Complete Guide to Building Your Instagram Feed Section

This guide walks you through everything you need to know to set up, customize, and optimize the Instagram Feed section in your Shopify theme. From adding images and videos to enabling an interactive modal gallery with product links, this section helps you create a social-driven experience that boosts engagement and conversion.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Getting Started

3. Section Settings

4. Adding Instagram Posts

5. Media Types

6. Modal Features

7. Best Practices

8. Troubleshooting

9. Advanced Tips

10. Conclusion

Introduction

The Instagram Feed section allows you to display curated Instagram-style content directly on your Shopify storefront. It supports multiple media formats (images, MP4, YouTube, Vimeo), includes a dynamic modal viewer, and integrates seamlessly with your products.

Key Features

• Interactive Modal Gallery — Click any post to open a full-screen modal with smooth navigation

• Multi-Media Support — Images, MP4 video uploads, YouTube, and Vimeo

• Built-in Product Linking — Attach up to four products per post

• Smart Preloading — Ensures fast and smooth user experience

• Fully Responsive Layout — Looks great on desktop, tablet, and mobile

• Customizable Grid — Control spacing, item count per row, and alignment

Getting Started

Step 1: Add the Section

1. Go to Shopify Admin → Online Store → Themes → Customize

2. Select the page where your feed will appear

3. Click Add section

4. Search for Instagram Feed

5. Add it to the page

Step 2: Configure the Header

Customize your section header:

• Heading (e.g., Follow Us on Instagram)

• Subheading

• Alignment (left / center / right)

Section Settings

Header Settings

Heading

• Type: Text

• Default: “Instagram Feed”

• Suggestion: Use a short, punchy title (3–5 words)

Subheading

• Type: Text

• Purpose: Add context or encourage customers to follow your account

• Tip: Great place to include brand voice or a call-to-action

Content Alignment

• Options: Left / Center / Right

• Default: Center

Layout Settings

Items Per Row

• Options: 3, 4, 5, 6

• Default: 3

• Recommendations:

  • 3 per row: Best for visual impact

  • 4 per row: Balanced and content-rich

  • 5–6 per row: Suitable for dense, fast-scroll layouts

Grid Gap

• Range: 0–32px

• Default: 16px

• Visual Tips:

  • 0–8px → Modern, compact

  • 12–16px → Clean, balanced

  • 20–32px → Airy, premium feel

Section Padding

• Top / Bottom: 0–100px

• Default: 36px

• Tip: Add more padding for clean separation between sections

Adding Instagram Posts

How to Add a New Post Block

1. In the section editor, click Add block → Instagram Post

2. Upload your media (image or video)

3. Add content (title, description, hashtags)

4. Optionally add up to four linked products

5. Repeat (max 12 posts recommended)

Post Block Settings

Media Settings

Image

• Required unless using video

• Recommended:

  • 1:1 ratio

  • 1080×1080px

  • Optimized under 500KB

Video

Supports three types:

• MP4 upload

• YouTube link

• Vimeo link

MP4 Tips:

• Use H.264 codec

• Keep under 50MB

• Add a poster image

Content Settings

Show Title

• Toggle on/off

• Disable for a clean, minimal gallery look

Title

• Keep it concise (5–10 words)

Description

• Supports rich text, links, hashtags

• Aim for 1–3 short sentences

• Add call-to-action where relevant

Tag (Hashtag)

• Great for categories, moods, or branded hashtags

Product Integration

• Select up to 4 products

• Appears inside modal

• Helps connect visual content to shoppable items

• Best practice: 1–3 relevant products only

Media Types

Images

• Formats: JPG, PNG, WebP

• Best Use:

  • JPG → photography

  • PNG → graphics

  • WebP → best performance

Videos

MP4

• Auto-plays inside modal

• Mute toggle + play/pause controls

• Supports loop

YouTube & Vimeo

• Paste the URL

• Automatically detects embed format

• Uses platform-native controls

Modal Features

The modal enhances the browsing experience with:

Navigation

• Previous / Next buttons

• Arrow keys support

• Click outside to close

• ESC to close

Content Layout

• Desktop: Media left, content right

• Mobile: Stacked vertically

Video Controls

• MP4: Play/Pause + Sound toggle

• YouTube/Vimeo: Native controls

Best Practices

Content Strategy

• Keep dimensions and style consistent

• Prioritize clean, well-lit images

• Use meaningful captions and relevant hashtags

• Highlight lifestyle content to increase engagement

Technical Best Practices

• Optimize all media before upload

• Keep videos short and compressed

• Avoid more than 12 posts for best performance

Design Tips

• Maintain consistent spacing

• Match colors to brand theme

• Ensure good contrast

• Test both light and dark backgrounds

Troubleshooting

Images Not Loading

• Check file size (< 500KB)

• Re-upload the image

• Confirm supported format

Videos Not Working

• MP4 must use H.264

• YouTube/Vimeo must be public

• Re-check URLs

Modal Doesn’t Open

• Confirm JavaScript is enabled

• Check browser console for errors

• Re-save the section

Layout Looks Off

• Re-check item per row

• Adjust grid gap

• Ensure all images share the same ratio

Advanced Tips

Creative Uses

• Seasonal campaigns

• Behind-the-scenes posts

• Product tutorials

• Customer-generated content

• New collection announcements

Conversions & Analytics

Track performance by:

• Modal open rate

• Product click rate

• Time spent in modal

• Scroll and engagement behavior

Conclusion

The Instagram Feed Section is a flexible, high-impact tool that brings visual storytelling into your Shopify storefront. When used thoughtfully—with optimized media, consistent styling, and meaningful product connections—it can significantly increase engagement, trust, and conversions.

Take your time to experiment, test, and refine your layout.

A great Instagram feed becomes a powerful extension of your brand.

Happy building! 🎨✨