Everything you need to know about Instagram Creator Accounts

Are you wondering how Instagram creator accounts are different from other profiles? Or is an Instagram creator profile right for you?

You are not alone.

The rise of Instagram in 2021 has seen its popularity skyrocket among creators. These impressive statistics don’t lie!

In fact, “50 million independent content creators, curators, and community creators, including social media influencers, bloggers, and videographers “make up the creator economy. Instagram created creator accounts with people like these 50 million in mind.

By the end of this article, you will understand what Instagram creator profiles are and whether they are right for you. As a bonus, we’ve also added how to sign up if you decide this is your vibe.

What is an Instagram creator account?

An Instagram creator account is a type of Instagram account created specifically for content creators. This is very similar to an Instagram business account, but designed for individual creators, not businesses.

Creator accounts are for:

• influencers,
• public figures,
• content producers,
• artists, or
• people who want to monetize their personal brand.

When you upgrade to an Instagram Creator account, you get access to features that allow you to:

• better control of your online presence,
• understand your growth rates and
• easy to manage messages.

Instagram introduced creator accounts in 2018 to encourage influencers on the platform.

(Looking for another Instagram feature for creators, Creator Studio? Creator Studio is more like a desktop toolbar for your creator account – visit our blog for more info)

What special features do Instagram creator accounts have?

Follower Growth Details

Understanding the growth and activity of your followers is a priority for influencers and creators. Creator accounts give you access to a dashboard with in-depth analytics. Here you can access data about your followers and how they interact with your account.

For example, influencers and creators can now correlate new content with changes in the follower network. This will help you see what’s resonating so you can keep creating the type of posts you want and grow your following.

Please note that you can only access the Instagram Insights dashboard on a mobile device . If you are looking for information about your desktop, you will have to head to Creator Studio .

Optimized messaging

Creator accounts mean access to DM filtering options! That’s right – say goodbye to the swamp of personal messages in the mailbox.

Creators can filter by three new tabs:

• Primary (comes with notifications),
• General (no notice) and
• Requests (messages from people you don’t follow, no notifications).

These filters allow you to separate friends from fans (and trolls from everyone). You can also flag important conversations so you never forget to reply.

Looking for time-saving messaging-related tools? Creators can create saved responses so you can personalize keyboard shortcuts for standard messaging. It’s a life saver when you keep answering the same questions via DM.

Here’s how to make your own:

• Click the hamburger icon (upper right corner) on your profile page.
• Click Settings , scroll down to Creator , and navigate to Saved Responses.
• Create custom keyboard shortcuts.
• Save your labels and start saving time in your private messages.

Planning Options

Unfortunately, author account users cannot connect to any third-party scheduling applications. If you have one of these accounts, you will have to schedule your feed and IGTV posts using the Creator Studio control panel.

On the Creator Studio toolbar, click the green Create Post button in the top left corner. Then upload your content, write a caption and any other information you want to include. Then click the drop-down arrow next to Publish in the bottom right corner.

Click” Schedule “, select a date and time, and voila! Ready.

Profile management and flexibility

You decide what people see in your creator account. You can show or hide your contact information, call to action, and author tag.

And you can choose your preferred contact in your profile (including call, text and email). Thus, you can specify a specific business contact and keep your personal life private.

Buyable Posts

If you’re selling products or making recommendations, a creator account allows you to create buyable posts and tag products. When someone clicks on your tag, they are taken to a product description page where they can get more information or make a purchase.

This feature is great for influencers who work with or recommend multiple brands. If this sounds like you, the creator account might be correct.

Note . You need the brand you represent to give you approved access to their products in order to be able to tag them.

Try these 31 little-known Instagram features and hacks (for any account type).

Instagram creator profile vs business profile

Still not sure if you need an Instagram creator profile or a business profile? Here are five notable differences between the two accounts.

Labels

Notably, creator accounts have more specific options to say what you do or who you are. These label variations tend to be associated with a person – a writer, a chef, an artist, etc.

On the other hand, business accounts offer professional industry labels for your account, such as an advertising agency, a sports team, or a business center. They are great for company accounts or those who speak on behalf of a larger group, not just themselves.

In short:

• Business accounts = great for corporations, organizations and companies
• Author accounts = great for individuals

For creators, fleshing out your category can allow you to find a niche and find your community. For business accounts, understanding your industry category shows your audience what you can do for them.

But wait! A business profile may make more sense even if you are an individual creator. Keep reading to see more differences.

Contact

Both the business account and the author account allow you to share your email address and phone number . This makes it easier to contact interested employees or customers.

However, only business accounts can add a location . This can be useful for organizations with a head office, cafe, or any other official office.

You can hide your contact information on any account if you prefer to DM.

Calls to Action (CTA)

Instagram CTAs are found under your bio on your profile. If you’ve included contact information on your account, your CTA will be next to it.

Business accounts use Order Food , Book Now , or Book Now buttons .

On the other hand, a creator account can only use Book or Reserve calls to action .

If you’re in the food and beverage business, a business account might be right for you.

Shopping Options

Business and creator Instagram accounts have one major difference between e-commerce: shopping options.

As we mentioned above, you can tag products available for purchase from brands that have approved access. However, business accounts can add the store to their profile, tag available products in posts and stories, and access store information.

A business account might be right for you if you’re primarily trying to sell products on Instagram. And, good news for you, Instagram Shopping is one of the 12 Instagram Trends for 2022 that our experts have predicted.

Access to third party applications

Third party apps like our favorite Hootsuite can help you:

• post schedule,
• Stay organized with your community management and participation,
• and provide you with deep analytics.

Unfortunately, the Instagram API does not allow third-party app integration for creator accounts. But if you’re using a business account, you can.

If you manage multiple accounts, a business account might be right for you.

How to switch to an Instagram creator account

Step 1: Go to Settings

Go to your profile and click on the hamburger menu in the top right corner.

Then click “Settings “at the top of the list. Then select Account .

If you have a personal account, select Switch to a professional account .

If you have a business account, select Switch to Creator account .

Note. Instagram may also prompt you to switch to a professional account on your profile page. This does the same as above.

Step 2. Create your account

Choose the label that best describes who you are or what you do from the list provided. You can then decide if you want this to appear on your profile.

At this point, Instagram may ask if you are a creator or a business. Click “Creator “, then “Next”. You will be prompted to set up a professional account.

Here you can choose one of the following steps to help you familiarize yourself with your creator profile:

• Get inspired
• Expand your audience
• Share content to view statistics
• Explore professional tools
• Fill out your profile

You will be asked if you want to share logins using the Account Center. If you skip this step by clicking Not Now, you can always set it up later.

You will be taken to the “Setting up your professional account”page. Here you can view your new features and tools.

Step 3: Check out the new features and tools

If you have reached the Set Up Your Professional Account page , you can still access it by clicking on the “# of 5 STEPS COMPLETED”line at the top of your profile.

A bar graph icon will appear in the upper right corner of your profile page. Click here to access the Professional Dashboard .

The Professional Dashboard is where you can find your account information , access your tools, and find tips and resources.

Go here to learn more about Instagram analytics .

Return to your profile page. From here, tap the hamburger menu in the top right corner. Click Settings then go to Creator . On this tab, you can manage additional features such as:

• Advertising payments
• Branded content
• Branded content advertising
• Saved responses
• FAQ
• Connect or create
• Minimum age
• Monetization status
• Set up shopping on Instagram

How to disable a creator account on Instagram

Decided that the life of the creator is not for you? Getting back to your personal Instagram account is easy. But you will lose the insights you have collected so far. And, if you decide to switch back to the author account, you will need to re-register.

Just go back to settings (in your profile’s hamburger menu). Go to account . Scroll down to Switch Account Type at the bottom and click Switch to Personal Account .

Note. Here you can also switch to a business account .

Can you have a personal author account on Instagram?

You cannot have a private Instagram creator or business account. You will first need to switch back to your personal account in order to switch to private mode.

I’m sorry! We don’t make rules.