---
title: "Connect your first source"
description: "How to connect your first social or review source in EmbedSocial."
---

Everything in EmbedSocial starts with a source. In this guide, you will learn what a source is and connect your first one. Once it is connected, your content starts syncing automatically and you can build your first widget from it.

## What is a source?

A source in EmbedSocial refers to the **social media account or review platform** from which we pull the posts, reviews, or mentions.

*Example: 1 Google location = 1 source*

*1 Facebook page = 1 source*

*1 Instagram account = 1 source*

*1 Instagram hashtag = 1 source*

You can connect sources like Google, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, Threads, Trustpilot, and more. For the full list and what each source can pull, check [Understanding Sources in EmbedSocial](/docs/social-media-aggregator/understanding-sources/).

## How to connect a source

The flow is the same for every platform. Here is how it looks with **Google**, the most common first source:

:::steps
1. Go to the '**Sources**' tab and click the '**Add Source**' button at the top right corner.
![Opening the Sources tab and clicking on the Add Source button](/help-media/2747573/1.jpg)
2. Choose the platform you want to connect, for example '**Google**'.
![Choosing Google as a source](/help-media/2747573/2.jpg)
3. Click the '**Connect Google account**' button and **log in** with the account that manages the specific location or page from which you would like to pull the content.
![Clicking on the Connect Google account button](/help-media/2747573/3.jpg)
4. Next, choose the Google location you want to generate reviews from and click the '**Next**' button.
![Choosing the Google location and clicking on the Next button](/help-media/2747573/4.jpg)
:::

That's it! Your content will be generated in your EmbedSocial account.

> ❗Please note: for Instagram, only Business accounts can be connected due to Instagram's API rules. Personal profiles are not supported. [Here is the full Instagram walkthrough](/docs/social-media-aggregator/connect-instagram-business-account/).

## Your content syncs automatically

Once a source is connected, EmbedSocial keeps it fresh without manual work. Google reviews are pulled every 15 minutes. Most social sources update every 24 hours on the Free plan, every 3 hours on the Pro and Pro Plus plans, and every 30 minutes on the Premium and Enterprise plans. [Learn more about auto-sync and source health](/docs/social-media-aggregator/auto-sync-refresh-and-source-health/).

## FAQ

**Q: What counts as a source?**

One connected account, location, or hashtag. For example, 1 Google location = 1 source, 1 Facebook page = 1 source, 1 Instagram hashtag = 1 source.

**Q: How many sources can I connect?**

It depends on your plan. Plans are based on the number of sources you connect and use, up to 15 sources. If you need more, we offer Enterprise plans. See [Plans and what's included](/docs/getting-started/plans/).

**Q: Why can't I connect a personal Instagram profile?**

Due to Instagram's API rules, only Instagram Business accounts can be connected.

**Q: My source won't connect. What should I do?**

Check the most common causes in [Why I am unable to add a new source](/docs/troubleshooting/can-t-add-a-source/), or contact us on live chat.

## What's next

Your content is in. Now turn it into a display: [Create your first widget](/docs/getting-started/create-widget/).

> If you have any questions, click the bottom right chat icon to talk with our customer success team or send us an email at [support@embedsocial.com](mailto:support@embedsocial.com) We're here for you 🙏