Instagram Discontinuation with Effect from Mid-September 2022

  • Plugin Author Sayontan Sinha

    (@sayontan)


    2 years, 1 month ago

    Photonic has had an Instagram module since December 2012, and kept up with all idiosyncratic changes of Instagram / Facebook / Meta over the past 10 years. This included two instances where Facebook junked their API and replaced it with new APIs, and a plethora of other labyrinthine restrictions (forced expiration of tokens, repeated app owner verifications etc.).

    However, this time Meta has introduced a restriction that I cannot address, and do not wish to address. Meta has made it such that only businesses can access user media. I have been developing and supporting Photonic as a hobbyist, and it is not associated with any business. To continue offering Photonic for Instagram, I literally have to register a business and associate Photonic with it. That is not something I am willing to do for various reasons.

    So, I am announcing the discontinuation of the Instagram module of Photonic. I apologize for this development, which has nothing to do with me or Photonic, and everything to do with Meta. For all of you using Photonic for Instagram, I thank you for your support.

    I will release an updated version of the plugin in the next few days that reflects this change.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • digitalchet

    (@digitalchet)

    I was working on my site and realised the Instagram widget wasn’t working, so I came to investigate. I guess this explains it.
    It’s truly unfortunate and disappointing. You created a fantastic solution that did an amazing job. Thank you, sincerely.

    I hope some alternative solution presents itself soon.

    Plugin Author Sayontan Sinha

    (@sayontan)

    @digitalchet – Thank you for your kind words, and I am sorry that you are unable to use Photonic for Instagram any more.

    I am a little upset at having to pull support for a platform, but on the other hand, I am thankful that I had to pull it for one of the most troublesome platforms. Instagram’s API has the least features of any photo-sharing platform, and ironically they are the hardest to support (along with Google). You have to write up a business case, do a screencast, set up a test site for them etc., and then they finally approve. The results are just not worth the effort.

    You will find other plugins here that are run by businesses. They should be able to support your requirements.

    I came here because the latest version of your plugin shows “Your authentication credentials are for the old Instagram API. Please reauthenticate to keep Photonic working” – the module is still there, should it not be?

    Plugin Author Sayontan Sinha

    (@sayontan)

    It should not be there. I still have not released the version without Instagram.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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