Instagram Shoppable Posts: Complete Setup Guide for 2026
TL;DR - Quick Answer
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Instagram Shoppable Posts: Setup Guide
Quick answer: Connect a product catalog to your Instagram Business account, get approved, then tag products in posts. Users tap to see prices and buy. Setup takes 1-2 hours plus approval time.
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Before you start, you need:
- Instagram Business or Creator account
- Connected Facebook Page
- Product catalog in Meta Commerce Manager
- Physical products (most digital products aren't eligible)
- Compliance with commerce policies
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Eligible Products
Supported Countries
Instagram Shopping is available in 40+ countries including USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and most of Europe.
🤔 Quick Knowledge Check
You sell handmade jewelry. Are you eligible for Instagram Shopping?
Step 2: Create Product Catalog
You need a catalog in Meta Commerce Manager before enabling Shopping.
Option A: Commerce Manager (Direct)
- Go to business.facebook.com/commerce_manager
- Click Create a Catalog
- Choose E-commerce
- Select Upload Product Info
- Add products manually or via CSV
Option B: E-commerce Platform Sync
Platforms with direct integration:
- Shopify
- BigCommerce
- WooCommerce
- Magento
For Shopify:
- Go to Sales Channels
- Add Facebook & Instagram
- Connect Facebook account
- Products sync automatically
Required Product Info
Step 3: Connect to Instagram
- Open Instagram Settings
- Tap Business or Creator
- Select Set Up Instagram Shopping
- Connect your catalog
- Submit for review
Review Process
- Takes 1-7 business days
- Notification when approved
- Rejections include reason
🤔 Quick Knowledge Check
Your Shopping application was rejected. What should you do first?
Common Rejection Reasons
- Incomplete product info
- Policy violations
- Website issues
- Ineligible products in catalog
Step 4: Tag Products in Posts
Once approved, you can tag products.
How to Tag
- Create a new post
- Tap Tag Products
- Tap on the photo
- Search for product
- Select product
- Share
Tagging Limits
Placement Tips
- Tag directly on the product
- Avoid overlapping tags
- Keep visible (not at edges)
- One product per tag location
🤔 Quick Knowledge Check
You're posting a photo with 8 products visible. How should you tag them?
Step 5: Enable Story Shopping
Product Stickers
- Create a Story
- Tap sticker icon
- Select Product sticker
- Search and select product
- Place on Story
Story Tips
- Use stickers naturally
- Don't overwhelm with products
- Show product in use
- Add swipe-up for more info
Step 6: Set Up Shop Tab
Your Shop tab is your Instagram storefront.
Customize
- Go to your profile
- Tap Shop tab
- Select Edit Shop
- Create collections
- Organize by category
Collection Ideas
- New Arrivals
- Best Sellers
- Sale Items
- Seasonal
- Gift Guides
- Under $50
Content Best Practices
Visual Quality
Caption Strategy
- Hook in first line
- Product benefit (not features)
- Call to action
- Relevant hashtags
Posting Mix
- Shoppable posts: 3-5x/week
- Non-selling content: mix in regularly
- Stories with products: daily
- Reels with products: 2-3x/week
Track Performance
Key Metrics
Where to Find Data
- Go to Professional Dashboard
- Select Shopping Insights
- View by product or content
Troubleshooting
Products Not Showing
- Check catalog sync
- Verify product availability
- Confirm products approved
- Refresh catalog connection
Tags Not Working
- Update Instagram app
- Clear cache
- Reconnect catalog
- Check internet
Account Not Approved
- Review Commerce Policies
- Fix product info
- Ensure website works
- Remove ineligible products
- Reapply
Related Resources
Instagram Shopping:
- Instagram Shopping Shopify Integration
- Instagram Business Account Setup
- Instagram Carousel Posts Guide
- Instagram Stories Marketing Guide
E-commerce & Sales:
- E-commerce Analytics for Social Media
- Best E-commerce Platform for Small Business
- How to Sell Jewelry on Instagram
Promotion:
Free Tools:
- Instagram Caption Generator
- Product Description Generator
- Instagram Hashtag Generator
- Engagement Calculator
FAQ
How many products can I tag in one post?
5 per single image, up to 20 across a carousel. Stories allow 1 product sticker per slide.
Do I need a minimum follower count?
No. Approval is based on policy compliance and catalog quality, not follower count.
Can I use Shopping for dropshipping?
Yes, but you must own the store (not just be an affiliate), have a legitimate website, and provide accurate shipping times.
How long does approval take?
1-7 business days. Some accounts get approved in 24 hours. Complex cases take longer.
Can I sell services?
Most services aren't eligible. Instagram Shopping is primarily for physical products. Use booking links in bio for services instead.
Why isn't my catalog syncing?
Common causes: disconnected Facebook Page, catalog errors, or app permissions. Check Commerce Manager for specific errors.
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