On December 4, 2024, we will remove the option for users with private Instagram profiles to select a photo from their profile for Instagram Hashtag contests.

Specifically, the following option will be removed from the contest editor:

Below we answer frequently asked questions related to this update:

Who does this update affect?

It only affects Instagram users with private profiles. Users with public profiles will still be able to participate.

This means that private Instagram profiles will no longer be able to connect their profile to the contest to select a post from their Instagram profile.

Users with public Instagram profiles will still be able to participate in the contest. The system for automatically importing photos, videos, and public reels will not be affected and will continue to function as usual: users with a public profile must upload a photo, video, or reel mentioning the brand and including the contest hashtag.

Can private profile users still participate in my contests?

Yes, private profile users can still participate in Instagram Hashtag contests.

Private profile users can continue participating in the contest by uploading the photo directly from their mobile, without the need to connect their account with Instagram.

• Benefit: the participation process is simplified for these users, as they do not need to accept permissions for any application.
• Drawback: It is not possible to guarantee that the user has uploaded that photo to their Instagram profile, nor that they have used a specific contest hashtag.

Note: There is also the option for users to temporarily switch their account to a public profile, upload the photo, and then return to a private profile.

Why is this option being removed?

META is removing any system that allows third-party access to content from private Instagram accounts for privacy and security reasons.

Specifically, META is removing the BASIC INSTAGRAM DISPLAY permissions, which were the permissions that allowed applications to access private profile content.

META only allows apps to develop features that can access Instagram accounts of business or creator type with public profiles.

This is META's announcement notifying this functionality removal.

Can public Instagram content still be monitored using Mention + Hashtag?

Yes, the Instagram integration that allows the automatic import of photos, videos, or reels mentioning the brand and containing a specific hashtag is not affected by this update.

The update does not impact public Instagram users participating in contests directly on Instagram, without needing to go to an Easypromos promotion registration form. They can participate directly by uploading content to their profile, including a brand mention and a hashtag. This only applies to photos, videos, or reels, and does not apply to Stories.

More information on the automatic import of photos, videos, or reels from public profiles.

Can a private profile participate by temporarily making their profile public?

Yes, users can switch their profile to public to participate directly from Instagram.

If you want to ensure that users upload a photo to Instagram in a contest, only public profile users can participate. If a private profile user wants to participate, they can be advised to temporarily switch their profile to public, upload their photo, and then switch back to private.

If I have an active contest, how will it be affected?

The contest will not experience any interruptions.

Users who are already participants will not be affected; their participation will continue to be displayed as usual.

New contest participants will upload the photo directly from their mobile without connecting to their Instagram profile.