10 Unique Ways to Use Instagram Guidelines for Marketing

Instagram guides are one of the latest features introduced in the app. It may have escaped your notice thanks to Instagram Live, shops, reels, a redesigned home screen, and a host of other features introduced in 2020.

Luckily, Instagram guides are there to pay attention to things. In fact, if you want to stay up to date with Instagram marketing tips and updates, Hootsuite already has a guide for that.

If you’re only here to learn about the Guides, we have a guide for that as well – just in blog format. Learn how to create Instagram guides, how you can use them for your business, and more.

What are Instagram guides?

Instagram guides are a cross between Instagram carousels and blog posts. They can be created using pre-published posts, places, or product listings from the creator’s account or public accounts. Each guide includes a cover, title, introduction, and additional descriptions for entries.

Source: Instagram

The original source of inspiration for guides was travel. But due to the worldwide travel ban, Instagram decided to launch the feature in May 2020 on the topic of health. In November, Instagram expanded the feature to all users and topics.

Once created, Guides appear in a dedicated tab on a person’s or brand’s profile and can be shared in stories or private messages. Entries can be edited, added or removed at the request of the account owner.

How to use guides on Instagram

New to creating Instagram guides? Follow these steps to create guides with messages, products, or places.

How to Create an Instagram Guide with Posts

1. On your profile, click the plus icon in the top right corner.

2. Select Guide.

3. Click Messages.

4. Select a message from your feed or a saved message posted by other public accounts.

5. Click Next.

6. Add a title and description for the guide. If you want to use a different cover, click Change Cover.

7. Double check the pre-filled place name and edit it if necessary. Add a description if you like.

8. Click “Add Location”and repeat steps 4-8 until your guide is complete.

9. Click Next in the upper right corner.

10. Click Share.

How to create an Instagram guide with products

1. On your profile, click the plus icon in the top right corner.

2. Select Guide.

3. Click Products.

4. Find the list of products you want to enable by account. If you have saved the product to your wishlist, you can also find it there.

5. Select the product you want to add and click Next. You can enable multiple posts for a single entry, if available. They will be displayed as a carousel.

6. Add a title and description for the guide. If you want to use a different cover, click Change Cover.

7. Double check the pre-filled place name and edit it if necessary. Add a description if you like.

8. Click “Add Products”and repeat steps 4-8 until your guide is complete.

9. Click Next in the upper right corner.

10. Click Share.

How to Create an Instagram Places Guide

1. On your profile, click the plus icon in the top right corner.

2. Select Guide.

3. Tap Places.

4. Find a location by geotag, in a saved folder, or use one of the pre-published posts. If you’re searching by geotag, select the message you’d like to include.

5. Once you’ve selected a publication, click Next.

6. Add a title and description for the guide. If you want to use a different cover, click Change Cover.

7. Double check the pre-filled place name and edit it if necessary. Add a description if you like.

8. Click “Add Location”and repeat steps 4-8 until your guide is complete.

9. Click Next in the upper right corner.

10. Click Share.

Tip: If you want to include specific images in your Places Guide, first create a folder for them. These posts must be geotagged for this to work.

10 Ways to Use Instagram Guides for Your Business

Not sure where to start with Instagram guides? Let these examples inspire you.

Create a gift guide

Instagram Guides is an easy way to turn your grocery lists into gift guides for Christmas, Mother’s Day, and other holidays.

Afrocenchix has created a Christmas shopping guide with their catalog, and The Lip Bar has a guide dedicated to simple and affordable gifts for beginners.

Looking for gifts for botany lovers? The Vintner’s Daughter will have your back.

Make a list of tips

Hootsuite’s “7 Instagram Tips for 2021″guide is based on an article posted on the company’s blog (read it here).

Each tip contains a separate brand post providing a specific example for inspiration. Check out more Instagram business marketing reviews.

Collect related posts

Most businesses on Instagram offer multiple products and services. Reorganize your feed with an Instagram guide that groups related posts together.

For example, Hot For Food posts vegan snacks, entrees, desserts, and more. But those who are purely looking for dessert ideas can find them with this guide: Just Dessert Stuff.

The Red Bull Training Days Guide brings together a Day in the Life series.

Create a ranked list

Showcase your bestsellers, most popular posts or best recipes.

If you’re running a contest that asks contestants to vote for their favorites, post the results in an Instagram guide format.

Arrange a national sports league draft? Probably not, but this 2020 NBA draft guide is completely clean.

Share a brand story or message

Create an Instagram guide that introduces new followers to your company and its values.

French jewelry designer Louise Damas ‘ guidebook details the company’s history with posts about its founder, process, unique pieces and women-centric approach.

The guides can also be used to break down new initiatives, highlight social responsibility efforts, or celebrate milestones.

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri’s guide says “thank you”for the app’s birthday. Here’s a guide to how the Lakers made it to the NBA Finals. The Arizona State University Travel Guide celebrates ASU 2020 Alumni Achievements.

Give step by step instructions

Launch a series of tips or share how-to’s on Instagram? Collect the posts into a simple step by step guide.

For example, Headspace has compiled its Money Smart Monday posts into a four-step guide on “how to manage your finances. “

Want to learn how to make your Instagram Shop shine? Instagram has instructions for this.

Complex topics can also be covered here. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Handbook shows people how to have a real discussion about mental health.

Greet others in your community

Create a guide that illuminates your community members, shares love, or builds your network.

While Afrocencnix has a guide for its own products, it has also created a guide that talks about various black British companies.

Yo Soy AfroLatina has a guide to your favorite small businesses.

The Secret Mountain uses the location guide to promote independent book sellers who sell her books.

Collaborate with the Creator

Guidelines open up a new way for brands to collaborate with influencers, creators and celebrities.

Everlane hired actor Tommy Dorfman, actress Olivia Swee, and model and actress Lenya Bloom to prepare gift guides with their products.

Companies can create guides that feature all of their brands, partner with influencers to create guides for their accounts, and more.

Share your guide

It’s no surprise that the travel industry has taken to Instagram travel guides.

The Tourism Australia Instagram account offers guides to Gippsland, the Blue Mountains and Kangaroo Island, among others.

The Tourisme Quebec guide covers Montreal’s Chinatown in French and English. Brands may want to think outside the box here too. Share a tour of the campus or a map of all company offices.

Promote causes and provide resources

For companies that advocate and engage in social activism, the Instagram Guidelines provide a place to consolidate efforts and share resources.

The Instagram Act for Racial Justice guide gathers important clarifications shared by the community.

The Teen Vogue guide covers sex, dating and relationships.

The best thing about Guides? They don’t necessarily require you to create brand new content. The easiest way to get started is to review what you’ve already posted on Instagram and start grouping your content into categories that you think will be helpful to your followers.

So what’s stopping you? It’s time to try making your first Instagram guide!