When Instagram first came to the app store there was only 1 account type available… and that was a personal account.
However, since becoming a platform that businesses thrive on, Instagram decided to introduce professional accounts that split into two categories: creator and business.
Now, with 3 different account types to choose from when setting up your Instagram account, it can be difficult to know which is best for you, so we’re here to help you get to grips with the differences between each account type…
Personal account
Who are Instagram personal accounts for?
Instagram personal accounts are meant for individuals that are only interested in sharing personal photos, videos, and other content with friends, family, and followers.
When setting up your Instagram account for the first time, it will automatically be set to a personal account by default. Therefore, if you have an Instagram account and you haven’t done anything to deliberately change your account type, you will have a Personal Account.
The main advantage of a personal account is the fact that you can set your account to be private, meaning that you have to approve any new followers that try to follow you and therefore no one that you haven’t approved will be able to look through your account.
Business account
Who are Instagram business accounts for?
Instagram business accounts are originally designed for actual businesses, rather than individuals.
An Instagram business account is a professional account meant to help businesses connect with their prospective and existing customers.
Some of the benefits of having an Instagram Business account include:
- Insights – This feature provides valuable data about your followers, such as demographics, engagement metrics (often used to track how actively involved with your content your audience is and how effective your brand campaigns are), and when they are most active.
- Contact buttons – With a Business account you will also be able to add a call-to-action button to your profile, such as “Call” or “Email”
- Promotions – Business accounts allow you to create and promote sponsored posts to reach a wider audience.
- Shopping – Having a Business account will also mean you can tag products in your posts and stories, allowing your followers to purchase directly through your Instagram posts and stories.
Creator account
Who are Instagram creator accounts for?
Creator accounts are a type of account originally designed for public figures, content creators, and influencers.
A creator account offers features that are not available in personal accounts, such as access to detailed insights, the ability to add a contact button to the profile, and the ability to filter and organise direct messages just like the business account.
Creator accounts still have access to features such as Instagram Reels and Instagram Lives, however you have the ability to be more creative when it comes to Reels as you get access to a wider range of audio compared to business and personal accounts.
Instagram also provides support to creator accounts through their Creator Studio, which provides analytics and management tools to help you grow your audience and improve your content.
Should I use a creator or business account on Instagram?
Choosing between a creator and a business account depends on your objectives and your Instagram marketing strategy.
Both accounts have their own advantages, so it’s important to assess your specific goals, preferences, and strategies to make an informed decision. You could also experiment with both account types to see which one aligns better with your objectives.
If you are an individual looking to showcase your personal brand, share your creative work, or build a following around your personality or skills, a creator account may be more suitable for you.
If you are representing a business, brand, or organisation and want to promote products or services, access business-specific features, and gain insights into your audience, a business account is a better option.
Creator accounts provide access to analytics related to followers, reach, engagement, and content performance. They also offer features like the ability to categorise your profile and direct messaging filtering.
Whereas Business accounts provide additional features like Instagram Shopping, promoted posts, call-to-action buttons on your profile, and integration with Facebook ads and insights.
How to switch to a business account on Instagram
- Go to your Instagram profile
- Click on the 3 lines in the top right corner
- Click ‘Settings’ then ‘Account’
- Click ‘Switch Account Type’
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