Wondering if you should switch to an Instagram Creator account?
While the platform offers three account types: personal, business, and creator — the features you can unlock with each is different.
Has anyone tried switching to an instagram creator account? Wondering if I should switch, what does it affect?
— Abby Roberts (@abbyrartistry) April 18, 2019
Stick around, we’re breaking down what an Instagram Creator account is all about, its pros (including auto publishing feed posts), and how to make the switch.
Table of Contents
What Is an Instagram Creator Account?
Launched in 2018, creator accounts (also called creator profiles), are specifically designed for the platform’s MVPs — Instagram influencers and creators.
This specific profile category provides creators with features to help build their personal brand and better support their overall social media needs.
From streamlined messaging to access to trending audio, Instagram’s creator profile is full of unique tools to support its pool of talent.
What's the Difference Between an Instagram Creator Account and a Business Account?
Instagram Business accounts are geared more toward brands, organizations, local businesses, and service providers with a clear monetization strategy on Instagram.
While both account types have an overlap in features, business accounts have a slight leg up on the competition with what they can access via third-party social media management tools (*cough* like Auto Publishing Instagram Stories).
That said, there are still multiple benefits to creator accounts (including the ability to Auto Publish Instagram feed posts — including Reels 🎉), so don't count it out just yet.
FYI: Later is trusted by over 7M creators, social media managers, and brands to manage their social media content, auto publish posts, and drive traffic. Create an account today — for free.
Who Should Be Using an Instagram Creator Account?
Instagram Creator accounts are meant for individuals looking to build their personal brand.
Think public figures such as Chris Klemens, influencers like Chrissy Rutherford, and even artists, chefs, and other creatives.
Why? Because creator accounts are all about fulfilling the needs of individuals who don’t already have a full-fledged business (yet).
It’s the perfect profile option for those looking to foster community, gain brand partnerships, and build brand awareness.
So, if you identify as a content creator or influencer, this account is for you — established companies and brands need not apply.
We interviewed two creators to find out how they took the leap to full-time content creation and how you can do it too. Read more here: How to Become a Full-time Content Creator
What Are the Benefits of an Instagram Creator Account?
By switching to a creator account, you’ll gain access to a slew of features that can jump-start your growth and monetization opportunities on Instagram.
Let’s take a closer look! The top five benefits are:
Auto Publish Feed Posts
Access To Built-in Analytics
Music Library
Streamlined Messaging
Flexible Profile Control
Benefit #1: Auto Publish Feed Posts
Thanks to a new Meta API update, Instagram Creator accounts can now automatically publish feed posts (including carousels and Reels) via third-party tools like Later.
In other words: creators can now schedule their posts to go live at a set date and time, and Later will take care of the rest.
Why does the benefit matter?
Because creators are busy!
While some prefer to post on-the-fly, it can be helpful to plan out posts days (or a week) in advance too — especially when you're creating branded content or going on vacation.
Plus, as your to-do list grows, streamlining your overall content creation process will be *chef's kiss*.
Your future self will thank you.
NOTE: Instagram Creator accounts are restricted from publishing Instagram Stories, and they will have to connect to a Facebook page in order to enable Later's auto publish features.
Benefit #2: Access To Built-in Analytics
With an Instagram Creator profile, you’ll gain access to a mobile dashboard of in-depth insights such as follow/unfollow data, post-performance, and more.
You'll be able to see what is (and isn't) resonating with your followers, so you can tweak your strategy accordingly.
Though, depending on how much analyzing you want to do, desktop could be easier.
With Later, you’ll find all of the must-have analytics from Instagram in a digestible format, as well as several extra data points — including your best time to post.
Plus, Later’s Instagram Analytics have separate “Post Performance,” "Reel Performance," and “Story Performance” dashboards — so you can see exactly how each channel is driving value for you.
Level-up your performance tracking with Later's Instagram Analytics feature. Sign up today and start exploring the dashboard.
Benefit #3: Full Music Library
Access to Instagram's full music library is where the creator account really delivers.
Due to commercial music limitations and copyright concerns, it can be tricky for those with business accounts to use trending Reels audio.
However, with a creator account, you’re in luck!
According to Later's Social Media Specialist, Chantal Hermetz, “If you have a creator profile on Instagram, you'll have access to a massive library of Reels sounds.”
This means you’ll never miss out on an opportunity to hop on a trending audio’s momentum and potentially go viral.
Speaking of Reels audio, learn our top tips for finding trending songs and sounds on Instagram Reels by watching this video:
Benefit #4: Streamlined Messaging
Creators are often bombarded with DMs, ranging from “where’d you buy that top?” to collaboration requests, and more.
So, as you can imagine, with thousands of followers, this can get overwhelming.
Thankfully, Instagram Creator profiles make managing messages a breeze with three DM filtering tabs, including:
Primary: Allows notifications.
General: No notifications.
Requests: No notifications. These are from users you don’t follow (you can choose to accept or deny these requests).
This allows creators to prioritize messages from brands and friends, or rank them by relevance or time to make sure they never miss an important request.
NOTE: If you don’t fancy these filters you can also change your messaging tab notifications in your settings, too.
Benefit #5: Flexible Profile Control
On top of having more control over who is messaging you, Instagram Creator profiles also have more control over how you’re being contacted.
Creators can designate (or hide) their preferred method of contact on their profile (including call, text, and email), and have more flexibility on what they choose to include as a CTA on their page.
Translation: You’ll be able to filter out “cold” messages and spend more time engaging in meaningful interactions with brands you prefer to work with.
Ready to take the first step into becoming an Instagram influencer? Read this blog post: How to Become a Successful Influencer in 2023
How to Switch to an Instagram Creator Account (A Step-By-Step Guide)
Now that you’ve heard all about the bells and whistles of creator accounts, here’s how to officially make the switch from either an Instagram Business or Personal account:
How to Switch From a Personal Account to a Creator Account:
To switch to an Instagram Creator profile, head to your Instagram profile and tap “≡” in the top right corner, then tap “Settings”, and select “Account”:
Tap “Switch to professional account”:
Here, you’ll swipe through Instagram’s prompts and tap “Continue”:
Now it's time to set up your account.
Select a category that best describes what you do and toggle whether you’d like it to be displayed on your profile:
Select “Creator” and tap “Next”:
Here you’ll be prompted to get acquainted with Instagram’s creator tools, including: "Complete Your Profile", "Get Inspired", "Grow Your Audience", "Share Content to View Insights", and "Explore Tools and Insights":
And voila, just like that, you’ve officially made the switch to an Instagram Creator account!
How to Switch From a Business Account to a Creator Account:
To switch to an Instagram Creator profile, head to your Instagram profile and tap “≡” in the top right corner, then tap “Settings”, and select “Account”:
Next, tap “Switch account type” and select “Switch to creator account”:
From here, it’s time to set up your account. Select a category that best describes what you do and toggle whether you’d like it to be displayed on your account:
Next, you’ll have the option to connect your Facebook Page. If you’d prefer not to link your account tap “Skip."
You'll then be able to review your contact information (at least one), and be prompted to get acquainted with Instagram’s various creator tools.
Once you’ve toured Instagram’s creator features you can officially claim creator account status.
NOTE: If time is not on your side you can also dive into the creator tools at a later time.
Why Should You Use Later for Your Instagram Creator Account?
There are plenty of third-party platforms to help you manage and analyze your Instagram content.
But Later's host of features are the most efficient at helping you save time, stay organized, and post consistently.
Plus, with Later, you'll also have an Instagram-approved content marketing partner trusted by over 7M creators and brands!
If you have an Instagram Creator account, you'll be able to access the following features:
Automatically publish Instagram feed posts (or through push notifications — if you choose)
Access in-depth Instagram analytics
Search for (and collect) media by hashtags
Collect media from Instagram posts you’re tagged or mentioned in
Manage Instagram comments with Conversations
See your Best Times to Post
However, you will not be able to:
Auto Publish your Instagram Stories
Tag people or add locations
Add a First Comment
P. S. Feature availability also depends on your specific Later plan.
Ultimately, there are unique advantages and disadvantages to using a creator profile, but it depends on what you're trying to achieve.
If you’re a creator looking to monetize your content and build more partnerships with brands, switching to a creator profile is a great option — especially now that the creator economy is estimated to be worth $100B.
So, have you made the switch yet?
ICYMI: Later makes creators' lives easier with tools including a media kit, a customized Linkin.bio, and your personal best time to post. Create an account and get started:
