Instagram permission levels explained
Instagram does not have one permission system — it has several, and which one applies depends on how you manage the account.
Is this your situation?
You want to know what someone can actually do once they have access to your Instagram account. You are trying to work out whether that access came through Page roles, Business Manager, an ad account, or shared access.
What it is
There are three ways to give someone appropriate permissions to boost an Instagram business account. One way is editing Page roles, which you can do if you own the connected Page. Another way is adding people to your Business Manager, which assigns roles for managing Page roles. A third way is adding people to your ad account, which gives permissions related to boosting. A separate option, shared access, lets you invite trusted people to access your account.
How Instagram handles this
- If you own the Page connected to your business's Instagram account, editing Page roles lets you give others permission to post or boost.
- Adding people to your Business Manager is a way to assign roles for managing Page roles.
- Adding people to your advertising account does not give them permissions to log in as you.
- Adding people to your advertising account does not let them see things on your profile that you haven't shared with them.
- Shared access may not be available to everyone.
Side by side
| Permission path | What it gives | What it does not give |
|---|---|---|
| Page roles | If you own the connected Page, permission to post or boost your business. | — |
| Business Manager | A way to assign roles for managing Page roles. | — |
| Ad account | Appropriate permissions related to boosting. | Things on your profile you haven't shared with them. |
| Shared access | Lets an account owner invite trusted people to access their Instagram account. | Availability to everyone. |
| Ad account login | — | Permissions to log in as you. |
Common mistakes
- Assuming ad account access means full control Adding someone to your ad account does not give them permission to log in as you.Why it happens: The boosting permission is mistaken for a login permission.Already happened: Audit who has access to your Instagram. Instagram Account Recovery
- Expecting shared access for every account Shared access may not be available to everyone.Why it happens: Eligibility is not checked before the invite is sent.Already happened: Audit who has access to your Instagram.
- Editing Page roles without owning the Page You can give posting or boosting permission through Page roles if you own the connected Page.Why it happens: Ownership of the Page is assumed rather than confirmed.
If this changes who is in control
You are not sure which path granted someone's current access. If you are unsure who holds which level, audit who has access to your Instagram.
Quick reference
| Term | Fact |
|---|---|
| Page roles | If you own the connected Page, you can give others permission to post or boost. |
| Business Manager | A way to assign roles for managing Page roles. |
| Ad account access | Appropriate permissions related to boosting. |
| Ad account login | No permission to log in as you. |
| Ad account profile view | No access to things on your profile you haven't shared. |
| Shared access | Lets an account owner invite trusted people to access their Instagram account. |
| Shared access eligibility | May not be available to everyone. |
| Permission paths | There are three ways to give appropriate permissions to boost an Instagram business account. |
Frequently asked questions
Does adding someone to my ad account let them post as me?
Adding people to your advertising account does not give them permissions to log in as you.
Can anyone edit Page roles for my business?
If you own the Page connected to your business's Instagram account, you can give others permission to post or boost.
Can I always invite someone through shared access?
Shared access may not be available to everyone.
What is shared access?
Shared access allows people to invite trusted people to access their Instagram account.
Keeping track of who has access
Confusion about who holds which permission builds as more people and tools get layered onto one account. Delvia keeps a clear record of which permission path each person actually has.
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