Connecting Your Instagram (And Why It's Required)
Creator sign-up is opening soon. This article describes the designed creator experience — what connecting your Instagram will look like when creator sign-up goes live. Nothing here is live yet.
Connecting Instagram is the one step in creator sign-up that can't be skipped for you. It's quick, it's read-only, and it does two important jobs at once. Here's exactly what it does, what PrepSmart can (and can't) see, and how to fix it if the connection doesn't go through the first time.
Why You Connect Instagram
When you reach the Connect & confirm your details step, you'll be asked to link your Instagram account. It does two things:
1. It verifies that you are you
This is a required security step. Connecting Instagram confirms you actually own the account — which is what keeps anyone else from posing as you, claiming your recipes, and collecting earnings that should be yours. Your name and your recipes are valuable, and verification is how PrepSmart protects them. It's the single step we can't complete on your behalf.
2. It imports your recipes and profile
Once you're connected, the team of experts building your profile can securely pull in your account information and the recipes you've already posted — and rebuild them as the guided meal plans, shopping lists, and cooking checklists your fans will use. That's how a profile, bio, brand voice, and organized recipe collections can be ready for you to review and approve instead of built from a blank page.
What PrepSmart Can Access (Read-Only)
When you tap Connect Instagram, you'll see an Instagram authorization screen. PrepSmart receives only the information below — and only to build your creator profile:
- Profile & username — your handle, name, and bio
- Recipes & media you've posted — so they can be rebuilt as guided plans
- Follower & audience count — which powers your earnings forecast
Access is read-only. PrepSmart cannot post, like, comment, message, or follow on your behalf, and it can't change anything on your account. On the authorization screen you'll confirm you're logged in to the right account, then tap Allow access.
You can disconnect at any time from Instagram → Settings → Apps and websites.
If the Connection Fails
Sometimes your login works but Instagram doesn't share your data, and you'll land on a screen that says "We couldn't connect your Instagram." This is almost always a quick settings fix on Instagram's side. Run down this checklist, then tap Try connecting again:
- Use a Creator or Business account. PrepSmart can only import from a professional account. In Instagram, go to Settings → Account type and switch to professional.
- Make your profile visible. A private account hides your posts from the import. Go to Settings → Account privacy and turn off Private account. (You can switch it back afterward.)
- Allow every permission. On the Instagram authorization screen, tap Allow — not Cancel — and keep all the boxes checked.
- Picked the right handle? If you manage more than one account, make sure you selected your creator handle on the Instagram screen.
If the recipe import specifically comes back empty, it's usually the privacy setting: flip your account to public for a moment so your recipes can be pulled in, then switch it back once the import finishes.
Can I Skip It for Now?
You can continue through sign-up and connect Instagram later from inside the app — but a few things stay on hold until you do:
- Your profile build can't start, because verification and recipe import both depend on the connection.
- You can't go live until your account is verified.
In the meantime you can still explore your home and start planning your launch. But because connecting is what verifies you and kicks off your build, the sooner you connect, the sooner your profile is ready and you can go live. It's the one step we can't skip for you.
Quick Recap
- Connecting Instagram verifies you own the account (anti-impersonation) and imports your recipes and profile.
- Access is read-only — PrepSmart can't post, message, or change anything, and you can disconnect anytime.
- If it fails, check that you're on a Creator/Business account, your profile is public, and you allowed every permission — then try again.
- You can connect later, but your build and go-live wait until you do.
Questions about connecting your account? Reach the team at support@useprepsmart.com.