What Are Different Types of Instagram Accounts?

Instagram offers three different account types: a personal account, a creator account, and a business account. While the names are rather self-explanatory, each type has its features, benefits, and limitations.

Choosing the right account type is crucial for determining your success strategy on Instagram. For instance, if you are using it for business or marketing purposes, then a personal account isn’t a win-win option for you. At least it doesn’t provide Instagram Analytics or API access.

Let’s dive deeper into the topic and find out what the different features of each account are, their pros and cons, and who needs which type.

Personal Instagram Account

Personal Accounts are the regular accounts that everyone gets by default. If you use Instagram at the most basic level to keep in touch with your followers and are not interested in any Insta-strategies, then it’s a perfect option.

One of the biggest advantages of a personal Instagram account is that you can set it to private whenever you want. As for a business or creator account, there are no such opportunities. It’s a great option to avoid harassment online or make sure random people won’t be able to see your photos.

On the upside, you also have more music options while making story videos and reels. The best thing is that you are able to switch to either a creator or business account. We’ll later tell you how.

Pros

• Allows the user to go private or public
• Ability to add one link to the bio
• Has all of the basic features, such as creating Instagram Stories, posting on Feed, IGTV, or going live
• Ability to make up a select list of people, known as the ‘Close Friends’ feature
• Connecting with multiple Facebook Pages

Cons

• Limited features
• No insights or analytics
• No ability to monetize your posts
• No contact details

Who Needs This Type of Instagram Account?

A personal account is an ideal option for those who are not interested in any Ista strategies, monetization, selling a product/service, or growing their account. If you are a common user who just wants to share content, connect with followers and have fun, then switch to a personal Instagram account.

Business Instagram Account

Instagram business accounts are one of two types of professional accounts. Business accounts are best designed for various brands, retailers, organizations, or local businesses, offering numerous business-specific features to boost any product.

No matter whether you are a big or small business owner, with the ability to switch to an Instagram business account for free, you can take advantage of all the helpful features.

The choice is obvious if you want your page to look professional, trustworthy, and verified. A business profile helps users grow their Instagram presence as well as their business.

Pros

• Has all the basic features of a personal account, such as creating Instagram Stories, posting on Feed, IGTV, or going live
• Ability to select a category for your business
• A “Contact” button and business category
• Access to business-specific insights and account analytics which are essential for planning your Instagram marketing strategies and growing your account
• Ability to schedule ads and promote posts
• Access to the Branded Content tool
• Ability to sort your message inbox by setting up quick replies and direct message filters
• A Swipe-Up feature, available for accounts with 10,000+ followers for driving traffic to an external link
• Paid advertising option
• Quick Replies feature
• Ability to add Call-to-Action Buttons (Book/Reserve/Donate/Order Food/Get Tickets/Gift Cards), enabling customers to interact with your business without leaving the app
• Account Verification
• A minimum age feature
• Access to Instagram Shopping enabling you to tag products in your posts
• Access to auto-posting options
• Access to Creator Studio on desktop

Cons

• Doesn’t allow the user to go private
• Needs to be linked to a Facebook Page
• Only one Facebook Page can be connected to your business account

Who Needs This Type of Instagram Account?

An Instagram business account is an ideal option for those who strive to grow and connect with their customers by offering various products or services.

With the number of useful business features, you have plenty of opportunities to expand your business. For instance, access to business-specific insights makes it easy to identify what content is best engaging your audience and what resonates with them.

However, keep in mind that when switching an account back to personal, you will lose access to your insights as well as the content from your promotions.

Creator Instagram Account

The second professional Instagram account type, the creator account, is a match for all public figures, influencers, or artists.

Unlike business accounts, creator accounts are more flexible, offering more control over your profiles so that to be tailored to your needs.

One more significant distinctive feature of a creator account is that it enables you to hide your Instagram business categories along with your contact info.

Pros

• Flexible profile display, giving your account a look and feel of a personal profile
• Has all the basic features of a personal account, such as creating Instagram Stories, posting on Feed, IGTV, or going live
• Access to creator-specific insights and account analytics
• Ability to manage and create promotions
• Ability to schedule ads
• A Swipe-Up feature available for accounts with 10,000+ followers
• Ability to schedule posts within the Creator Studio desktop app
• Access to the Branded Content tool, enabling you to display paid partnerships properly
• Account Verification
• A minimum age feature
• Ability to limit direct messages
• Access to Creator Studio on desktop
• Quick replies and direct message filters

Cons

• Doesn’t allow the user to go private
• Only one Facebook Page can be connected to your creator account

Who Needs This Type of Instagram Account?

An Instagram creator account is an ideal choice for all creative freelancers, influencers, or artists, enabling them to grow their accounts and increase their Instagram presence.

Striving for monetization or working with various brands? Then go for the creator Instagram type, allowing you to create and manage branded content and influencer-brand partnerships.

How to Switch Account Types?

Whether you want to convert your personal Instagram profile to a business account, or vice versa, switching account types is a real no-brainer.

First, go to your profile and tap in the upper right corner. Then head on to “Settings” and tap “Account.” Now scroll down to the bottom of the screen, find the option “Switch account type,” and tap on it.

Read the above information one more time and decide which account type is best tailored to your needs. Good luck!

The Bottom Line

All in all, there are three types of Instagram accounts: personal account, business account, and creator account. Each type has its own features, benefits, and limitations. If you want to choose the best type, dive deep into the topic and write down your needs.

If you are a basic Insta-user who fancy posting pictures, stories, and reels and is not interested in any Insta-strategies, then a personal account is for you. Its biggest advantage is the ability to go private anytime you want.

If you are a small or big business owner who needs specific features to boost your product, choose a business account.

If you are in the ranks of influencers, creative artists, or public figures striving for flexibility and more control over your profile, then the creator Instagram account is your best choice.