Facebook JavaScript SDK and Instagram Embed Script
Table of Contents
The provided code snippets are JavaScript includes used to integrate Facebook social plugins and Instagram embeds into a webpage. Thes scripts allow website owners to display Facebook content (like Like buttons, comments, and shares) and embed Instagram posts directly on their sites.
Facebook JavaScript SDK
The Facebook JavaScript SDK enables interaction with Facebook APIs, allowing developers to build social features into their websites. ItS a client-side library that loads Facebook’s social plugins and provides methods for authenticating users and accessing their data (with permission).
Detail: The code initializes the SDK by defining an anonymous function that executes after the document has loaded. It sets the language to English (United Kingdom) – `en_GB` – and specifies that the `xfbml` (Facebook Markup Language) should be enabled. `xfbml=1` tells the SDK to parse Facebook tags in the HTML and render the corresponding social plugins. The script is then dynamically added to the document’s head.
Example: A website might use the Facebook SDK to display a Like button for a particular article. The HTML for the Like button would include a Facebook tag, such as `
Further information about the Facebook JavaScript SDK is available from Facebook for Developers.
Instagram Embed Script
The Instagram embed script allows users to display individual Instagram posts directly on their websites. This provides a way to showcase visual content from Instagram without requiring visitors to leave the website.
Detail: the script is loaded asynchronously using the `` tag. The `async` attribute ensures that the script doesn’t block the loading of other page elements. Once loaded, the script parses Instagram oEmbed URLs within the HTML and replaces them with embedded Instagram posts.
Example: To embed an Instagram post, a website owner would include an oEmbed URL in the HTML, such as `
`. The instagram embed script then fetches the post and displays it within the `blockquote` element.
Official documentation for Instagram’s embed feature can be found at Instagram Developers.
- Meta Platforms, Inc.: The parent company of both Facebook and Instagram. Meta About page
- Facebook for Developers: The official portal for developers using Facebook’s APIs and SDKs. Facebook for Developers
- Instagram Developers: The official portal for developers using Instagram’s APIs and embedding features.Instagram Developers
Latest Verified Status (as of 2026/01/17 07:42:43): Both the Facebook JavaScript SDK and the Instagram embed script remain actively maintained and are the recommended methods for integrating these platforms into websites. No breaking changes or meaningful updates have been reported as of this date. Developers should always consult the official documentation for the most up-to-date information and best practices.
