This site utilizes JavaScript to function correctly. Looks like it's disabled on your browser. Please enable it for your best experience.

For instructions on enabling JavaScript, click here

Skip to main content

Just Host Web Hosting Help

Facebook API Change - oEmbed

On October 24. 2020, an API change will cause unauthenticated Facebook and Instagram links across the web to break. To fix broken links and continue using oEmbed, users will need to generate an app ID with a developer account.

What is oEmbed?

For over 10 years, Facebook oEmbed has made it easy for users to share media across websites and social networks without having to worry about any coding. Facebook security updates will now require users to acquire developer app credentials in order to embed content that could previously be embedded with just a URL.

To learn more about this API change, please see WP Tavern's article: WordPress to Remove Facebook and Instagram oEmbed Providers.

How will this impact me? 

While this might not directly impact your website, many plugins are dependent on oEmbed, which will cause any unauthenticated content embedded from Facebook/Instagram to break.

What can I do?

If you notice that content previously embedded has broken following this change, you can use Jetpack or Smash Balloon to address the issue.

Using Jetpack

Jetpack, which comes automatically included for Just Host WordPress installations, partnered directly with Facebook to handle developer ID creation on the back-end. If a user activates Jetpack and connects their website to their Facebook account, as outlined in this article, the plugin will handle the process of registering a Facebook developer account, creating an app, and providing a token all through their service.

Using Smash Balloon

Smash Balloon already has a developer account and has found a way to share that with their users.

  • Users who already use Smash Balloon simply need to upgrade their plugin installation.
  • Users who are interested in installing Smash Balloon can do so, and then follow these steps:
    1. Navigate to Smash Ballon’s Facebook / Instagram feed plugin in the WordPress dashboard.
    2. Click the oEmbed navigation menu.
    3. Click on the Connect button.

To learn more, check out this article on fixing the Facebook and Instagram oEmbed issue with Smash Balloon.

Knowledgebase Article 75,960 views bookmark tags: api broken embed facebook instagram link oembed url wordpress


Was this resource helpful?

Did this resolve your issue?


Please add any other comments or suggestions about this content:





Recommended Help Content

This article will explain how to change the Site URL or Home URL setting in WordPress. This may be useful if you have moved your WordPress site or are planning to move your WordPress site.
Knowledgebase Article 274,826 views tags: home site url wordpress wordpresstools

Using WordPress with the Temporary URL
Knowledgebase Article 734,763 views tags: blog domain ip press resolve resolving staging temp temporary url word wordpress wrong

This article will explain how to change your WordPress Urls
Video "How-to" Tutorial 331,384 views tags: login temp troubleshooting urls wordpress

Related Help Content

How to embed a flash file in a webpage
Knowledgebase Article 313,180 views tags: audio embed flash swf video

Install Plugins These steps will help you install and select a WordPress plugin for your blog. Inside the WordPress Dashboard, select the Add New link from the Plugins menu. You can search for a plug
Getting Started Article 356,802 views tags: blog install link plugin wordpress

Install Themes These steps will help you install and select a WordPress theme for your blog. Inside the WordPress Dashboard, select the Add New Themes link in the Appearance Menu. You can search for
Getting Started Article 849,701 views tags: install link theme themes wordpress

How to change the name of your WordPress site without WP Tools
Knowledgebase Article 246,942 views tags: change domain update wordpress

This article will explain how to login to a website created with WordPress.
Knowledgebase Article 642,411 views tags: access admin change dashboard edit login site wordpress

This article explains how to deactivate, change or delete themes and plugins on a WordPress site without the dashboard.
Knowledgebase Article 293,813 views tags: access dashboard deactivate disable plugin plugins theme themes wordpress

This article explains how to find the database in use by a WordPress site.
Knowledgebase Article 329,560 views tags: database find wordpress

The Just Host cpanel theme will not work correctly on sub cpanels that are created through the WHM. This article will explain how to change the theme.
Knowledgebase Article 67,793 views tags: broken cpanel dedi dedicated reseller theme vps

** Google ad credits are only available to customers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom at this time.

¹ VAT (Value Added Tax) is not included in our advertised price and will be charged separately and itemized on invoices and billing information. Standard VAT rates based on EU Member State regulations may apply. Learn more.