If you are trying to embed Instagram in WordPress, you are likely trying to add your entire Instagram feed to your website to display your posts in a way that stays current without any ongoing manual work on your end.
WordPress doesn't offer this natively. What it does support, through Instagram's native embed tool, is embedding individual posts on a page. That's a meaningful distinction, and understanding it helps explain why so many site owners end up using a dedicated Instagram feed-embedding plugin instead.
Why Embed Instagram in WordPress?
The reason you want to embed Instagram content in WordPress is most likely functional rather than decorative.
For example, a fitness coach who uses Instagram to share daily workout tips, client results, and program updates might have clear information on their website about the services they offer.
Without a live feed, however, the content doesn't reflect the full range of activity on their Instagram. If a client were to find their site, they would have no way of knowing how active, current, or engaged the coach actually is.
When an Instagram feed is embedded, it gives site visitors a real-time window into the site owner’s activities, which communicates credibility better than a static page ever could.
The same logic applies to e-commerce stores showcasing product photography, event venues sharing recent setups, or any business where visual content plays a key role in how people build trust in the brand.
Ways to Embed Instagram in WordPress
Two methods are available for embedding Instagram content in WordPress:
- Instagram's native embed tool
- An Instagram feed plugin
Instagram's Native Embed Tool
Instagram's embed tool is designed for sharing specific posts, not for building a feed. Below is a breakdown of how it works:
- Open any post in a desktop browser.
- Click the three-dot icon.
- Choose Embed, then copy the HTML code.
- Paste that code into a Custom HTML block in WordPress. The post will appear on your page immediately.
The embedding process is straightforward. The problem, however, is what it produces.
A single embedded post doesn't age well. If you embed a post from three months ago on your homepage and never update it, visitors see stale content and have no way to know you have actively shared other content on your Instagram account.
Also, with individual embeds, there's no visual coherence. They render as standalone Instagram UI elements rather than as part of a designed feed section.
If all you need to do is embed a post on your website to reference that specific content, this method of embedding Instagram posts is perfectly appropriate. But if your goal is to represent your Instagram presence as a whole, it isn't.
Using an Instagram Feed Plugin
An Instagram feed plugin creates a proper embed that functions as a connected, self-updating section of your website rather than a frozen snapshot of a single post.
The technical difference is that a plugin connects to Instagram via the API, which means your WordPress site has an active, authorized link to your Instagram account. Content can flow through that link automatically, with no hassle. When you share something new on Instagram, it appears in your WordPress feed without you ever having to go and update the site manually.
What this enables in practice goes beyond just keeping content fresh:
- You can embed the feed in multiple locations, such as the homepage, sidebar, or a dedicated social page, without managing each one separately.
- You can match the feed's appearance to your site using design controls, rather than inheriting Instagram's default styling.
- You can choose to show only certain content, which matters if your account covers multiple topics and only some are relevant to your website audience.
Elevated Instagram Feed
Elevated Instagram Feed gives you a full embed solution that goes well beyond what Instagram's native tool provides.
After connecting your account, an intuitive 7-step wizard guides you through configuring the feed's appearance and placing it anywhere on your site using a shortcode.
The styling controls let you adjust column count, spacing, image sizing, and more, so the feed looks like it belongs on your site rather than being imported from somewhere else.
Any new posts you share will appear in the feed automatically, and the plugin handles the API connection maintenance so you don't have to.
Final Thoughts
The way you embed Instagram in WordPress depends on what you're trying to achieve.
If your goal is simply to reference a specific Instagram post within existing content on your site, Instagram's native embed is a reasonable option. But if you want a live, designed feed that represents your Instagram presence as a whole on your site, a plugin is the only viable option.
Instagram’s native embed tool was built for sharing moments, not for maintaining a connected social presence. A dedicated Instagram feed plugin, on the other hand, was built for exactly that.
Elevated Instagram Feed is a strong choice for site owners who want an embed that works like a proper integration rather than a manually managed workaround.
For more plugin options to embed Instagram in WordPress, see our roundup of the best Instagram feed plugins for WordPress.
