Inserting a single Instagram post into WordPress is pretty easy. Instagram provides the embedding tool; WordPress provides the place to put it and no plugin is required. For the right use case it works well.
The most important thing is to understand when including a single post is the appropriate solution and when you might actually need something more.
When a single post insert is the right call
Sometimes, for editorial reasons, it makes sense to just include an Instagram post in your WordPress content.
If you’re writing a blog post and want to show something specific from your Instagram, such as a product launch, event recap, or customer success, pasting that post will allow readers to see the original post with all the details: image, caption, account name, and date.
This is not the same as creating a feed. They don’t show your entire Instagram account; You only highlight one post in your article. This is what Instagram’s native embedding tool is for.
How to use Instagram’s native embedding
You don’t need any plugins to use Instagram’s embed tool. This is how it works:
- Open the post in a desktop browser.
- Click the three-dot icon in the post.
- Select Embed from the menu.
- Copy the generated HTML snippet.
- In the WordPress editor, add a custom HTML block and paste the code.
The post will appear on your Page just like it would on Instagram, with the image or video, caption, and account details visible.
There are a few things you need to keep in mind. If you change the caption on Instagram after embedding, the update may not appear on your website.
If you delete the post or make it private, the embed will no longer work. However, for most editorial uses these are rare issues and are usually not a problem.
When a plugin is a better answer
The embed tool has its limitations if you want to display more than just one post and keep your Instagram presence updated on your website.
If you want your Instagram content to appear in multiple places on your site, stay updated automatically, and display your most recent posts, using individual embeds becomes more difficult as you post more frequently. It’s easy to forget to keep your feed updated, and it takes up time that could otherwise be spent on other, more important tasks.
Increased Instagram feed was developed to address the shortcomings of the manual embedding method. It takes care of account setup, layout, and updating your content.
With a shortcode you can place a feed of your Instagram posts anywhere on your website.
While a single embed only displays one post, a plugin-based feed automatically displays multiple posts from your Instagram account and keeps the feed updated over time.
Know what problem you are solving
If you try to create a feed by inserting individual Instagram posts, it won’t work well. As soon as you post something new on your account, your feed on the site is already out of date.
If you want to insert a specific post into your content just for reference purposes, Instagram’s embed tool is all you need. No plugin is required.
Knowing exactly what you need will save you time and help you choose the right tool from the start.
Bringing everything together
Inserting an Instagram post in WordPress is easy and does not require a plugin. If your use case is purely editorial, Instagram’s native embedding works well.
However, if you actually need a live feed and not inserting individual posts, Increased Instagram feed is designed for this. It
For more Instagram feed plugins, check out Best Instagram Feed Plugins for WordPress.
