> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.growthxai.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How to Connect an Instagram Account > Connect an Instagram account through a secure sign-in page, then follow, like, comment and message from your sequences within Instagram's limits. An **Instagram sender** lets your sequences follow, like, comment on and message people on Instagram, and brings their replies into the same Inbox as your other channels. The account owner signs in on a secure sign-in page, so GrowthxAI never sees or stores their password. Only **Owners** and **Managers** can connect senders. ## Before you start * GrowthxAI Outreach is **not affiliated with Instagram or Meta**. * Automating an Instagram account can breach Instagram's terms. **The account owner carries the risk of a warning or restriction.** A disabled Instagram account can't be recovered. * Instagram is the strictest channel we run. Volume is low on purpose: **no more than 10 actions an hour and 100 a day**, even on a mature account. See [Channel Limits & Restrictions](/getting-started/platform-overview/channel-limits-and-restrictions#instagram). * Only connect accounts whose owners have agreed. ## How to connect 1. Go to **Senders** and click **Connect sender**. 2. Under **What would you like to connect?**, choose **Instagram**, tick the box confirming you have the account owner's permission, and click **Continue**. 3. Fill in the account details: * **Display name**: how the account appears in lists and the Inbox, for example *@acme.studio*. The real handle is filled in once the account is connected. * **Owner email**: the person who owns the account. We email them here if the account ever needs to be signed in again. * **Timezone**: outreach is sent during the owner's working hours in this timezone. * **Client** (optional): the client this account works for. Leave it as *No client* to share the account across the workspace. 4. Read the **How Instagram ramps up** note, then click **Continue**. 5. Click **Connect Instagram**. You'll be taken to a secure sign-in page. Sign in with the Instagram username and password, and complete any code Instagram asks for. Then return to GrowthxAI to finish connecting. The sender appears straight away as **Connecting**. It turns **Connected** once the sign-in is complete. The handle, follower count and inbox history follow within a few minutes. The sign-in link expires after **15 minutes**. If it expires, go back and create a new one. ## Connecting someone else's account? Don't open the link yourself. Click **Copy sign-in link** and send it to the account owner so they can sign in themselves. See [How to Securely Connect Someone Else's LinkedIn Account](/senders/connect-someone-elses-linkedin) for the same approach in more detail. ## What happens after connecting A new Instagram sender starts at **warm-up level 0**: | At level 0 the sender can | It can't yet | | - | - | | View profiles, follow and like | Send direct messages or comment | Levels rise as the sender's health stays high, and every level keeps to **10 actions an hour**. The daily total grows from 15 at level 0 to 100 at level 5. The full table is in [Channel Limits & Restrictions](/getting-started/platform-overview/channel-limits-and-restrictions#instagram). The sender works during its working hours, one to four minutes between actions, at random times. You can change the hours on its **Schedule** tab. ## Using an Instagram sender in a sequence Instagram outreach works best as a ladder, not a cold message: 1. **Follow** the person. 2. **Like** a recent post or two. 3. Wait for a **follow-back**. 4. **Send a message**. If they don't follow back, comment on a post first, then message. The **Instagram engagement ladder** template in the sequence builder sets this up for you. See [Sequence Templates](/sequences/creating-managing-sequences/sequence-templates#the-templates). Add the Instagram sender to the sequence's **Pool** so the steps have an account to run from. The Instagram steps are described in [Sequence Nodes](/sequences/creating-managing-sequences/sequence-nodes#instagram). Instagram is low-volume and high-touch. An account keeps roughly 40 leads in flight at a time, so don't expect LinkedIn volumes. Replies you send yourself from the Inbox don't count toward any limit. ## What you'll see on the sender * **Senders list**: for an Instagram sender, today's **New conversations** and **Follows** (used / cap), plus how many actions are left **this hour**. * **Overview tab**: the account's **Handle** (a link to the profile), **Followers**, warm-up level and health. * **Budgets tab**: a **Total actions today** row for the whole day, a **This hour** card, and the warm-up caps for each level. You can set a lower manual cap on any action. You can't go above the platform ceiling. * **Profile and Session tabs** don't appear. They are for LinkedIn senders only. ### "Instagram sent a warning" If Instagram shows its "we suspect automated behavior" warning, the sender page shows a banner with Instagram's exact wording. GrowthxAI treats it as a signal: 1. The sender is **paused for 48 hours** and drops **one warm-up level**. 2. A manager can click **Resume anyway** on the banner and confirm. Do this only if you accept the risk, and check with the account owner or client first. A 48-hour pause costs a couple of days. Ignoring a warning can cost the account. ## Reconnecting If Instagram ends the session, the sender shows **Re-login needed** and its actions are held. Open the sender, go to the **Overview** tab and click **Send re-login link**, or **Sign in now** if you're the owner. The re-login link lasts 1 hour. See [Sender Statuses and Errors](/senders/sender-statuses-and-errors#red-re-login-needed). ## Consent on Instagram Instagram doesn't need a recorded consent before a message. Consent is shown on the lead where it's known, but it doesn't block anything. The engagement ladder and the hourly limit are what keep the account safe. ## Troubleshooting **1. "Hosted login did not complete"** * The sign-in was cancelled or the link expired. ✅ **Solution:** Open the sender and generate a fresh link. If you're not a Manager, ask one to send it. **2. The sender is stuck on Connecting** * The sign-in wasn't finished, or Instagram is waiting on a code. ✅ **Solution:** Generate a new link and complete the sign-in, including any code Instagram sends, within 15 minutes. **3. Steps are waiting even though the sender is Connected** * The hourly limit is used up, the sender is on a 48-hour pause, or it's still at level 0 and the step is a message or comment. ✅ **Solution:** Open the sender and click **Why isn't this sending?** on the Overview tab. It gives the exact reason in plain words. **4. "Trial workspaces can connect up to 3 senders"** * Trials are limited to 3 active senders. ✅ **Solution:** Add billing under **Settings → Billing** to connect more. See [Pricing Plans](/subscription-and-billing/pricing-plans). ## Related articles * [Channel Limits & Restrictions](/getting-started/platform-overview/channel-limits-and-restrictions) * [Smart Limits & Account Safety](/getting-started/platform-overview/smart-limits-and-account-safety) * [Sender Profiles](/senders/sender-profiles) * [Sender Statuses and Errors](/senders/sender-statuses-and-errors) * [How to Connect a WhatsApp Number](/senders/connect-whatsapp)