Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. According to Statista, it has over 2 billion monthly active users, and SEMrush ranks it as the 8th most visited website in the world.
It’s not hard to see why many people – even those normally disinterested in social media – are interested in learning how to make an Instagram account. With such a massive user base, it’s easy to connect with new people, find interesting accounts to follow, and even grow your business.
But before you become Instagram famous or enjoy the bustling communities found on this site, you need to properly create an Instagram account.
How Do I Get Instagram?
To start, it’s recommended that you download the Instagram app. While you can make an account via your web browser, whether you’re on mobile or a computer, it’s beneficial to get the app anyway. There are many features restricted to the app, which can only be accessed via a phone or tablet.
To download the Instagram app, head to either the Play Store or App Store. It will have a camera logo with a multicolored background.
How To Make An Account On Instagram
Instagram is a sister company to Facebook, so you can quickly make a profile with your existing Facebook account if you prefer. Alternatively, since it’s mobile-focused, you can use a phone number, or simply opt for your email address.
Let’s explore how to sign up to Instagram via mobile or a web browser.
Mobile App
Using the mobile app, follow these steps for both Android and iOS:
- Open the app, and tap ‘Sign up’
- You can use your Facebook account, or ‘Create new account’
- If you create a new account, you can use your phone number or email to sign up
- Enter your confirmation code, which will be sent to you via text or email
On The Web
Here’s how to make a new Instagram account using the web.
- Head to www.instagram.com
- Click ‘Sign up’
- You can sign up with Facebook, or create a new account
- If you create a new account, you will need a phone number or email, first and last name, a username, and password
- If you create a new account, you will need a phone number or email, first and last name, a username, and password
- Click ‘Sign up’
- Enter your birthday
- Enter your confirmation code, which will be sent to you via text or email
How To Set Up An Instagram Page
The last step is actually creating your profile.
- Within the app or on your browser, go to your profile by tapping the icon on the top-right of the screen
- To the right of your name, click on ‘Edit profile’
When editing your profile, you can:
- Add a profile photo
- Change your username
- Add a bio
- Add links to your website
It’s recommended to fill this information out to make you identifiable to friends or family, as well as to keep you from looking like a bot or spam account when following others. While Instagram has a thorough detection system for fake accounts, a blank profile without a bio or profile picture (at least) may lead to other users blocking you preemptively. That will limit how much you can interact on the platform, so it’s worth the extra effort to make your profile customized and complete.
How To Make An Instagram For Business
If you have a business, learning how to set up an Instagram account is a bit different. Business profiles have more features, insights, and metrics than personal accounts, which is advantageous, but they also require you to fill out extra information.
To open an Instagram account for your business, you can start by pulling up your existing, personal account. Then:
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Tap ‘Account’
- Tap on ‘Add new professional account’
- Follow the prompts to create a brand-new account.
To upgrade your current one to a business account:
- Visit ‘Settings and privacy’
- Go to ‘Account type and tools’
- Tap ‘Switch to professional account’ and then ‘Continue’
- Choose a category from the drop-down menu that fits your business
- Hit ‘Done’ and then confirm
- Tap ‘Business’ and then ‘Next’
- Fill out your contact information or elect to skip this step
- This will create your business account, and you can fill out the rest of the profile like you would on a personal account
FAQ
Can I view an Instagram account anonymously?
You can view any profile anonymously, as there is no way to know who exactly has viewed your profile.
Should I use my real name on Instagram?
Using your real name can be beneficial if you are creating an account for your business, especially if your customers already know you by your real name. Real names are also easier to remember, spell, and search for on the app, which makes it easier to grow your audience.
This holds true for personal accounts too, so your friends, family, coworkers, or other acquaintances can know that it’s your account right away if you follow them. This makes the likelihood of them following you back higher, as well as their odds of accepting your follow request if they have a private account.
If you prefer privacy, however, then consider letting people know in advance that you’re going to follow them under a certain name, or consider messaging them on Instagram to clarify who you are after following.
Can I have two Instagram accounts?
Yes, you can have multiple Instagram accounts, whether it’s for personal or business use. You can even switch between them easily on the app, by clicking on ‘Switch’ next to your profile picture and then ‘Log into an Existing Account.’ Once finished, you can either tap the profile picture of the account you’d like to switch to and select it, or you can push and hold the icon to switch automatically between two profiles.
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