Everything you need to know about Creator Accounts on Instagram

In the realm of social media marketing, particularly on Instagram, content creators face a choice between two account types: Instagram business or Instagram creator. Your goals in Instagram marketing and how you plan to use the platform’s insights will guide your decision on which account suits you best.

Back in late 2018, Instagram introduced a new account type tailored for its top users, including influencers and content creators. This new account, called the creator account, offers similar features to business profiles, such as unique analytics and content options.

Before the introduction of creator accounts, influencers typically used business profiles to access insights and call-to-action buttons. However, these accounts lacked certain features like advanced growth insights and tools for monetizing content, which the creator accounts now provide.

Check out our post on Business versus Creator accounts to learn even more

What is an Instagram Creator Account?

An Instagram creator account is a specialized type of Instagram profile designed specifically for individuals who create their own content on the platform. Similar to an Instagram business account, it caters to the needs of individual creators rather than businesses.

By switching to a creator profile, content creators and influencers gain access to additional growth tools, customizable profile settings, and streamlined messaging features.

Who Should Use a Creator Instagram Account?

Creator accounts are intended for individuals looking to monetize their personal brand, including influencers, public figures, content creators, artists, and others in similar categories.

These accounts are aimed at establishing brand partnerships, building dedicated fan communities, sharing industry-specific content, showcasing expertise, and positioning themselves as influential thought leaders.

If you are looking for an instant Instagram account creator, check out our 30 days of Canva templates to get you started.

Given that analytics are a top priority for Instagram influencers, it’s no surprise that Instagram creator profiles are designed with analytics in mind. These profiles provide insights into follower growth and account activity, empowering creators to understand audience engagement and content performance.

Activity Insights, found within the Insights tab of the account dashboard, reveal user interactions with your content. This includes tracking content reach and total views over the past week.

Audience Insights offer valuable demographic data about your followers, including gender, age range, and location.

The Creator Studio dashboard simplifies access to metrics, particularly for desktop users, although many of these analytics are already available on Instagram business profiles.

With access to daily follow/unfollow data, creators can better track follower trends and gauge content resonance, a feature previously exclusive to business profiles.

Creators now have three additional tabs for filtering messages: Primary, which includes notifications; General, which excludes notifications; and Requests, which contains messages from non-followers without notifications.

What are the differences between personal, Creator and Business Instagram accounts?

DETAILS	PERSONAL ACCOUNT	CREATOR ACCOUNT	BUSINESS ACCOUNT
Who are they for?	Any standard or typical Instagram user	Public figures Content creators Photographers Artists Influencers	Retailers Local businesses Brands Organizations
Post Types	Stories Reels Posts Lives IGTV	Stories Reels Posts Lives Guides	Stories Reels Posts Lives Guides IGTV
Bio and Profile	Simple profile and information	A label, listed beneath your display name, so that visitors know what your niche is	A label, beneath your display name, lists what your business is about.  Business accounts have an extra option to add their location
Call to Action	Limited Call to actions	Add contact options with additional Call to Action buttons. Creators have fewer options for buttons than Business accounts.	Add additional Call to Action buttons to your profile so that you can add contact information or a website
Advertising	No Advertising options	The ability to promote and boost Instagram posts as ads.	The ability to promote and boost Instagram posts as ads.
Auto Publish	No option of auto publishing	Access to Instagram’s “Creator Studio,” which displays all your stats in one convenient location	Integrations with third-party tools so that you can automatically publish to your profile.
Inbox and DM’s	Simple DM inbox	Inbox sorting so that your DMs can be sorted into Primary, General and Requests boxes. Saved reply tool	Inbox sorting so that your DMs can be sorted into Primary, General and Requests boxes. Saved reply tool
Reels Music	Most music is available	No limit on Music	Business accounts limits access to music on Instagram
Paid Collaborations	Not Available but tagging businesses is still allowed	To comply with FTC guidelines, Instagram makes it easy to disclose that information with the Paid Partnership tag. Not only does this provide transparency to your audience, but you’re also able to easily share insights from those posts with whatever brand or business you are collaborating with.	To comply with FTC guidelines, Instagram makes it easy to disclose that information with the Paid Partnership tag. Not only does this provide transparency to your audience, but you’re also able to easily share insights from those posts with whatever brand or business you are collaborating with.
Insights and analytics	Can only see likes	Detailed insights into your audience and Get the daily number of follows and unfollows, so that you can see which content performs best.	Detailed insights into your audience demographics, the best times to post, and other metrics. Instagram statistics can be exported and shared with others within your organization
Shoppable Posts	Not an option	Creator accounts have the ability to tag products from brands with approved access.	Instagram Shoppable posts, when you sync your store with Instagram. Business accounts can also set up Instagram Shopping, which allows them to add a Shop to their profile, tag products in posts/Stories, and view insights.

How to set up your Instagram Creator Account?

Step 1: Access Your Settings

To begin, open your Instagram app and navigate to your profile page. Tap on the three lines in the top right corner to access the menu. From there, select “Settings” at the bottom of the list.

Step 2: Switch to a Creator Account

In the Settings menu, scroll down until you find the “Account” section. Tap on “Account” to reveal additional options. Next, select “Switch to Professional Account.”

Step 3: Choose the Creator Account

After selecting “Switch to Professional Account,” Instagram will prompt you to choose between a Business Account and a Creator Account. Tap on “Creator” to proceed.

Step 4: Customize Your Profile

Once you’ve chosen the Creator Account option, you’ll be asked to customize your profile. This includes selecting a category that best describes your content, such as “Artist,” “Influencer,” or “Content Creator.” You can also add contact information, like an email address or phone number, for your followers to reach you.

Step 5: Explore Insights and Features

Congratulations! You now have access to a variety of tools and insights designed to help you grow your audience and engage with your followers. Navigate to your profile and tap on the Insights button (located next to the Edit Profile button) to explore your account’s performance metrics.

Step 6: Utilize Creator Studio

Make the most of your Creator Account by utilizing Creator Studio, a powerful tool that allows you to schedule posts, view analytics, and manage your content directly from your desktop computer. Visit creatorstudio.instagram.com and log in using your Instagram credentials to get started.

Step 7: Create Compelling Content

With your Instagram Creator Account set up and ready to go, it’s time to start creating and sharing content that resonates with your audience. Experiment with different types of posts, engage with your followers, and stay true to your unique voice and style.

Step 8: Grow Your Audience

Building a loyal following takes time and dedication, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results overnight. Stay consistent with your posting schedule, interact with your audience regularly, and collaborate with other creators to expand your reach.

Step 9: Stay Informed

Keep up-to-date with the latest trends and features on Instagram by following the official Instagram blog and staying active in online communities for creators. By staying informed, you can adapt your strategy to better meet the needs and preferences of your audience.

Step 10: Have Fun!

Above all, remember to have fun and enjoy the creative process. Your Instagram Creator Account is a platform for self-expression and connection, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your posts.

With these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful presence on Instagram as a creator.

Is the Instagram Creator Account right for you?

Think about your goals on Instagram. Are you a creative mind who wants to collaborate with brands? Then Creator might be your pick. Running a business and want to reach more customers? Business is your best bet. And if you’re just using Instagram for fun, a Personal account is perfectly fine!

No matter which account you choose, Instagram offers a variety of features to help you connect and grow. So get out there and create something awesome!