Skip to content With over billion monthly active users, Instagram has become one of the most successful social media platforms on the planet. According to Statista, in 2018, there were 114 million users in the United States, and experts project this number to reach 127 million by 2023. Whether you’re an individual sharing your personal life or a small business looking to grow, Instagram offers different account types to suit your needs. The Business and Creator accounts provide specialized tools to help brands,
public figures, content producers, artists, and influencers expand their reach and connect with customers. On the other hand, a personal Instagram account is ideal for everyday users who want to share their daily life with friends and family. But what if you want to switch between accounts? Changing your account type can unlock new features, but it also comes with advantages and disadvantages. This article will explore the differences between the two accounts, compare their perks, and help you determine which option is better for your needs.
Whether you’re a social media influencer, an entrepreneur, or a business-savvy social media user, upgrading your account can help you level up, expand your reach, and connect with a wider audience. But before making a decision, it’s essential to know the ins and outs of managing, planning, and executing your Instagram strategy. Reading this guide will help you understand the costs, time, and money involved in running a stronger brand and deciding if an upgrade is right for you. If you’re confused about the three account options—Personal, Creator, or Business—this guide will break it down step by step, so scroll through and find out which one fits your goals best!
Personal Account Vs Business Account Instagram
Why an Instagram Business Account Matters
An Instagram business account is more than just a profile—it’s a powerful way for brands and entrepreneurs to expand their reach, engage with their target audience, and ultimately drive their business forward. Unlike a personal account, which is the go-to choice for individual users to share their daily life, connect with friends, and follow their favorite accounts,
a business profile comes with additional features specifically designed to help businesses build brand awareness and meaningfully engage with customers. If you’re wondering whether taking the extra step of creating a business Instagram account is worth it, just know that it allows you to leverage exclusive tools that can make a difference in your marketing success.
As Mary Robins, a lecturer in communications, language, and studies at Bryant University, explains, businesses that use social media effectively can create strong connections with their audience, turning casual followers into loyal customers.
Is Upgrading to an Instagram Business Account Worth It?
For any business owner thinking about upgrading their account, the decision depends on their goals and options available. An Instagram Business account is free and comes with valuable features, but it’s important to keep in mind that a business account cannot be private, which may be an issue for some users.
While some argue that an Instagram business account reduces visibility, this claim is often refuted as many users experience the opposite, with their audience reach growing instead of dropping. Unlike Facebook business pages, where reach has been significantly affected, Instagram still allows organic engagement, but making the switch requires a clear direction. If your account feels stagnant, you can boost your posts or run strategic ads to grow your channel and attract more customers.
Understanding an Instagram Business Account
An Instagram business account is specially designed to help companies and individuals establish a professional presence on the platform while offering a suite of features to enable deeper connections with their audience in meaningful ways. With the ability to add a contact button on the profile, it allows users to call, email, or text directly, making communication seamless.
Businesses can run targeted ads, expand their reach to new customers, and leverage sponsored content to increase visibility. Plus, they can track performance using analytics tools, create shoppable posts, and make it easy for followers to discover and purchase products directly from their page. This makes an Instagram business account a powerful tool for driving growth and building brand awareness effectively.
Personal Instagram Account
A personal account is ideal if you prefer to keep your profile private and choose who can see your stuff. It lets you share whatever you like, whether it’s everyday moments or carefully curated content that reflects your life. Many Instagrammers use a personal account to post stories about their journey, whether it’s an adoption experience,
overcoming struggle, or dealing with miscarriages, aiming to inspire and provide support to others going through the same thing. Some even share with the intention of helping others while keeping it public. However, if you later convert to a business account, you might find yourself missing certain features or the comfort of sharing only with friends and family.
If you care more about personal connections than analytics, a personal account will work best for you. Boom! Decision made—just make sure to continue reading to explore more!
Instagram Business Account
A business account on Instagram gives you access to analytics that help track your business size, followers, post impressions, likes, and how many times your content was saved. You can even turn a post into an ad to reach more people. If you’ve converted your personal account to a business account,
you may have noticed a drop in organic reach, which is true for many Instagram business accounts because the platform encourages businesses to pay for a wider reach and to target their audience. However, remember that Instagram’s goal is to help businesses create meaningful connections while also making money. With the constantly changing algorithm, trying to beat the system is unlikely,
so focusing on a business account strategy that provides good content is key. This allows followers and prospective followers to engage with your brand. To succeed, you need to spend time curating high-quality stories, writing strong captions, and sharing eye-catching photos. Unlike just slapping a post together, a business account requires intentional planning with the intention to attract like-minded followers and convert them into customers—because every post matters!
How to Set Up an Instagram Business Account (Step by Step)
Follow these steps to create an Instagram business account and unlock professional features:
- Log in to Instagram – Open the Instagram app and log in to your existing personal Instagram account or create a new one.
- Go to Your Profile – Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right-hand corner.
- Open the Menu – Tap the menu icon (☰) in the top right-hand corner of your profile.
- Go to Settings – Select “Settings” from the menu options.
- Switch to a Professional Account – Tap “Account”, then choose “Switch to Professional Account.”
- Select Business – You will see two options: Creator and Business. Select “Business.”
- Choose a Category – Pick a category that best describes your business (e.g., Retail, Health & Beauty, Consulting, etc.).
- Add Contact Details – Enter your business email, phone number, and address so customers can reach you easily.
- Connect a Facebook Page (Optional) – If you have an associated business Facebook page, you can connect it to unlock additional features.
- Review Business Information – Check all the details entered, make any necessary changes, and confirm.
- Adjust Public Display Settings – Go to your profile, tap “Edit Profile,” and choose whether to display or hide your category label and contact info.
Your Instagram Business Account is now set up and ready to grow your brand!
Also Read: Create an Instagram Page
Create a personal account on Instagram:
- Download the Instagram app:
- Go to the App Store on an iPhone or the Google Play Store on an Android device.
- Search for Instagram and download the app.
- Open the app and tap “Create New Account”:
- Open the Instagram app.
- Tap on “Create New Account” to begin the sign-up process.
- Enter your email address or mobile number:
- Provide your email address or mobile number.
- Tap “Next” to proceed.
- Enter the confirmation code:
- Check your email or mobile number for a confirmation code.
- Enter the code in the app and tap “Next”.
- Create a strong password:
- Choose a strong password for your account.
- Tap “Next” to continue.
- Enter your birthday and add your name:
- Provide your birthday and add your full name.
- Create a username:
- Choose a username that represents you.
- Read and accept Instagram’s terms and policies:
- Review Instagram’s terms and policies.
- Tap “Agree” to accept and proceed.
- Add a profile picture:
- Upload or take a profile picture that represents you.
- Tap “Next” to complete the setup.
- Start using Instagram:
- You’re all set! Start exploring and using Instagram.
Instagram Business Account Features: Why They’re Worth It
Switching to an Instagram Business account unlocks a suite of features that make it easier to manage and grow your brand-specific profile. One standout tool is Instagram Insights, a detailed analytics tool that provides data on content performance, audience engagement, and follower growth. You can track metrics like reach, impressions, and website clicks, helping you understand what resonates with your followers.
Another key feature is the ability to display essential contact details like your email, phone number, and physical address directly on your profile. This streamlines interactions with customers, making it easier for them to Book Now, Reserve, or Order Food using customizable action buttons. Adding a description label (e.g., “Digital Marketing Agency” or “Coffee Shop”) under your business name helps potential customers instantly recognize your industry and what you run.
For businesses focused on sales, Shoppable posts are a game-changer. They let you tag products in your posts and Stories, creating a seamless shopping experience where users can purchase without leaving Instagram. To expand your reach, you can use Boosted posts, which turn regular content into paid promotions targeting a broader audience beyond your current followers.
With post scheduling, you can plan and publish posts at optimal times, ensuring consistency without manual intervention. The Meta Business Suite offers a unified platform for managing your Instagram and Facebook presence, providing tools for content creation, scheduling, messaging, and analytics. Additionally, third-party integrations enhance functionality by connecting with various social media management and e-commerce tools.
From my experience, adopting features like Reels and broadcast channels early can give you a competitive edge. As Robins said, the primary goal of any Instagram strategy should be building authentic relationships with your audience, not just pushing products. By leveraging these features, you can show up authentically, connect with your followers, and grow your brand effectively.
Choosing Between a Personal and Business Profile on Instagram
If you’re an individual who wants to use Instagram casually, a personal account is ideal, offering a simple way to connect with friends and family. However, if you’re a creator or looking to sell a product or service, a business or professional account is preferred. With a business profile, you gain access to data insights, better engagement tracking, and tools to grow your audience.
This is why 90% of Instagram users follow at least one commercial account. High-profile creators also opt for business accounts to increase their reach on the platform and post tailored content that appeals to a wider crowd.
Pros and Cons of Using Your Personal Instagram for Business
Using your personal Instagram account to promote your business has its benefits and drawbacks. On the plus side, it’s a quick setup—you can start sharing content right away without creating a new profile. You can use Reels, Stories, and posts to showcase your products or services, and even add Link stickers or Swipe Up features (if available) to drive traffic to your website. Plus, you can tap into your existing followers and conversations to build trust and convert them into customers.
However, there are limitations. Unlike a Creator or Business account, you won’t have access to advanced tools like scheduling, Action Buttons, or analytics to track results. You also miss out on features like Contact Buttons, Gift Card Delivery, or Sound Collection for Reels, which can make your content more engaging. Additionally,
mixing personal and business content can confuse your audience, and you can’t automate or batch your post delivery. From my experience, while starting from scratch with a business account takes more effort, the revenue and discoverability benefits often outweigh the convenience of using a personal account.
Understanding an Instagram Business Profile and How to Use It
A business profile on Instagram is designed for brands, services, and products, offering specialised tools to engage with a wider audience and drive conversions. Unlike a personal account, it includes features like Insights, analytics, and metrics to track reach, impressions, and engagement. You can add contact information such as phone, email, and addresses for direct communication and use Action buttons like Call, Directions, or Book Now to enhance interaction.
The Professional dashboard simplifies managing settings, optimisation, and marketing efforts, while Creator Studio Integration allows post scheduling across social media. With a Verification badge, businesses build credibility and trustworthiness, while Collaborations and Partnerships with influencers help expand their network. Features like shopping,
Showcase, tagged posts, and stories boost e-commerce sales. Promotions, sponsored ads, and targeted campaigns further unlock growth potential. Plus, Direct Messaging is key for handling inquiries, feedback, and support, ensuring strong customer relationships.
Switching Your Instagram Account to a Different Type
If you’ve decided to promote your brand or reach a wider follower base, you can switch your existing account to a business profile or create a new one. Start by logging into Instagram, tapping the Profile icon on the bottom of the screen, and opening the menu. From the drop-down, go to Settings, then select “Account Type” and choose between business or personal, depending on your goals. A business profile unlocks advanced tools for marketing, while a personal account offers more privacy. Once you’ve made the change, your profile will be successfully updated to match your approach to sharing content.
Can You Switch Between Instagram Accounts Too Frequently?
While Instagram allows users to switch between business and personal accounts, doing it too frequently can cause delay in certain features and affect proper functioning. A business account gives access to professional Insights, analytics, and marketing tools to optimize growth, while a personal account provides the full music library for creative posts. However,
switching too often may trigger spam-like behavior, which can flag your account or cause a clamp on certain actions. The best approach is to decide based on your primary purpose—whether to socialise with family and friends or to sell products and services to connect with customers and grow your brand. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of both types helps the holder make the right choice in their opinion.
Also Read:
How To Create A Reel On Instagram
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