The mysterious animal that is Instagram has evolved again! What is an Instagram Creator Account? How do I get the instagram creator account option? Should I switch the a creator account? Instagram does not come with an instruction manual. I’ve been a content creator battling the instagram algorithm for years now, I will do my best to give you the most helpful answers in this article.
What is an Instagram Creator Account?
Let’s start simple, what is this new option for an instagram creator account? In the Instagram app, you can have a personal profile, private profile, business account and now a creator account option.
Personal and private instagram account are for people who are just on instagram to post photos of their life and see what their friends are posting. There is no business or brand behind these accounts.
A business instagram account is for a business or brand. This can be a blogger, writer, podcaster or it can be a giant brand like Cheerios or Walt Disney World. These accounts will come with tracked insights for the user about who is coming to their page, how often, what the audience is responding to, and how many times Instagram has shown their content.
The new option of Instagram Creator Account is a brand new option that Instagram claims is ‘only a test’! Instagram says that the “Creator Account” is for public figures, content producers, artists and influencers.
This account will be similar to the business account but it will be for blogger, artists, authors, chefs, actors, designers, etc. It is for someone who is not a ‘mega brand’ but it a content creator. Do you fall into this catagory?
Features of the Instagram Creator Account
What’s the difference between a business instagram account and a creator account? The features vary slightly. I took ‘after’ pictures of my own personal account to show you some differences.
This option appears after you switch to creator account. You can manage your promotion payments and your branded content here!
Flexible Profile Controls
You can choose to display or hide your category and contact buttons. You can also manage your DMs so that you can connect with your ‘fans’ a whole lot easier.
Simplified Messaging
The insights or reports on your account is a huge feature change. Your creator account insights will be different from your business account insights.The insights are more advanced because of a new “growth” chart that explains who is following and unfollowing you.
This proves to us that “Impressions” matter more than “Engagement” numbers. Impressions are how many people the Instagram Algorithm is showing your post to. The higher the impressions, the more ‘worthy’ the post is. You can dissect this info and it can help you post the most engaging content possible!
More Growth Tools
Instagram also claims that when you have a creator account and you do ‘promotions’ – you will reach more people. This means your paid or ‘boosted’ posts will reach a more specific audience with a better reach than before!
Benefits of the Instagram Creator Account
There are tons on benefits to the features I just mentioned. I appreciate the ability to choose my category as a “blogger”. The benefits of studying my insights means that I see what Instagram likes for me to post and I can also see what my audience is responding to. I can also see WHO my audience is and how this affects who I block or unfollow.
The ability to sort my instagram inbox is huge for me. I’m a psycho when it comes to organizing. I love the option to sort my inbox by “top requests’ and ‘standard requests’ especially if I constantly get messages by people I don’t follow. The new DM box is really helpful in that it sorts the message requests from people that message me often and people I do not know (like spam accounts)!
How do I get an Instagram Creator Account Option?
This question is a difficult one. Because Instagram is a little bit sneaky about this. Not everyone has the option to switch from a personal or business account to a Creator Instagram Account. Once you are “picked by instagram”, you will have the option.
Now how do you get picked? I have seen Creators with numbers as low as 5000 get the option. It’s really about your page and engagement. If you have true followers engaging with your account often and Instagram identifies you as a “creator” then they will hand you the option and it will be your choice to switch!
Side Note: If you want some more info on that pesky Instagram Algorithm, read my article “The Instagram Algorithm | How to Grow on Instagram.”
Should You Switch to Instagram Creator Account?
Are you a creator? Are you a blogger, artist, author, chef, actor, designer, etc? If you are a creative person and use your Instagram page to promote your art – then YES! If you use Instagram as a way to watch your friends and post only personal content, I would say No. But if you are this type of Instagramer, you probably won’t be one of the ‘chosen ones’ to have the creator account option.
How do I switch my Instagram Account to Creator Account
Switching to a creator account is a simple process that takes less than 60 seconds. Open the Instagram App, Go to your profile page, click the 3 lines on the top right. Click the ‘settings’ option on the bottom right, tap the “Account” option. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will see (in blue letters) “Switch to Creator Account”. You will also see options “Switch to Personal Account” or “Switch to Business Account” depending on your current instagram account.
Here is the process of switching to an Instagram Creator Account, step by step.
- Click the option “Switch to Creator Account” in your Account Settings.
- The next screen is an explanation about the Creator Account option. Click ‘Next’.
- The next screen is where you select which category for your brand. I chose ‘blogger’ and I chose to display my category. Select your category so instagram knows how to approach your account. Click ‘Next’.
- Display your ‘catagory’ if you choose to be publicly categorized on your profile page. You can also choose to display your contact details or not! Click ‘Done’.
- That’s the last step! You can start navigating your new tools and now Instagram knows you are a creator!
In summary, if you have the option to switch to an Instagram Creator Account – go for it! Instagram wants more people using their App. Instagram wants to keep an audience scrolling, they want more creators or people creating creative engaging content.
I believe this is why Instagram is testing out this account option. They are identifying people who keep followers on the Instagram App and want to ‘reward’ these accounts. These people are the bread and butter of Instagram, and Instagram is finally recognizing that. Thanks Instagram!
Don’t leave without following me on Instagram at Meg.For.It
Mmmm, yet another social media option to consider. Great explanation, and thank you!
You’re welcome! I really think this is a good move on the part of Instagram.
Wow. I will have to look into this. News to me I must admit. Thanks for sharing and explaining in such a simple way
This is completely new to me. Thanks for sharing.
I do not have that option yet, but will be on the look out because it sounds like a great option. Thanks for explaining it.
This was one of the most helpful articles I’ve read recently! I didn’t know much about the instagram creator account and wasn’t sure how to get my instagram to state that my account was a personal blog. Made the changes and now I am getting insights on all my posts. Thank you so much!
Very informative. Social media is really good
when used right. I did find my success on Instagram 🙂 Growing on instagram is very hard, especially when I was
just starting. That’s why services like gramgenius.com really helped me get the
boost I needed.
Thank you tons for this Meg! I had heard a little bit about this through the grapevine but it’s so nice to be informed. I’m very excited about it! I appreciate that you took the time to share your experiences with us :).