Connect Google + and Instagram in six easy steps
Use Picasa 3 app, not Google.com
It’s only a matter of time before Instagram has a button that lets you post Instagram images to Google + in addition to Twitter, Flickr, Posterous and Facebook. Or before Google makes it easier somehow. In fact, for all I know there’s already a turnkey solution that I haven’t seen.
In the meantime I came upon these directions yesterday. They worked for me, but could use a little clarity. So if you’re among the active Instagram users base who would like your photos to appear in your Google + albums, here’s a more thorough explanation on how to to automatically link your Instagram images to your new Google + account. Note that the images will not appear as a status update or “share” in your stream, but they will end up in your photos, accessible to anyone you want, depending on your permission settings. Here you go.
- Make sure you have downloaded and installed Picasa. That is not simply picasaweb.google.com, but the downloadable app, version 3.8 for Mac, in my case, which has features that make it easier for you to upload images to your Picasa account.
- Download and install Dropbox. Dropbox is a free service that lets you store, access and share photos, docs and videos from any computer.
- Authorize Instagram to automatically post photos to your dropbox via Instadrop, a simple little app that makes this possible. Then take a photo and post to Instagram. A new folder should appear in your Dropbox. Note that only new photos, post installation, will appear.
- Next, go to your Picasa 3 app, not your Google account. Under “file” click on “add folder to Picasa.” (There is no “add folder” when you are accessing Picasa via Google.) The folder manager window will appear. You have to find your actual dropbox folder and click on scan always. If you can’t find your dropbox folder, try this: harddrive/users/yourname/dropbox. That’s the location of the folder. Don’t move the folder. Instead, in your folder manager, click on hard drive, then users, then your name, then dropbox. There should be an Instagram folder there, presuming you have posted to Instagram since linking Instadrop and Dropbox.
When the folder manager window appears find your actual dropbox folder and click on scan always. If you can’t find your dropbox folder, try this: harddrive/users/yourname/dropbox.
- Next check your Picasa 3 app. You will see the same Instagram folder – mine showed up under “other stuff.” Over on the top right of the window there is a button option Sync to Web: On (or off). Turn it on. This should link your dropbox images, which are automatically updated by Instagram, to Picasa.
- Lastly, go to your google.com account, click on photos (your Picasa photos) and the album will be there. You can set your privacy settings either there, under “actions” then “album properties,” or on Picasa 3 under “share.”
You are all set. Next time you post to Instagram it will appear in your dropbox, then in your Google photos and simultaneously in your Google Plus album
Should take you only a few minutes to set up if you already use Picasa. If you don’t you should. Chances are that if Google + takes off, this cloud-based photo storing/sharing service will become an even more essential part of your social footprint than it already is.
Comments
Once you post your photo to Instagram. You will see 3 dots at bottom right of your post. Touch them and choose share. It will ask where you want to share, Google+ will be a choice if app is on your phone.
nope, doesnt work, doesnt create the folder in my dropbox folder.
You have to post another photo to instagram, then it automatically creates the folder.
Anyway to import the captions as well?
ajf200 Only after the fact as far as I know. I'm sure it will all get better and easier soon.
You might also try Instaport, which exports your Instagram shots as a zipped archive to your desktop, then upload the batch right into Google+ as a new album:
http://instaport.me
Thank you!
Worked like a champ! Thanks for the tutorial!
Thanks for this post. Now if I could only get an invite to Google+, I could actually use it! :)
al.pittampalli Can't help you there at the moment. They keep getting turned off an on. Check with your Twitter friends. If not I will try when I get more.
If you're interested, I set up a way to post selective photos from Instagram to Google+:
1. Set up an account with ifttt.com
2. Connect channels for your Instagram and Gmail
3. In Picasa go to your settings and allow posting of images via email (a new album called "Drop Box" will be automatically created for your emailed photos)
4. Create a task in ifttt that is triggered by posting a photo to instagram with a unique #tag and have it create an email that sends the photo to Picasa
5. Share the Picasa album named Drop Box with your desired Circles.
bryanjones cool tip ! but how do you to get an iftt.com invite ? thanks anyway for this awesome automation.
Thanks for the walk through @edwardboches - but am I right if (like Facebook) Google+ only feeds the 1st pjhoto in each album? Making it nothing like the 'snippet and snapshots' picture feed we've come to love with Instagram?
snorrem edwardboches True, but not sure it is the same thing. Instagram is for cruising and sharing that stream of photos. Google + might be a way to share with non-Instagram users. Think of it as no different than any other folder of photos you upload.
edwardboches I see your point.
And I do agree to an extent, since G+ has a much wider approach to sharing. Though bulking events rather than cronologically feeding feels less, well current. And it's one of the things FB are doing wrong. Subjective opinion obviously. It'll be cool to follow G+ development in that respect
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