How to Begin Using the Instagram and Facebook Graph APIs for Mobile Apps

Understanding Instagram API Integration for Standard User Access

Using Node.js for backend implementation to authenticate and fetch data from the Instagram Graph API

// Import required modules
const express = require('express');
const axios = require('axios');
const app = express();
const PORT = 3000;
// Redirect URI for Instagram OAuth
const redirectUri = 'https://your-redirect-uri.com';
const clientId = 'YOUR_CLIENT_ID';
const clientSecret = 'YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET';
// Route to initiate Instagram OAuth
app.get('/auth', (req, res) => {
    const authUrl = `https://api.instagram.com/oauth/authorize` +
        `?client_id=${clientId}` +
        `&redirect_uri=${redirectUri}` +
        `&scope=user_profile,user_media` +
        `&response_type=code`;
    res.redirect(authUrl);
});
// Callback route to handle Instagram OAuth
app.get('/callback', async (req, res) => {
    const { code } = req.query;
    try {
        const tokenResponse = await axios.post(`https://api.instagram.com/oauth/access_token`, {
            client_id: clientId,
            client_secret: clientSecret,
            grant_type: 'authorization_code',
            redirect_uri: redirectUri,
            code
        });
        const { access_token, user_id } = tokenResponse.data;
        res.json({ access_token, user_id });
    } catch (error) {
        res.status(500).send('Error fetching access token');
    }
});
// Start the server
app.listen(PORT, () => console.log(`Server running on http://localhost:${PORT}`));

Fetching Public Instagram Profiles

Using Python with the Requests library to fetch public Instagram profile data

import requests
# Access token obtained through OAuth
ACCESS_TOKEN = 'YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN'
# Public profile ID to fetch
PROFILE_ID = 'USER_ID'
# Endpoint to fetch user profile data
url = f'https://graph.instagram.com/{PROFILE_ID}?fields=id,username,media_count&access_token={ACCESS_TOKEN}'
try:
    response = requests.get(url)
    response.raise_for_status()
    profile_data = response.json()
    print(profile_data)
except requests.exceptions.RequestException as e:
    print(f'Error: {e}')

Validating API Calls with Unit Tests

Using Jest for testing Node.js backend endpoints

const request = require('supertest');
const app = require('../app');
describe('Instagram API OAuth', () => {
    it('should redirect to Instagram OAuth URL', async () => {
        const response = await request(app).get('/auth');
        expect(response.status).toBe(302);
        expect(response.header.location).toContain('https://api.instagram.com/oauth/authorize');
    });
    it('should handle callback and fetch access token', async () => {
        const response = await request(app).get('/callback?code=test_code');
        expect(response.status).toBe(200);
        expect(response.body).toHaveProperty('access_token');
    });
});

FAQs About Instagram Graph API Integration

1. How do I start with the Instagram Graph API?
2. You need to register an app on the Facebook Developer platform, set up the API, and use /auth routes for user authorization.
3. Can I access standard Instagram user profiles?
4. Yes, but only public profiles or those who grant explicit permissions during OAuth via access_token.
5. Do I need an Instagram Business Account for this?
6. No, public profile access does not require a business account, but for advanced insights, a Business Account is necessary.
7. What programming languages are best for API integration?
8. Languages like Node.js, Python, and Ruby work well, with libraries such as axios or requests simplifying API calls.
9. How can I display Instagram data in my app?
10. Use public API endpoints like /media and parse the JSON response to present data in your app’s UI effectively.
11. What are the rate limits for API usage?
12. Limits vary, but generally, apps can make up to 200 requests per user token per hour.
13. Is user data secure with Instagram API?
14. Yes, OAuth tokens ensure secure access, and using https endpoints is mandatory.
15. Can I test API requests locally?
16. Yes, tools like Postman or using localhost tunneling services such as ngrok help test API integrations effectively.
17. What data can I access with the API?
18. Public profiles provide username, profile picture, media count, and individual post details like captions and likes.
19. Can I fetch Instagram Stories using the API?
20. Only business or creator accounts allow fetching of Stories data through specific endpoints.
21. Is error handling important for API integration?
22. Absolutely, commands like response.raise_for_status() or logging tools are crucial to catch API errors.
23. How do I update or refresh access tokens?
24. Use long-lived tokens where possible, and for renewal, refer to /access_token/refresh endpoints.

Key Takeaways for Instagram API Integration

Leveraging the Instagram Graph API opens doors for app developers to create interactive features like public profile browsing or curated content displays. By understanding OAuth and endpoints, integrating these capabilities becomes a seamless process for engaging user experiences.

Planning for API rate limits and efficient data caching ensures scalability and smooth performance. Whether it's a travel app showcasing destinations or a fitness tracker syncing workout posts, this knowledge empowers developers to build dynamic and innovative applications. 🚀