There's never been a better time to switch to an Instagram creator account. New features are rolling out so quickly that it's easy to miss them – all designed to maximize your reach and help you efficiently manage your personal brand.
Instagram influencers are in good company. According to recent research, 207 million people worldwide call themselves creators, feeding an industry worth about $250 billion worldwide.
What's more? An Instagram creator profile isn't just for big-name celebrities and politicians. Micro-influencers (those with less than 100,000 followers) carry significant power in the social circles.
Whether you're ready to switch account type or need a little more convincing, let us help explain how to explore the creator tools Instagram offers.
What is an Instagram creator account?
Instagram creator accounts are one of three account types, tucked right in the middle of the personal and business account options.
The best candidates for a creator account are those building or expanding a brand around themselves, which holds as much for public figures as a new niche creator.
A personal account type is for those who just want to share with friends and family, while a business account is for product or service-based sales.
Instagram creator accounts include famous people, local leaders, public figures, and influencers. If you're killing it on your personal account, it might be time to explore the professional tools and money-making options you can only get by leveling up to creator status.
What features are available for Instagram creator accounts?
Both creator and business accounts offer a mix of established and new features, but some are tailored specifically to meet the unique goals and tasks of creators.
One thing worth pointing out before we jump deeper into this topic is that the Instagram Creator Studio has been replaced with Meta Business Suite.
Schedule Instagram posts
Only people with a professional account, such as a creator profile, can schedule content on Instagram. Business account holders can also schedule posts. Personal account types don't have this option.
Get comfortable with the Instagram app because that's where most features are found. Schedule posts through the app by tapping "More options" before you hit the post button, or by tapping the hamburger menu (three lines) on the top right of your profile page and then looking for Scheduled Content.
If you have a creator account, it can also make sense to use third-party publishing tools, like Brandwatch, to get more advanced publishing features.
Profile customization options
Instagram creator accounts include profile page add-ons you won't find on a personal account. At the same time, they're slightly different from those on a business profile page.
Since a creator account is about your personal brand, explore the profile control options first by picking a category. Instagram makes it easy for you to create or switch account types by choosing from a list of options. From there, the app recommends if you are more likely to need a creator or business account.
Creator accounts also have fewer transactional action buttons (like "Order now!") and instead focus on CTAs designed to encourage engagement, such as "Contact Me Now."
Another benefit you can't get on a personal Instagram account is streamlined messaging. The message filters for DMs will save important conversations while weeding out potential spam.
Create shoppable posts
Instagram creator accounts have the option to explore product tags. These handy tabs add descriptions and prices of products seen in Reels, posts, or Stories. By adding product tags, you're creating a shoppable post. Those interested in making a purchase will be taken to a product description page.
The benefit of business accounts is that creators vouch for their products to a trusted audience. In turn, the creator account gets to keep fans on the profile to make a purchase.
Brands approve collaboration product tags through the Commerce Manager. If you are selling products, you'll need to connect to a business Facebook page and set up an Instagram shop. While that is mostly reserved for business accounts, there are some instances where a creator might need a shop.
It's also worth noting that simply being approved to tag a product doesn't guarantee you'll get a cut. Keep reading to learn more about monetization.
Advanced insights and analytics
One of the biggest benefits of upgrading from a personal to a creator account is the access to Instagram Insights. This free analytics tool gives you information about the performance of your account.
As mentioned above, a creator account is all about building a dedicated following. With Insights, you'll get detailed analytics into your follower growth, net follower changes, and specific data about each Instagram post.
Check your insights through the app (hamburger menu, then go to Insights) or Meta Business Suite. Another reason to use the app is the "Best Practices" feature for creators. The simple, easy-to-digest professional dashboard shows you where you're killing it and where you have room to improve in the categories that matter more.
Categories include:
- Guidelines: Instagram is strict about its community guidelines and has particular standards for creators. Leave the guesswork behind by reviewing how compliant you are with the rules.
- Reach: Do you ever wonder why your great content falls flat, or why particular Instagram posts get many likes but not others? The Reach tools can help you figure out what's missing from your strategy.
- Engagement: Reaching fans doesn't necessarily matter if there isn't activity between you and them. For example, the Best Practices tool might tell you to "focus on deeper engagement."
- Creation: Explains if you're posting the right content at the right time, or if you should post more or less.
- Monetization: Whether you're a beginner or just haven't seen the newest tools for Instagram creator accounts, this screen explains the latest and proven ways to make money from your content.
Monetization options
Yes, you can make money on Instagram, but it requires patience and hustle.
First, review the Instagram Content Monetization Policies. This page details the big "no-nos" for creators, like creating engagement bait or stealing someone else's content and passing it off as your own.
Then, you want to see if you're eligible for monetization tools. Check that by going to your creator profile, then hamburger menu > business tools and controls > monetization status.
Once you're approved to make money, head to the professional dashboard and add monetization tools. Those include gifts, badges, subscriptions, and bonuses.
Then, you need a payout account. This is a good time to point out that you won't be able to get paid if you use a name (not handle) on your Instagram account that is different from your real name.
While Instagram creator accounts get select business tools to generate income, it's important to check the latest offerings. It seems there's always something new on the way, such as the affiliate program being tested in certain countries as of this publication. Check out the Creator Marketplace, too, which allows brands to find influencers for partnerships.
Other money-making options include:
- Creating subscriber-only content. This means your top fans can pay for unique access to additional content behind the paywall. You set the subscription price anywhere from $1 - $100 a month. IG will take 30% off the top of your profits.
- Badges: While the technical name is badges, think of these more like tips. During a creator account livestream, viewers can buy badges to support you. Meanwhile, they'll get an icon next to their name and other benefits. You can earn up to $250 per viewer.
- Branded content: Branded content means a creator is working with a brand through sponsored posts. The brand generally pays a flat fee for the creator's efforts. You'll work out the details of the agreement with the brand.
- Affiliate marketing: Affiliate marketing is similar to branded content, but the difference is that you only make money based on sales of the products you're promoting. Working with multiple brands means more potential income, but you'll need to be a good salesperson.
- Ads: If your Reels are popular, consider turning on ads. Just as brands want to get a spot in the Super Bowl commercial breaks, you can permit your Reels to have ads play between your segments.
It's worth noting that switching to a creator account on Instagram doesn't mean immediate monetization options. Most money-making tools require at least 10,000 followers and authentic, consistent content.
Also, don't try to circumvent the monetization rules of Instagram. Avoiding required elements like paid partnership tags can get your Instagram profile penalized or banned.
Instagram creator account vs business account
The lines between a creator and a business account can get a little blurry, especially if you're a creator looking to expand your footprint.
You can easily switch between a business account type and a creator account, but before you click creator account, let's look at the key differences and benefits of each one.
Target audience
An Instagram creator is focused on building authority and trust with an audience. Essentially, the person is the brand. Everything about an Instagram creator profile focuses on a specific niche, topic, or lifestyle amenity. While creators might cater to specific demographics, the audience insights will also show the details of the crowd engaged with content.
A business account has products that define the brand, and the people who manage the account are typically behind the scenes, such as marketing or customer service. While businesses can view insights, they also have advanced analytics that detail the performance of specific products.
The insights of a creator account will help build engagement and following, while the business account insights help with broader product reach.
Contact options
Another key difference between creator and business accounts is the contact choices for followers.
As a creator, you control your online presence a lot more. You can give an email or phone number, but you might also choose to hide certain contact information. Business accounts have the option of sharing a physical address in addition to other methods of contact.
While both creator and business profiles have action buttons, the options are different. For example, a business might need a "Book Reservation Button," whereas a creator might need a "Contact Form."
Monetization tools
Creator tools focus monetization on personal influence while enjoying the opportunity to collaborate with numerous brands that fit their niche. They are more likely to explore profitable partnerships and affiliate marketing.
A business profile drives sales for itself, trying to get people to buy its products or services. This account type has a robust set of options through Instagram shopping, in addition to direct promotions and ads.
The two also complement each other, as creators often work with businesses to promote products or services. This helps expand the business reach beyond the traditional advertising methods and lets a creator share details with their trusted following. In turn, the creator can get a flat fee or a slice of the sales for a promoted product.
Analytics dashboard
Much like audience data, advanced analytics is split into different ways for a business vs creator account.
A business account has insights measuring the sales, ROI, and ad performance. A creator account will see analytics focused on personal engagement and growing an audience.
If you're considering switching between a creator and a business account (or vice versa), you should know that your analytics will be preserved. You'll get different displays based on the account type.
However, if you switch from a professional to a personal profile, you will lose all analytical data. Be sure to export your analytics for any switch, just in case.
Messaging features
New creators might not realize how many messages and notifications come with the territory, and that's why Instagram creator accounts come with a robust list of sorting options.
The secondary inbox for creators splits three ways. Primary is for the most important messages, general includes important but not urgent DMs, while the requests secondary inbox houses messages from people you don't follow.
Keep an eye out for new developments about creator DMs. Instagram head Adam Mosseri said in November 2024, "There's a lot more to do to improve the inbox for creators, but hopefully this is a step in the right direction," when he announced new filtering features. Streamlined messaging now includes seeing Story notifications instead of inbox messages and filtering by contact type.
If you hope to use third-party tools, please know that creator accounts face strict Instagram API restrictions that don't impact business accounts as much.
How to switch to an Instagram creator account
When you're ready to switch to a professional Instagram account and become an Instagram creator, it just takes a few simple steps to get started creating content as an influencer.
From your app, go to your Instagram profile and tap the three lines (hamburger menu) in the top-right corner. That brings up your setting, where you'll select "switch to professional account."
A series of questions follow, including a list of category labels. At the end, you'll select creator for your new Instagram profile.
How to turn off a creator account on Instagram
You have two choices when it comes to turning off Instagram creator accounts. Either turn it into an Instagram business page or transition it to a personal profile.
The process to turn off a creator profile is pretty straightforward. Go to the hamburger menu and scroll down to "creator tools and controls." Toward the bottom, you'll select "switch account type."
Once you make the change, your Instagram account will be changed to either a business or personal one.
Switch from a personal account to become a creator today
The bells and whistles offered to Instagram creators can be a lot to take in. However, your priority should be building an organic following and creating content that resonates.
Since most of the monetization options require a certain number of followers, a history of regular posting, and ongoing compliance with community standards, use this time to hone your skills. Work on posting consistently, exploring the music library, and finding a cadence of posting that works for your schedule.
FAQs
How does Instagram help creators manage their content?
One could argue that Instagram caters to creators, even those just starting. Tools like Best Practices and the Creator Marketplace make the process easy for those willing to put in the time. Plus, Instagram shares the success stories of other content creators. Instagram embraces collaboration between its users and doesn't see it as a competition.
How do I connect other social media profiles to my creator account?
Instagram offers select compatibility with other Meta platforms, including Threads and Facebook. You'll be prompted to connect with those during the signup process. To add other platforms, like YouTube, TikTok, or X, add them as links in your profile or create a "links in bio" section through programs like Linktree.
How can I protect my content as a creator?
Instagram and Meta have made great strides in not only protecting those who see your original content but also offering tools to help you protect potentially viral content.
First, the Rights Manager came out in 2023. Those approved for a Rights Manager account will get specific guidance to protect their copyrights to intellectual and artistic property.
Second, Instagram announced in April 2024 a new ranking system for creator accounts on Instagram. The new policy rewards original content, placing it higher in results while lessening the spread of reposted content while still tagging back to the original creator.
You can also file a copyright claim for original work, watermark videos and images, and report violations to Meta immediately.
Can I use a creator account for brand promotions and sponsorships?
Yes, brand promotions, product tags, and sponsorships are three of the top reasons to switch to a creator account from a personal one. Most money-making steps require certain proven performance before you can enroll, such as having a certain number of followers or at least 90 days of consistently posting.
