Why Facebook and Instagram are linked by default
If you created your Instagram account after Facebook bought the platform in 2012, your accounts are already connected. Facebook owns Instagram, so the two platforms share the same parent company and can talk to each other. When you log into Instagram with a Facebook account, or when you set up Instagram through Facebook, the connection happens automatically.
Even if your Instagram account is older and was created before the acquisition, you can link it to a Facebook account now. The link lets you cross-post content, share your Instagram followers with Facebook ads, and manage both accounts from one dashboard called Meta Business Suite. You do not have to link them — Instagram works fine on its own — but linking gives you more control over how your data moves between the two platforms.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram and Facebook are already connected if you signed up for Instagram with a Facebook account, because Facebook owns both platforms.
- You can link an older Instagram account to a Facebook account through your Instagram settings, which takes about two minutes.
- Linking lets you post to both platforms at once, but it also means Facebook can use your Instagram activity for targeted ads.
- You can unlink the accounts at any time, and doing so does not delete either account.
- Meta Business Suite is where you manage both accounts together if you are running a business or creator account.
How to link Instagram to an existing Facebook account
Open Instagram on your phone or computer and go to your profile. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines on mobile, or a gear icon on desktop) and select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down to Accounts and scroll down further to find Linked Accounts or Connected Accounts — the exact name varies by device and app version.
Tap or click Facebook. Instagram will ask you to log into Facebook if you are not already logged in. Once you confirm, Instagram shows you the Facebook account it found and asks you to confirm the link. Tap Confirm or Connect. The link is now active, and you will see your Facebook account listed under Linked Accounts.
If you have multiple Facebook accounts, Instagram will connect to whichever one you are logged into at that moment. If you need to switch which Facebook account is linked, go back to Linked Accounts, tap the Facebook account shown, and select Unlink. Then log out of Facebook, log into the different Facebook account, and repeat the linking steps.
What happens when you link the accounts
Linking does not automatically post your Instagram content to Facebook. Instead, it gives you the option to share each post to Facebook when you create it. When you upload a photo or video to Instagram, you will see a toggle that says "Also post to Facebook" or "Share to Facebook." You control whether each individual post goes to Facebook — it is not automatic.
Linking also lets Facebook see your Instagram activity for the purpose of showing you ads. Facebook uses data from both platforms to build a profile of your interests, and that profile determines which ads you see on Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta-owned apps. If you do not want Facebook to use your Instagram activity for ads, you can adjust your ad preferences in Facebook Settings, though you cannot completely prevent it if the accounts are linked.
For business accounts, linking unlocks Meta Business Suite, a single dashboard where you can manage posts, messages, and ads across both platforms. If you run a small business or creator account, this is where you schedule posts to go live on both Instagram and Facebook at the same time, without posting twice.
How to unlink Instagram from Facebook
Go to your Instagram profile, open Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Find Linked Accounts and tap Facebook. Select Unlink. Instagram will ask you to confirm — tap Unlink again. The connection is now broken.
Unlinking does not delete either account. Your Instagram account stays active, your Facebook account stays active, and any posts you made are still there. You straightforward lose the ability to post to both platforms at once, and Facebook stops using your Instagram activity for ad targeting. If you change your mind later, you can link them again by following the steps in the section above.
When linking causes problems
If you try to link and see an error message, the most common cause is that you are logged into the wrong Facebook account, or you are not logged into Facebook at all. Log out of Facebook completely, then log back in with the account you want to link, and try again.
Another issue happens when you have a very old Instagram account created before Facebook owned it. If Instagram does not recognize your Facebook account as the owner, you may need to verify your identity. Instagram will ask you to confirm your email address or phone number. Follow the prompts, and the link should go through.
If you see a message that says your account is not may be able to access to link, it usually means your Instagram account was created with a phone number or email that does not match any Facebook account. Create a new Facebook account using the same email or phone number, then try linking again.
How to manage what data is shared
Linking shares your Instagram activity with Facebook's ad system, but you can limit what gets shared. On Instagram, go to Settings and Privacy, then Privacy. Look for the section called Data and History or Ad Preferences. You can turn off "Allow others to see your activity status" and adjust who can message you, but these settings do not stop Facebook from seeing your activity for ads.
To control ads more directly, go to Facebook Settings, then Ads. Select Ad Preferences, then Advertisers and Businesses. This shows you which companies have uploaded your contact information to Facebook's system. You cannot remove yourself from all ad targeting, but you can see who is targeting you and adjust your interests to change the kinds of ads you see.
Using Meta Business Suite to manage both accounts
If you have a business or creator account on Instagram, Meta Business Suite is the tool Facebook built to manage both platforms at once. Go to business.facebook.com and log in with your Facebook account. Click the menu and select Business Suite. Add your Instagram account by clicking Accounts, then Instagram Accounts, then Add Account. Select your Instagram account from the list and confirm.
Once your account is added, you can create a post in Business Suite and schedule it to go live on both Instagram and Facebook at the same time. You can also see messages from both platforms in one inbox, respond to comments, and run ads that appear on both. For anyone running a business or creator account, this is much faster than posting separately to each platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does linking Instagram to Facebook delete my Instagram account?
No. Linking straightforward connects the two accounts so they can share data and let you post to both at once. Your Instagram account remains separate and active. If you unlink them later, both accounts stay intact.
Can I link Instagram to a Facebook account I do not own?
No. You can only link to a Facebook account you have the login credentials for. Instagram will ask you to log in to confirm you own the Facebook account. If you try to link to someone else's account, the login will fail.
Will my Instagram followers see my Facebook posts if I link the accounts?
Only if you choose to share each post to Facebook. Linking does not automatically send your Instagram posts to Facebook. When you create a post, you will see a toggle to share it to Facebook — you control whether it goes there.
What happens to my data if I unlink the accounts?
Your posts, followers, and messages stay on both platforms. Unlinking only stops the connection between them, so Facebook stops using your Instagram activity for ads and you lose the ability to post to both platforms at once. You can link them again anytime.
Can I link one Instagram account to multiple Facebook accounts?
No. One Instagram account can only be linked to one Facebook account at a time. If you need to switch which Facebook account is linked, unlink the current one and then link a different Facebook account.