In this article
Learn what authentication means, why you're being asked to do it, what data is shared (and what isn’t), and how to complete the process step by step:
What Keyhole is and why you’re being asked to authenticate
What data is shared with the brand or agency
How to complete the authentication step
Common issues and how to troubleshoot
What is Keyhole—and Why Am I Being Asked to Authenticate?
Let’s break it down.
You’re probably here because a brand, agency, or marketing partner has asked you to “authenticate” your social account through a secure Keyhole link.
Keyhole is a social media tracking platform used by your partner to measure the performance of campaigns. When you authenticate your social media account, it gives them access to richer data—like how your Stories or videos are performing, how many of your followers saw a post, and engaged with the content. The exact data depends on the platform.
📌 Keyhole never posts, comments, or interacts with your account.
Authentication gives read-only access to performance data. Think of it as securely sharing insights you already see in your own analytics.
What Happens When You Authenticate?
Authenticating your account shares the following metrics with your partner (varies by platform):
Follower demographics (age, gender, location)
Story or videos metrics (views, taps, exits–where supported)
Post reach and impressions
Engagement data (likes, shares, comments, saves)
Whether posts are boosted or organic (on Instagram/Facebook)
It does not give access to your login, inbox, DMs, or the ability to post.
Without authentication, only public metrics—like likes and comments—are visible.
Do I Need a Keyhole Account?
No, you don’t need a Keyhole account of your own—just click the link and approve the request. This connects your account to your partner’s tracker for reporting purposes.
How to Authenticate Your Account
Here’s what the process looks like:
Open the secure Keyhole link from your agency or partner
Click the link and select the platform (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok)
Follow the prompts to log in and approve access
For Instagram, make sure it's a Business or Creator account and connected to a Facebook Page (required by Meta)
When you reach the permissions screen, accept all checkboxes
That’s it—you’ll see a confirmation screen when authentication is complete
If you haven’t connected Instagram to a Facebook Page yet, you can follow this step-by-step guide:
Common Questions and Misunderstandings
What does “authenticate” actually mean? | It means logging in to your social media platform via a secure Keyhole link and approving read-only access to performance data. |
Will Keyhole post or interact on my behalf? | Never. Keyhole has read-only access to insights—nothing more. |
Why do I need to accept all permissions? | Meta (Facebook/Instagram) requires full permissions to share data like Stories or reach. Skipping any will block the connection. |
Why does Instagram need to be linked to a Facebook Page? | It’s a Meta requirement—this step unlocks access to performance metrics for Business or Creator profiles. |
What happens if I don’t authenticate? | Your partner can still see public info, but deeper insights like demographics or Story views won’t be available. |
Still Having Trouble?
Try these tips:
Make sure your Instagram is a Business or Creator account
Double check that your Instagram is linked to a Facebook Page
Try authenticating in a private or incognito browser
Make sure you’re accepting all permissions when prompted
Get Help
Still stuck? You can reach out directly to your agency or contact the Keyhole support team at [email protected]. We’re happy to walk you through it.