Why can't I set up an Instagram shop due to lack of established presence?

[kanechung]

Hi,

I'm trying to set up my Instagram shop so I can tag my product back to my site, but it said "This Business Manager Account can't be selected because it doesn't have an established presence on Instagram. Please try again once your Business Manager Account has more activity or select a different one."

does anyone know what happens or experiencing the same issue?

thanks!

[Moira]

Hey @kanechung,

Welcome to the Shopify Community!

As a business when submitting your account for Shopping, you need to fulfill Instagram Shopping requirements and request approval from Instagram. One of the most common reasons for getting your account rejected from Instagram Shopping is not meeting the Commerce eligibility criteria. Facebook has released the sets of requirements meeting which only, you will be able to move further with your account for Instagram Shopping.

The requirements may look very simple but yet it carries much importance for getting your account approval. The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Comply with Facebook policies
• Have a physical product and a domain of active business
• Be located in a supported market
• Have a considerable business presence
• Give accurate business information and follow best practices

The error you shared mentioned having an "established presence" which is one of the requirements listed above. Your Instagram account should not be a very new account, as it will have very few followers to establish your brand as a known trustworthy business. Because of this fact, it may happen that your approval gets rejected for Instagram Shopping. However, there is still not any clarification or a follower’s cap for accounts to get the Shopping feature.

Your Instagram professional accounts must have demonstrated trustworthiness, including an authentic, and established presence. If you are a newbie who is willing to harness Instagram Shopping, consider garnering some followers to your business profile; as it will help your account to get easily discoverable and acquire much attention. Below, I have shared an article from Facebook with suggestions on how to grow your brand presence:

• How to grow your business presence on Instagram | Meta for Business

Facebook has great customer support. I recommend contacting support through their Messenger chat service if you have any further questions regarding eligibility requirements. You can contact Facebook support via Messenger here. Just scroll to the middle of the page and you’ll find Chat Support. They should be able to review your account and let you know what steps to take next.

[WiredIn]

Honestly, I don’t think this is the case. I see plenty of Instagram accounts that are rather new with shops. Also, my Facebook account was hacked and they created a new page. For some reason, that page was able to “connect” but not my actual instagram or Facebook business accounts. 

I think this is a glitch and setting up shops has been nightmarish for people I’ve spoken to. Incredibly difficult to figure out and loaded with confusing bugs. 

I plan on reaching out to Facebook support. 

[Moira]

@WiredIn 

I can understand how frustrating the setup and verification process can be. Facebook should be able to review your account entirely and let you know why your business account was unable to be connected.  

[LukeCarr]

Did you ever find a fix for this? I am having exactly the same problem - Ive tried all the settings in Meta business suite but it's a total nightmare, so complicated - which it doesn't need to be. My instagram is connected on there - but still can't connect to Shopify, with the presence message. Weird as Facebook was easy.

[Moira]

Hey @LukeCarr,

How established is your Instagram account? and have you posted much content? I have found that accounts with fuller feeds / post regulary tend to be considered to have an "established presence". 

[MarcusFreeman]

I agree with all of the above comments and from my perspective Meta have really gone off the rails. They used to be very good re their admin, but now it is a nightmare and a lot of aspects do not work. It is a rabbit warren of rubbish to do basic things. I have had issues here as well...loggoed into my Facebook account, logged into my instagram account, logged into Shopify and granted all access, and yet an error comes up?!! "You must connect your instagram account to see applicant’s Instagram data."

It is seriously hopeless and frustrating for such a simple task of connecting to an account that is open in same browser and does not recognise? 

[JuniorMarcio]

I also come across brands having problems setting up accounts with Meta products when they comply with the best practices of the platforms' usage policies.

[Kanyoper]

I have one, but I don't believe it has resulted in any purchases since most of my followers are also pyrographers.