How to Embed Instagram in WordPress

When someone asks how to embed Instagram in WordPress, they’re usually looking to do one of two things, and the answer depends on which one applies to their specific use case.

The first is embedding a single post: a static reference to a specific Instagram post on a page or in an article. The second is embedding your entire Instagram presence as a live, designed feed section that shows your most recent posts and stays up to date. 

WordPress supports the first natively, but the second requires a plugin. Let’s take a look at how to implement each embed option.

Which Kind of Embed Do You Actually Need?

It’s worth clarifying what you actually want before choosing an embed method, since the two approaches give very different results.

A single embedded post is useful when you’re writing content that references a specific Instagram post. The embed shows the image, caption, and account attribution in Instagram’s native card format, making it a clean, contextual reference.

A feed embed is a site feature. It shows your Instagram account as an ongoing presence on your website and not just a citation in a single piece of content. It updates as you post, looks designed for your site, and reflects your current activity instead of a single moment.

Embedding a Single Post

Instagram has a built-in embed tool that makes embedding a single post easy. 

Open the post in a desktop browser, click the three-dot icon, select Embed, and copy the HTML. In the WordPress editor, add a Custom HTML block and paste the code. The post appears right away.

The result is clean and works well for any sort of editorial use. The downside is that it only shows that one post as it was when you copied the code. It won’t update, can’t show multiple posts, and doesn’t track your account activity beyond that single post.

Embedding a Feed (Using a Plugin)

To embed your full feed, you’ll need an Instagram feed plugin. The plugin connects to your Instagram account and automatically pulls your posts into WordPress, showing them in a layout you can adjust.

Elevated Instagram Feed, for example, guides you through a 7-step setup to connect your account and set up your feed’s look. 

You can pick a layout like grid, slider, or mosaic, and adjust things like columns, image size, and spacing. 

You then place the feed anywhere on your site with a shortcode.

Once you embed the feed, it stays current automatically. Every new post you add to Instagram appears in the feed without further action on your end. 

The feed looks like it belongs on your site rather than being imported from somewhere else because you control its styling directly.

The Key Distinction in Practice

If you’re building a homepage for a restaurant client with Breakdance, a single embedded Instagram post won’t show visitors how active the account is. A live feed will.

If you’re making a portfolio page for a photographer, embedding just one post doesn’t give potential clients much information about their work. A feed that shows their latest posts does.

Whenever you want to show ongoing Instagram activity, not just a single post, a feed embed is the better choice.

Bringing It All Together

WordPress’s built-in embed tool works well for adding a single post. You don’t need any extra tools for that.

But if you want Instagram to appear as a live, styled, and self-updating part of your site, you’ll need a plugin.

Elevated Instagram Feed is a good choice for this.

For other plugin options, see Best Instagram Feed Plugins for WordPress.