diff --git a/docs/configuration.rst b/docs/configuration.rst
index e595fb4c..f806298b 100644
--- a/docs/configuration.rst
+++ b/docs/configuration.rst
@@ -1468,6 +1468,20 @@ Description
     for details)
 
 
+extractor.instagram.api
+-----------------------
+Type
+    ``string``
+Default
+    ``"auto"``
+Description
+    Selects which API endpoints to use.
+
+    * ``"rest"``: REST API - higher-resolution media, only usable when logged in
+    * ``"graphql"``: GraphQL API - lower-resolution media, partially accessible when not logged in
+    * ``"auto"``: Use REST API when logged in, GraphQL API otherwise
+
+
 extractor.instagram.include
 ---------------------------
 Type
diff --git a/docs/gallery-dl.conf b/docs/gallery-dl.conf
index 346945f0..497fa4a8 100644
--- a/docs/gallery-dl.conf
+++ b/docs/gallery-dl.conf
@@ -156,8 +156,9 @@
         {
             "username": null,
             "password": null,
+            "api": "auto",
             "include": "posts",
-            "sleep-request": 8.0,
+            "sleep-request": [6.0, 12.0],
             "videos": true
         },
         "khinsider":
diff --git a/gallery_dl/extractor/instagram.py b/gallery_dl/extractor/instagram.py
index 7000a944..04c06bf4 100644
--- a/gallery_dl/extractor/instagram.py
+++ b/gallery_dl/extractor/instagram.py
@@ -43,8 +43,15 @@ class InstagramExtractor(Extractor):
 
     def items(self):
         self.login()
-        self.api = (InstagramRestAPI(self) if self._logged_in else
-                    InstagramGraphqlAPI(self))
+
+        api = self.config("api")
+        if api is None or api == "auto":
+            api = InstagramRestAPI if self._logged_in else InstagramGraphqlAPI
+        elif api == "graphql":
+            api = InstagramGraphqlAPI
+        else:
+            api = InstagramRestAPI
+        self.api = api(self)
 
         data = self.metadata()
         videos = self.config("videos", True)