Using API Limits and Delays for Instagram
Introduction
You may be seeing this advice from our support team to use API Limits and Delays for Instagram especially when you are getting blocks or verification requests but what are these settings and how can they help keep your Instagram accounts safe?
Where can I find them?
To access these settings, go to Social Profiles > select one Instagram account > put a check on Show Advanced Profile Settings.
For API Limits, there are global settings available under Settings > Social Platforms > Instagram > Delays.
How do they help my accounts?
Let’s go over each of the options below:
- Delay all tools after an account is verified – this option is helpful if you do not want the tools to start executing actions immediately after the account logs in. When you verify your account, it will have a Delayed status and it will stay that way for the x and y minutes duration you’ve set, then it will only switch to being Valid once the duration lapses.
- Delay account when Instagram logs you out from your current session – there are times when IG logs you out. When this happens, the account will have a Delayed status for the x and y minutes specified. Your account will be automatically logged in after the delay.
- Delay all tools when API errors exceed a given value – use this option to have the accounts on a Delayed status once they reach x and y API errors per hour and per day. The delay will serve as a break so that the account will not perform too many API errors in a given time.
- Delay all tools when API calls exceed a given value – use this option to have the accounts on a Delayed status once they reach x and y API calls per hour and per day. The delay will serve as a break so that the account will not perform too many API calls in a given time.
- Delay all tools when getting please wait a few minutes – this will place the account on a Delayed status for x and y minutes if any API call returns with the “please wait a few minutes” error.
- Enable delay on second error – instead of getting delayed at the first instance, it will wait for the second consecutive “please wait a few minutes” error.
- Enable API limits – this option will have the accounts wait some time if they perform too many API calls in a specific interval of time.
Important reminders
📌 You may use these options for both main and scraper Instagram accounts.
📌 What we usually advise clients to use when they get verification requests/blocks are options 3, 4, and 6 since this is where the API calls/errors are being monitored.
📌 The values in the image above are the starting values that we recommend our clients to use. Just like any other setting, the values here may work for some while they may not be suitable for others as accounts perform differently. That said, feel free to adjust the values to see with which values will your accounts perform best.
📌As previously mentioned, the accounts will get a Delayed status in Social Profiles once they meet the conditions of options 1 to 5. They will not be able to do actions while they are in a Delayed status and you’ll need to wait before they turn Valid again, or you can mark them as valid.
Conclusion
The API Limits and Delay settings for Instagram accounts are essential for maintaining account safety and preventing blocks or verification requests. By enabling specific options, users can effectively manage their accounts and avoid exceeding certain thresholds. With these settings, users can enhance the security and stability of their Instagram accounts.