More than one billion people around the world use Instagram every month for inspiration, connection and communication, and 90% of those people follow a business on the platform. Instagram engagement is imperative for today’s brands, and we’re working with Facebook to integrate Messenger API, which now provides support for Instagram messaging features. Select Sprout Social customers will participate in a pilot program now, and Instagram messaging in Sprout will become available to all customers in 2021.

“We’re thrilled that Sprout Social is launching Facebook’s Messenger API support for Instagram. Businesses and people are messaging with each other more than ever, and Instagram is an important channel to connect with customers and build relationships,” said Konstantinos Papamiltiadis, VP of Platform Partnerships at Messenger.

This functionality will add to the Sprout platform’s already robust integration with Instagram, including features that enable brands to fully manage their Instagram presence, reporting, listening and analysis.

“We’re on a mission to equip our customers with the latest platform features, create more efficient workflows and, ultimately, let them engage in meaningful conversations,” said Andrew Caravella, VP, Global Partnerships at Sprout Social. “We’re pleased to work with Facebook on this much anticipated release, which will no doubt make our customers’ lives easier and enable them to holistically manage Instagram within Sprout.”

In our annual Sprout Social Index™ report, a survey of social marketers, we found that 68% of marketers planned to use Instagram more in 2020. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide restrictions on brick and mortar businesses, Instagram and messaging capabilities have been critical for businesses aiming to stay connected with their customers. As physical distancing guidelines continue to evolve, the addition of Instagram support from Facebook’s Messenger API will help brands keep their virtual doors open and engage with people around the world.

For more information on Instagram support within Facebook’s Messenger API, read Facebook’s official announcement here.

If you are a member of the media with questions about Sprout Social or this announcement, please contact pr@sproutsocial.com.

If you are a Sprout customer with questions about this announcement, please contact your customer success representative.