- What You'll Need
- Creating an Instagram App
- Deploying an Instagram App
With the Instagram app, it's possible to display the posts from your own Instagram profile on your digital signs. Sign in with Instagram once, and your screens will keep up as you post.
Here's a single post on screen (view a live example):
Here's the Social Wall View (view a live example):
Let's get started.
What You'll Need
- An OptiSigns account - any plan
- An Instagram Business or Creator account
- An OptiSigns-enabled device
- A screen, set up and paired with OptiSigns (see our Getting Started guide)
Instagram or Instagram Business?
OptiSigns has two Instagram apps. Pick the one that matches what you want to show:
- Instagram - Shows the posts from your own Instagram profile. You sign in with Instagram directly. This is the app covered in this article.
- Instagram Business - Shows the posts from any public profile or a hashtag. You connect through Facebook, using an Instagram account linked to a Facebook Page. See How to Use the Instagram Business App.
NOTE |
| Both apps need an Instagram Business or Creator account. Personal accounts can't be used, as this is Meta's policy. Switching is free and only takes a few clicks (see how). |
Creating an Instagram App
From the OptiSigns portal, go to Files/Assets and select Apps.
Search for Instagram and select the Instagram app.
Click Sign in with Instagram and sign in with your Instagram account.
The Instagram app settings will open, showing the account you signed in with. Fill in the following:
- Name - The name of your Instagram asset. This is for organizational purposes within OptiSigns only and will not display on your screens.
- Display Mode - How your posts are laid out. Choose from Social Kiosk View, Single Post View, Social Wall View, Timeline View, Bricks View, Modern View or Flip Card View.
- Theme - Choose Light Theme or Dark Theme, or Custom to pick your own colors.
- Speed - How fast the app moves between posts. Choose Slow, Medium or Fast, or Custom to set your own speed.
- Font Size - Keep Default, or choose Custom to set your own size.
When Theme is set to Custom, enter a hex code for the Background Color and Text Color, or click the swatch to use the color picker.
When Speed is set to Custom, drag the slider to choose a speed from 1 to 20.
Advanced
Click Advanced for more options:
- Always show new posts - On by default, so new posts appear automatically. Turn it off to approve posts before they show. See Moderating Posts below.
- Filter Posts - Choose None, By Quantity to show only the latest number of posts you set, or By Time to show only posts from the last number of days you set.
- Only show posts with image - Turn this on to hide posts without an image.
- Continue Playing Content in Playlist - On by default. In a Playlist, the app picks up where it left off each time it comes around, instead of starting again from the first post.
- Show QR Code - Turn this on to show a QR code linking to each post.
Now hit Save. You'll have created an Instagram app, and it will appear in your Files/Assets. It may take a few seconds for the app to fetch your posts.
| TIP |
| Click Preview at the bottom of the app settings to see your wall in a new tab. |
Moderating Posts
To choose which posts appear on your screens, turn off Always show new posts, then click the gear button next to it.
The Moderation window will open, listing your posts. Use the buttons on each post to hide it or remove it from your wall, and click Refresh Data to load your newest posts. Learn more about moderating your social media feeds.
Deploying an Instagram App
To push your Instagram app to a screen, go to the Screens tab, then click Edit next to the screen you want to display it on.
The Edit Screen pop-up will appear. Select Asset under Content Type, then hit Change next to Selected Asset.
The Select Asset window will open. Search for your Instagram app, click it, then hit Select.
Back in Edit Screen, hit Save. Your Instagram posts will now display on your screen.
Your Instagram app can also be displayed in a Playlist or Schedule, or as one zone of a Split Screen.
That’s all!
OptiSigns is the leader in digital signage software. If you have any additional questions, concerns or any feedback about OptiSigns, feel free to reach out to our support team at support@optisigns.com.