Instagram and Shopify are a perfect match for social commerce. From leveraging Instagram’s shoppable features to embedding your Instagram feed on your website, integrating the two platforms allows ecommerce businesses to reach new audiences, showcase their products, and drive conversions. Whether you're using Instagram Shopping, product tags, or influencer collaborations, the right tools can help you streamline this integration and maximize your store’s potential.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best ways to integrate Instagram with Shopify and actionable ideas to grow your Shopify sales using Instagram.
What’s in this guide:
- 5 ways to integrate Instagram with Shopify
- 10 ideas to boost Shopify sales using Instagram
5 ways to integrate Instagram with Shopify [+ tools to use]
Integrating Instagram with Shopify can unlock numerous sales and marketing opportunities. Below are the most effective methods to connect the two platforms:
1. Use Instagram Shopping to make your products shoppable
Enable Instagram Shopping to turn your product posts and Stories into a seamless shopping experience. Shoppable posts allow users to click on products and purchase directly via your Shopify store.
Why it works: Instagram Shopping eliminates barriers between product discovery and purchase, making it easier for customers to shop.
Best app to power the integration: Facebook & Instagram by Meta
This app enables you to connect your Shopify store to Instagram, sync your product catalog, and enable in-app shopping features.
How to set it up:
- Install the Facebook & Instagram by Meta app from the Shopify App Store.
- Sync your product catalog with Instagram.
- Apply for Instagram Shopping approval directly in your Instagram Business account.
- Tag products in posts and Stories to showcase them.
Get more integration details here.
2. Embed your Instagram feed on your Shopify website
Showcase your Instagram content on your Shopify store using a tool like Curator.io. Displaying your Instagram feed builds trust with potential buyers and adds social proof.
Why it works: Seeing your Instagram posts, especially user-generated content (UGC), helps build brand credibility and engages visitors on your Shopify store.
Best app to power the integration: Curator.io
Curator allows you to easily embed your Instagram feed into your Shopify website with fully customizable layouts and no coding required.
How to set it up:
- Sign up for a free Curator.io account.
- Create a new feed and connect your Instagram account.
- Customize the layout to match your Shopify store design (e.g., carousel, grid, etc.).
- Copy the embed code and paste it into your Shopify theme.
3. Connect Instagram ads with Shopify
Connect Instagram Ads to your Shopify store to create targeted campaigns that drive traffic and sales. Instagram’s advanced targeting tools allow you to reach highly specific audiences with personalized content.
Why it works: Instagram Ads offer precise targeting and a highly visual format, making them ideal for promoting products and driving conversions.
Best app to power the integration: Facebook & Instagram by Meta
This app also simplifies creating ad campaigns and tracking their performance.
How to set it up:
- Link your Instagram Business account to Shopify via the Facebook & Instagram app.
- Install the Meta Pixel to track ad performance.
- Use Shopify’s Marketing tab to create and manage Instagram ad campaigns.
Get more integration details here.
4. Use product tagging in Instagram Reels and Stories
Tag your Shopify products in Reels and Stories to create immersive shopping experiences. Instagram’s interactive Stories and video formats are excellent for showcasing products in action.
Why it works: Reels and Stories generate higher engagement than static posts and encourage users to take immediate action.
Best app to power the integration: Facebook & Instagram by Meta
This app supports product tagging in all Instagram formats.
How to set it up:
- Enable product tagging in your Instagram Shopping settings.
- Create Stories or Reels that highlight your products.
- Add product tags and link them directly to your Shopify store.
Get more details on Instagram product tagging here.
5. Leverage influencer marketing on Instagram
Collaborate with Instagram influencers to promote your Shopify products through authentic content. Influencers can tag your products and direct their followers to your store.
Why it works: Influencers can help you reach niche audiences and build trust with their followers, driving more traffic and conversions.
Best app to power the integration: Collabstr or Shopify Collabs
These tools help you find influencers, track campaigns, and measure results.
How to set it up:
- Use an app like Collabstr to discover influencers in your niche.
- Provide influencers with exclusive promo codes or affiliate links.
- Share their UGC on your Instagram and Shopify store to maximize impact.
10 ideas to boost Shopify sales using Instagram
Instagram is one of the most powerful tools for ecommerce businesses. Here are actionable tips to drive more sales on your Shopify store through Instagram:
1. Host Instagram Live shopping events
Instagram Live shopping events are an exciting way to connect with your audience in real time, showcase your products, and drive immediate sales. By hosting these sessions, you can create a sense of urgency and exclusivity while answering customer questions live, which builds trust and encourages purchases. With Shopify’s integrations, you can easily tag products during your live stream, allowing viewers to shop instantly without leaving the app.
Here are some tips to maximize sales during your Instagram Live shopping events:
- Announce the event in advance – Promote your live session through Instagram Stories, posts, and emails to build anticipation.
- Offer exclusive deals – Share special discounts or bundles only available during the event to encourage immediate purchases.
- Engage your audience – Interact with viewers by answering questions, addressing comments, and showcasing your products’ benefits.
- Highlight top sellers – Focus on your best-performing products to appeal to a broader audience.
- Create urgency – Use countdown timers or limited-stock announcements to drive impulse buys.
With Curator’s no-code tools, you can even display a curated Instagram feed on your Shopify site post-event to keep the excitement alive and encourage additional sales.
2. Share user-generated content (UGC)
User-generated content (UGC) is one of the most effective ways to build trust and credibility for your brand. When customers see real people using and loving your products, it reinforces their confidence in making a purchase. Encourage your audience to tag your products on Instagram and share their posts to showcase authentic experiences. UGC not only boosts engagement but also provides valuable content you can use across your marketing channels.
With tools like Curator.io, you can easily automate the process of collecting, moderating, and displaying UGC directly on your Shopify store. Featuring these posts as a curated Instagram feed enhances your website’s appeal and serves as powerful social proof.
Here are some ideas to inspire UGC:
- Product tutorials – Encourage customers to share videos or Reels showing how they use your products.
- Lifestyle shots – Request images of your products integrated into daily routines.
- Unboxing experiences – Highlight first impressions through unboxing videos or photos.
- Before-and-after transformations – Perfect for beauty, fitness, or home improvement brands.
- Holiday or seasonal themes – Run contests encouraging customers to showcase how they use your products during special occasions.
By celebrating your customers’ creativity and experiences, you create a sense of community while growing your brand’s reputation.
3. Optimize your Instagram bio and link
Your Instagram bio is prime real estate for driving traffic to your Shopify store. Use it strategically to make it easy for followers to shop your products. Tools like Linkpop allow you to create a mini landing page with multiple clickable links, enabling you to showcase product collections, featured sales, or new arrivals.
Make your bio clear and engaging by highlighting your brand’s unique value, and include a strong call-to-action like “Shop our latest collection” or “Don’t miss our exclusive sale.” Pair it with a branded profile picture and consistent aesthetic to boost credibility.
4. Post Reels and Stories frequently
Reels and Stories are essential tools for reaching your audience and showcasing your products on Instagram. The algorithm favors these formats, giving you more opportunities to engage followers and attract new customers. Reels, with their high discoverability, are perfect for creative, shareable content, while Stories offer a more personal, behind-the-scenes connection.
Top 5 tips for better Reels:
- Use trending audio to boost reach.
- Keep videos short and engaging (15–30 seconds).
- Highlight your products in action.
- Add captions for accessibility and retention.
- Include a call-to-action like “Shop now!”
Top 5 tips for better Stories:
- Use stickers (polls, questions) to encourage interaction.
- Share time-sensitive offers to create urgency.
- Post behind-the-scenes content to build authenticity.
- Tag products for easy shopping.
- Use consistent branding (colors, fonts, logos).
By regularly posting engaging Reels and Stories, you can connect with your audience while driving Shopify sales.
5. Run exclusive Instagram-only discounts
Offering Instagram-only discounts is a great way to engage your followers while driving Shopify sales. Create special promo codes or limited-time deals exclusive to your Instagram audience, making them feel valued and encouraging loyalty. These exclusive offers create a sense of urgency and FOMO (fear of missing out), motivating customers to act quickly.
Tips for promoting your discounts:
- Announce offers in Stories with countdown timers.
- Highlight the promo in engaging posts or Reels.
- Use targeted Instagram ads to amplify reach.
- Pair discounts with eye-catching visuals.
- Share customer success stories or testimonials featuring the offer.
By tailoring deals specifically for your Instagram followers, you’ll increase engagement, grow your audience, and boost conversions effortlessly.
6. Use Instagram’s shopping tab
Instagram’s shopping tab is a powerful tool for connecting with users who are actively looking for products. It gives your Shopify store visibility to Instagram’s massive audience, allowing users to browse and shop your products directly through the app. To maximize your success, make sure your product catalog is up-to-date and aligned with trends or seasonal offerings. By optimizing your presence in the shopping tab, you can attract more shoppers and drive conversions.
Tips to increase rankings in the shopping tab:
- Use high-quality product images – Clear, professional visuals grab attention.
- Write compelling product descriptions – Highlight key benefits and features.
- Tag products in Reels and Stories – This boosts visibility across formats.
- Encourage customer reviews on Instagram – Social proof improves trust and rankings.
- Regularly update your catalog – Add new arrivals, best-sellers, and seasonal items.
With a well-optimized shopping tab, your products will be more discoverable, helping you convert Instagram browsers into Shopify customers.
Here's an example of the shopping tab for Tarte Cosmetics:
7. Partner with micro-influencers
Collaborating with micro-influencers is a powerful way to promote your Shopify products to a targeted, engaged audience. Micro-influencers (typically with 10,000–50,000 followers) often have a loyal fan base and niche expertise, making their recommendations feel personal and trustworthy. Their smaller audience size often means higher engagement rates, as followers view them as approachable and authentic. By partnering with micro-influencers, you can amplify your reach and drive more conversions without the high costs associated with larger influencers.
To maximize the impact of these collaborations, provide influencers with free products or exclusive discount codes to share with their audience. Encourage them to create content like product reviews, unboxings, or lifestyle shots showcasing your items. Repurpose this user-generated content (UGC) on your Instagram and Shopify store to extend the value of the partnership and build further trust with your audience.
Collabstr has thousands of micro-influencers available to partner with. Rates for content start at $50, so ecommerce store owners of any size can afford high-quality content created by real people who match their brand style.
8. Use Instagram ads retargeting
Instagram ads retargeting is a game-changing strategy for re-engaging shoppers who visited your Shopify store but didn’t complete a purchase. Retargeting allows you to remind users of the products they viewed, reigniting their interest and encouraging them to return to your site. Dynamic product ads are especially effective for this, as they automatically showcase the exact items a user interacted with. By meeting potential customers where they are—on Instagram—you can turn abandoned carts into completed sales.
Tips for successful Instagram retargeting:
- Use dynamic product ads for personalized experiences
Dynamic product ads automatically display the exact products users viewed on your Shopify store, making the experience more relevant and engaging. This tailored approach increases the likelihood of converting interest into a sale. - Set up time-sensitive offers to create urgency
In your retargeting ads, include limited-time discounts or free shipping offers to motivate hesitant shoppers to act quickly. Pair the offer with a countdown timer to amplify urgency. - Segment your audience for better targeting
Divide your audience into categories like cart abandoners, product page viewers, or past purchasers. This segmentation allows you to tailor your ad messaging to each group, ensuring your campaigns feel more personalized and effective.
9. Create behind-the-scenes content
Behind-the-scenes (BTS) content is a fantastic way to humanize your brand and build deeper connections with your audience. Sharing the process behind how your products are made, packed, or shipped gives your followers an authentic glimpse into your business. This type of content helps foster trust and loyalty, showing the care and effort you put into your products.
BTS content also allows you to highlight your team, your values, and the story that makes your brand unique. By sharing unpolished, real moments, you create a sense of transparency and relatability that resonates with customers. Use Instagram Stories and Reels to keep the content engaging and dynamic, while encouraging comments and questions to spark conversation.
10 behind-the-scenes content ideas:
- Show your product manufacturing process.
- Pack orders while writing thank-you notes.
- Highlight your workspace or studio.
- Introduce your team members.
- Share a day-in-the-life of your founder.
- Feature raw material or supply deliveries.
- Film quality checks or testing processes.
- Show products being styled for photoshoots.
- Share bloopers or funny moments from your team.
- Offer sneak peeks of upcoming launches.
10. Analyze and optimize your Instagram strategy
Regularly analyzing and optimizing your Instagram strategy is essential for long-term success. Use Instagram Insights to track metrics like engagement, reach, and click-through rates, and pair this data with Shopify’s analytics tools to understand how Instagram traffic impacts sales. Identify which posts, Stories, or Reels drive the most conversions, and double down on similar content.
Experiment with different formats, posting times, and hashtags, then refine your approach based on performance data to continuously improve results.
Final thoughts
Integrating Instagram with Shopify opens up endless opportunities to connect with your audience and drive sales. Whether you’re embedding your Instagram feed with Curator, running influencer campaigns, or leveraging Instagram’s shoppable features, these strategies can help you make the most of the platform’s potential in 2025.
Connect your Instagram feed to your Shopify story with Curator.