How to extract data from Instagram insights onto Google Sheets - Tutorial and Proven Strategies

If you think of social media marketing, the first thing that comes to your mind is Instagram. 

Almost everybody uses Instagram today. Statistics cite that Instagram has over 2 billion monthly users, and this number is growing. This sheer volume of users attracts marketers from different industries, businesses, and backgrounds. , such as

Every business is trying to crack Instagram in its way. That’s where Instagram Insights comes in handy. This analytical section of Instagram gives you all your KPIs and specific insights like when most of your audience is online, top-performing posts based on various categories, and more. 

However, without understanding or strategy, these insights could be overwhelming and might not help you much. In this article, we’ll discuss ways to track, analyze, and optimize your business with Instagram insights. 

What will you find here? 

1. How to extract Instagram data onto Google Sheets? (in under 2 minutes)
2. How to Build an Instagram Analytics Strategy?

How to extract Instagram Insights onto Google Sheets?

In this article, we’ll cover quick and effective methods to extract Instagram Insights to Google Sheets. To get started, you must install the Two Minute Reports add-on to Google Sheets. Here’s a step-by-step installation tutorial if you need help: How to install Two Minute Reports

Once installed, you can proceed to follow two major methods: 

• Method 1: Connecting Instagram Insights to Google Sheets using the sidebar
• Method 2: Connecting Instagram Insights to Google Sheets using in-built templates

Method 1: Create an Instagram Insights report using the sidebar

Step 1: Adding the Data Source

• Open Google Sheets and launch Two Minute Reports (TMR) from the extensions menu. The TMR sidebar appears on the right side of the screen. 

Note: This is the primary interface of TMR, along with all its tools and features. 

• Click the dropdown menu button and navigate to the Data Sources section. 

• Click on the blue “Add” button to start configuring a new data source for extraction. First, name the data source appropriately to locate it for future use.

• Use the dropdown menu below to find all available data sources. From here, locate Instagram Insights—you can simply type in the text box in the menu to search for it. 
• Once you select the data source, click “Login with Facebook.” This will take you to the authorization screen.  

Note: If you get an error message during authorization, check that you’ve signed in with the right Instagram or Facebook account. 

• While you log into your Facebook account, you have to choose one of the two options:
  • To authorize TMR to extract insights from the current Facebook/IG page. 
  • To authorize TMR to extract insights from the current and all future Facebook/IG pages. 

• Click “Continue” to complete authorization. Your Instagram Insights account will then be added to the TMR data sources list. 

Step 2: Creating a Query

A Data Query is an instruction for Two Minute Reports to extract data from the saved data source. 

• To create a query, click the Menu button to the left and go to the Data Queries section. 
• In this section, you’ll find all data queries you create with Two Minute Reports. To create a new query, click on “Add +”. 

• Name the data query appropriately, and choose the accounts from which you need to extract data. 

Note: For agencies, you can create data queries that combine multiple accounts and data sources with the Client option. This feature lets you combine a client’s accounts to create a unified dashboard with multi-channel data. Here’s how you create a query using the Clients feature: read here. 

• Next, select the metrics to include in your report. You can search for these metrics in the search bar at the top or use the dropdown menu to find the relevant metrics. 
  
  Note: Make sure to explore the various available categories and metrics. Each metric could add value to your report. 

• Finally, set the report’s dimensions. Below the Metrics section, you can search for the dimensions using the search bar or explore the various categories in the “Dimensions” dropdown menu.
• After selecting your combination of metrics and dimensions, you can set the date range for the report. You can choose a predefined date range provided in Two Minute Reports or create a custom range. 
• You can also organize and filter your data from within the sidebar. 
  • To organize, click on the “Sort” dropdown section, select the relevant data fields, and choose whether you want to sort the data in ascending or descending order. 
  • You can do the same in the “Filter” dropdown section to add custom filters or currency conversions to your data. 
  • You can also tweak your report with other options like including time values, or even merging new data with old. 

• Once you’ve defined your query, you can run it to visualize the final output. This query fetches the data from the data source onto the sheet and cell of your choice. 

Pro TMR Tip: Run all your queries directly from the Extensions menu on your Google Sheets. Go to Extensions > Two Minute Reports > choose your desired quick action.

Method 2: Create Instagram Reports with templates

Two Minute Reports offers a gallery of pre-built templates that help you build intuitive and visual reports within minutes. These templates have visual aids and the right combination of metrics to reduce all the effort and time needed to create reports. Each template in TMR’s gallery is designed to build specific purposes, get an overall view, or track one specific area. 

To use Two Minute Reports templates, create a data source and authorize it from step 1 in the previous method. 

• Once the data source is created and authorized, you can access the Templates Gallery from the Two Minute Reports sidebar menu. 

Note: You can also open the templates gallery directly from Extensions > Two Minute Reports > Templates

• In the Template Gallery, you can filter the template that fits your purpose by category or data source. You can also search for specific templates if you have something in mind. 

Note: Two Minute Reports offers a vast range of templates. Explore all the templates to find one that fits your purpose. 

• Once you find the right template, click “Use” to build your template. Then, choose the preferred data source and the relevant Accounts.

• Name your report, and click “Submit” to create the report. 

Note: Your report will be created in a new Google Spreadsheet. 

• Click on “Go to Spreadsheet” to access the new report. Once the new report opens up, launch the “Two Minute Reports” sidebar.

• Open the menu next to the “Add” button and click “Run All Queries” to update the template with your data within the date range. 
• Once the queries are complete, the template will be updated with your data! 

Scheduling Data Refresh and Emails 

Here’s what you’ve done so far: 

• Installed Two Minute Reports (TMR)
• Created a Data Source (Instagram Insights) in TMR
• Created a Data Query that fetches your data

Now you have your data in your Google Spreadsheet. The next time you need fresh data, you can rerun the query. 

Or, you can automate your data queries. 

With the “Schedule Refresh” feature, TMR runs automatically, constantly refreshing your queries at your desired date, time, and duration. With this feature, you can also receive your updates via email. Here’s how you set this feature up. 

• Click the Menu and then on Schedule Reports to open the section. 

• Click “New” to add a new “Schedule,” instructing Two Minute Reports to run the query automatically. 

• Name the Schedule and choose the query to automate. 

• Now, choose the frequency and timing to automate your data query 
  • Choose the frequency: Hourly, Daily, Monthly
  • The designated day for the refresh
  • The time for the refresh
• Under the actions section, you can opt for an email notification every time the Schedule runs your query. 

• Next, configure your notification email:
  • Choose the sheet to report
  • Add the main and cc email IDs
  • Add the subject line and even the body of your notification

• You can also choose if you want to send the report as:
  • Part of the body
  • As a PDF attachment
  • Attach the selected sheet as an Excel spreadsheet
  • Attach the entire spreadsheet as an Excel spreadsheet

• Save the refresh, and rest assured – TMR will refresh your data at the desired intervals. 

Why Two Minute Reports (TMR)?

1. Centralized data integration: TMR is a Google Sheets add-on that consolidates your metrics from various platforms, including top advertising sources and analytics tools. It eliminates the need for manual CSV imports, creating a seamless data flow from TikTok Ads to Google Sheets.
2. Extensive integrations and upcoming features: TMR’s Google Sheets add-on currently supports integrations with various platforms across advertising, analytics, SEO, social media, e-commerce, email, mobile, CRM, and databases. This includes Facebook, TikTok Ads, LinkedIn, and many more, with exciting upcoming integrations to enhance its capability.
3. Intuitive reporting: The TMR add-on helps create professional, mobile-friendly reports. The intuitive interface enables you to craft and customize reports and share them with unlimited users.
4. Cost-effective and user-friendly: TMR is a user-friendly add-on with no steep learning curve and is priced affordably–without sacrificing functionality.
5. Native connectors and API Bridge: Native connectors simplify pulling data from various sources. The API Bridge feature allows connection to any data source that returns JSON, making data accessibility limitless in Google Sheets.
6. Efficiency and customization: TMR’s add-on helps you set up dashboards swiftly with pre-built templates that can be customized and duplicated. Templates also streamline report generation and client setup.
7. Automatic data refreshes and reports: TMR enables you to schedule data to refresh automatically in Google Sheets and send beautifully formatted reports via email, saving time and keeping clients informed with the latest data.

Two Minute Reports is not just about data consolidation but also about empowering businesses. With TMR’s AI-powered report creation and report configuration tools, your business can now automate and streamline reporting processes, making data-driven decisions quicker and more efficient. 

Why import Instagram Insights data in Google Sheets? 

Google Sheets has been a popular option for creating reports, including TikTok Ads, Google Ads, and Facebook (Meta) Ads. 

Add-ons and extensions

Google Sheets can integrate several key functions through add-ons. For example, with an add-on like Two Minute Reports, you can extract data, manage data, create reports, and even schedule reports.    

Optimized data management

By constantly integrating your TikTok Ads data to Google Sheets, you don’t have to download CSV files, analyze, and create reports manually. Real-time data is fresh and actionable, ensuring you’re always working with the most current information. 

Comprehensive data analysis

Insightful metrics and collaborative accessibility are key benefits when using Google Sheets to manage your website/app’s performance. With a TikTok Ads add-on, you can dissect and analyze data, compare them, and create custom metrics that align with your business goals. 

Collaborative access

Building a spreadsheet also allows for seamless collaboration between functions in your organization. The ease of data accessibility allows teams to work together with real-time data, fostering a highly collaborative environment. 

Customization and flexibility

Importing TikTok Ads data into Google Sheets allows you to customize your reports according to your needs. Google Sheets allows the proper arrangement of the metrics and dimensions most relevant to your business goal for practical analysis. 

Workflow efficiency

Setting up automated workflows to channel data from TikTok Ads to Google Sheets effectively streamlines the data journey from source to analysis. This process ensures seamless synchronization when connecting TikTok Ads to Google Sheets, enabling consistent workflow management by synchronizing your datasets.

Marketing strategy enhancement

When you export TikTok Ads data into Google Sheets, you can simultaneously evaluate performance across multiple channels. This approach enables you to make data-driven decisions that enhance the effectiveness of your marketing strategy.

Which metrics from Instagram Analytics should you track?

Once a user receives an email, SMS, or push notification, any interaction could be crucial to your campaign. Instagram records every click, scroll, and second through its

Every metric is indeed important. However, you need not track all the metrics; you should choose the ones that make the most sense to your goals. Follow these steps to build a strong Email, SMS, or push notification strategy with Instagram (and TMR, of course).

1. Understanding Instagram: Find out how you can use Instagram to serve your business goals. Instagram works differently for different purposes, underscoring the importance of exploring it. 
    
2. Setting Goals: Is it Reach? Do you want to attract business partnerships through content? Set goals that match your business goals. 
    
3. Identifying the key metrics: Understanding KPIs for your Instagram goals is the first step to cracking analytics. Knowing how KPIs work gives you an idea of what to track and how to interpret your data. 

The top Instagram metrics for brand reach

• Impressions
• Reach
• Follower Growth Rate
• Profile Views

The top Instagram conversion metrics 

• Link Clicks
• Conversion Rate
• Story Click-through Rate (CTR)

1. Analytics and Reporting: Reporting is the final and the most crucial step in tracking data. A well-presented visual report could help you compare performance and draw inferences from your KPIs to optimize your IG operations. 

Get Instagram data in Looker Studio

Two Minute Reports can be installed to integrate Instagram's organic data with Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio), enabling advanced data analysis and visualization. 

This Instagram add-on allows the creation of detailed reports and dashboards using insights from Instagram insights without the complexity of manual data entry. Looker Studio’s customization capabilities also let users craft custom formulas in a user-friendly interface. 

With seamless integration, comprehensive analytical capabilities, and automated workflows, strategic business intelligence from Instagram has just become quicker and more accessible. 

Connect other platform Data Sources with Google Sheets

With this add-on, you can connect 30+ Data Sources to Google Sheets, create additional reports, create visualizations, and build a comprehensive report. 

Facebook Ads

Social media ad platform for targeted audience reach.

Google Ads

Advertising platform for displaying ads on Google's search results pages.

Linkedin Ads

Professional social media platform's advertising data source.

Snapchat Ads

Social media advertising platform for Snapchat users.

Learn more about combining your data across multiple platforms here.