Everything You Need to Know About Instagram: Features and Account Types

“Unlocking Instagram: Key Features, benefits & Different Account Types”

Instagram is a popular free photo & video sharing social media platform for individuals, influencers & businesses. It was created in 2010 and now owned by Meta Platforms. Instagram is used for various purposes, including personal expression, interaction, connection, entertainment, and marketing. Each Instagram account types comes with unique features tailored to specific needs. 

What is Instagram?

Photo and Video Sharing:

Instagram allows users to upload & share media with their followers, that can be edited with filters to enhance photos and videos.

Social Networking: 

It facilitates interaction & connection among users. They can interact & connect through direct messaging, following, liking & commenting.

Content Discovery: 

Users can explore content from various users, creators and brands based on their interests, locations & hashtags. 

Owned by Meta: 

Instagram was created in 2010 and now owned by Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook. 

Usage and Audience:

Instagram boasts over 2 billion monthly active users (MAUs) worldwide.

Key Features of Instagram:

Content Sharing & Creation:

Posts: Users can upload and share photos & videos with followers, manage tags, add locations and edit post with filters. 

Reels: Users can create & share short videos with music, filters, effects, & voiceovers. 

Stories: A feature that allows users to post photos & videos in slideshow format that automatically disappear after 24 hours, unless saved as highlights. 

Carousels: Users can share multiple photos and videos in a single post.

Live: Instagram users can stream video to connect with their followers in real-time. 

Notes: Users can share 60-character short text messages that appear in followers inboxes.

Guides: Users can curate & share content around specific topics on Instagram.

Engagement & Community:

Direct Messages (DMs): Users can interact & connect through direct messaging, Send private messages, videos and photos to friends, family & audience.

Broadcast Channels: Users can Create channels to share exclusive updates & content to followers who have opted in. 

Tagging: Users can tag other instagram users in their posts, Stories & reels.

Geotagging:Users can tag locations on their posts, Stories & reels.

Comments: Insta users can engage with followers by responding to comments on their posts & reels.

Interactive Stickers: Use polls, quizzes, & other interactive stickers in Stories and Reels to connect with your followers.

AI Stickers: Users can now create custom stickers using artificial intelligence.

Other important Features:

Instagram Creator Mode: A feature for content creators & influencers to manage their content and engage with their audience.

Instagram Creator Studio:A desktop tool accessed through a web browser for managing & analyzing Instagram and Facebook content, see audience engagement, scheduling posts and access to insights.

Instagram Professional Dashboard: A tool for businesses and creators to track performance, access professional tools and insights.

Filters: Users can use built-in filters to edit photos & videos. 

Search: Users can search for users, celebrity, influencer, hashtags, music, creators and locations.

Explore: Users can discover content and creators aligned with their interests.

Shop: Businesses can set up shops tab to sell their products directly on instagram.

Instagram Shopping: Users can shop products directly from Instagram. 

Instagram Checkout: Allow users to purchase your products directly from Instagram.

Instagram Ads: Businesses can use Instagram ads to reach their target audiences.

IGTV: Long-form video content.

Saved Posts:Users can privately collect & organize content they find interesting.

Branded Hashtags: Promote brands and content with branded hashtags.

Instagram offers 3 Different Types of Instagram profile: 

• Personal
• Business 
• Creator

*Both Business and Creator accounts are types of Professional accounts on Instagram. All Instagram accounts start off as Personal by default.

Types of Instagram Accounts:

Personal Account:

Designed for individual users to connect with family & friends, share personal moments, experiences, interest & to explore content at their own pace.

Key features of personal accounts 

• Privacy settings 
• Simple sharing
• Default Account Type
• No Professional Tools
• Music Library
• Basic engagement tools

Creator Account:

Creator accounts is one of the type of Professional accounts. Designed for influencers, content creators & public figures. It offers advanced tools to manage online presence, DM categorization & to analyze growth and interact with audience. 

Key features of Creator Accounts:

• Professional Dashboard
• Profile Control
• Growth Insights
• Post Scheduling
• Messaging Tools
• Instagram Ads
• Monetization Options  
• Shoppable Posts
• Call-to-Action Buttons
• Access to Creator Studio

Business Account:

Designed for businesses to sell their products directly on instagram and to promote their products & services with features like Business Tools & Insights, Collaboration, Content Management, running ads & shop tab. 

Key features of Creator Accounts:

1. Business Tools & Insights:

• Category Label
• Instagram Insights
• Instagram Shopping
• Contact Button
• Advertising Options
• Collab Posts
• Promote Posts
• Link in Bio

2. Professional Dashboard:

• Track Performance
• Profile Optimization

3. Content Management & Scheduling:

• Third-Party Integrations
• Reels
• Instagram Stories

4. Engagement & Customer Service:

• Interactive Stickers
• Direct Messaging
• Quick Reply