Frequently asked questions
You might find answers to some of your questions here. If not, contact your Instacart representative.
Does Instacart support implementing deep linking on the URL returned as a response when a request is made to create a shopping list or recipe?
Yes, Instacart does support deep linking the URL returned from both the Create shopping list page and the Create recipe page endpoints. The URL returned opens the Instacart app. This is present in both iOS and Android applications.
On iOS, the URL may open the web app rather than the Instacart app. This behavior can be caused by frequently testing manual input to the browser, which causes the iOS platform to automatically assign the URL to open in Safari.
To re-enable deep linking to the Instacart app on your device, long-press the link in Safari and choose the Open in Instacart option to reset this setting. Alternatively, from the Open in the Instacart app banner, click the Open button.
What's the best practice for specifying brands in the brand_filters array?
Add only brand names in the brand_filters array. Add the product name in the LineItem object. If none of the brands in the array are available at a store, Instacart can return a link to suggested alternatives that match the product name.
Why was my API key access limited?
There are now two endpoints: /products/products_link and /products/recipe. Your initial API key may only have access to one endpoint. See the API keys page for more on creating multiple keys.
Why is the quantity of an item not correct in the Instacart cart?
If you are encountering issues where the quantity appears incorrect (i.e., selecting 2 jars of marinara sauce, but only 1 is added), consider checking if there is an override or mismatched unit handling in the API.
Instacart will attempt to match the quantity of an item on the recipes page from the given quantity measurements, but can not guarantee a successful quantity match.
Is there a way to use SKU numbers to add specific items to the cart?
Currently, SKU numbers are not a supported method for specifying items.
How can I ensure only specified brands are added to a cart?
brand_filters and health_filters can assist with product matching. For more, see Filters.
Can I specify liquid volumes in measurements other than ounces or pounds?
Yes, it's fine to use other units like cups or teaspoons for liquid measurements. For more on accepted measurement units, see Units of measurement.
What do I do if I encounter the shop lookup API returning errors?
This may be a temporary issue with Instacart servers. While we work on permanent solution, consider using fallback logic or ignoring this service until it stabilizes for production releases. For more, see Error and status codes.
Is it possible to retrieve products from multiple retailers?
Users are able to add items from multiple retailers to a cart, however, we maintain a separate cart for each retailer since each cart is fulfilled at different locations and treated as separate orders.
Can we choose a specific merchant, or would the user be able to select their preferred merchant to then access the corresponding list of products, which we will map to the ingredients?
Currently, directing users to a specific merchant is not supported. Instacart displays a default merchant based on a number of factors (including user location, product matching and availability, and user preferences). If a user has an existing account or session on Instacart they will be shown the items for their last selected retailer.
I see there is a keyword search feature-do you recommend we use this approach, or should we implement internal mapping of our products? When using keyword search, several variations might appear, such as a red tomato returning results for small cherry tomatoes or larger tomatoes. Could you confirm the best way to orchestrate your services and find the right product that matches the user’s request?
For now, IDP partners are limited to sending Instacart the product name. Instacart provides matching based on a variety of factors.