Embedding an Instagram post in WordPress is really easy. Instagram provides you with the embed code and WordPress allows you to place it where you want using a built-in block. The entire process only takes a few minutes and you don’t need a plugin.
However, just because something is simple does not mean that it is sufficient. Knowing what an embedded post can and cannot do will help you decide whether using an embedding plugin would be better suited to your needs.
How to embed a post using Instagram’s native tool
Most people start with Instagram’s built-in embed feature. How to use it:
- Open the post you want to embed in a desktop browser (not the mobile app).
- Click the three-dot icon in the post.
- Select Embed from the menu.
- Copy the HTML code shown.
- In the WordPress editor, add a custom HTML block to the page or post where you want the embed to appear.
- Paste the code into the block and publish it.
The post displays the image or video, caption, account name, and post date. It looks exactly like it does on Instagram.
The embedded link leads directly to the original post. If you delete the post on Instagram or make it private, the embed will no longer work. If you change the label, the update may not appear immediately due to caching. For most people, these are small problems and not major problems.
What an embedded post can and cannot do
An embedded Instagram post works well when you want to provide context. If you’re writing something and want readers to see a specific related Instagram post as it originally appeared, with the image, caption, and timestamp, embedding is a good choice.
However, there are a few things it can’t do. This includes:
- Display more than one post at a time without multiple separate embeds
- Auto-update when you post new content on Instagram
- Adapt to your website’s design (it’s always rendered in Instagram’s native card style)
- Serve as a feed or gallery representing your account as a whole
If you only need to display one post in your content, these limitations won’t be a problem. However, if you want to display multiple posts, keep your feed updated, or view your latest Instagram activity, they become real disadvantages.
When a plugin is the right tool instead
If you want your website to have a live Instagram presence and not just display a single post, you will need a special feed plugin to embed Instagram posts in WordPress.
Increased Instagram feed connects to your Instagram account via API and displays your feed in different layouts, such as: B. as a grid, slider or mosaic.
You can place it anywhere on your website using a shortcode. The feed automatically updates as you add new posts, and you can change its appearance with built-in style options.
If you want a feed that updates itself and appears in multiple places on your site, this is a better choice.
Bringing everything together
It’s easy to embed an Instagram post in WordPress, and the built-in tool does the job well. You don’t need a plugin for this.
First, it’s worth asking yourself whether a single embed is really what you need, or whether you’re looking for a more comprehensive Instagram integration. These are different goals with different solutions.
If you want a live feed instead of just individual post embeds, Increased Instagram feed covers that.
For more plugins, check out Best Instagram Feed Plugins for WordPress.
