Instagram’s comprehensive approach to security means that users can access both private and public settings for their accounts.
While a public account is essentially an unlocked account, granting any Instagram user access to the posts, stories, and updates from the account holder, a private account is the opposite.
If you have a private account on Instagram, all but your username and profile picture is hidden behind a barrier that users must ask permission to cross. Those who want to follow you and unlock access to your updates and posts must send a request to follow, which you can monitor and approve or deny accordingly.
Private accounts are becoming more popular on Instagram with individual users, thanks to the increased security and the peace of mind that comes from knowing content can’t be viewed by just anyone. But how do you make your profile public again?
4 Steps To Make Instagram Profile Public
- Head to your profile page on Instagram and click on the menu button in the top right hand corner, indicated by the three horizontal lines
- Select ‘Settings and Privacy’
- Scroll down to the ‘Who Can See Your Content’ section and select ‘Account Privacy’
- If the ‘Private account’ toggle is switched on, then you need to switch it off to make your account public
And voila! With a public account, your content can be viewed by any Instagram user, and can also be seen by individuals who don’t have an Instagram account but who may be sent a link to you content via another app.
Why Make Your Profile Public?
Now that you know how to switch your Instagram account to public mode, what are the reasons for doing so?
The most common reason why a user might switch from private to public mode is to support a new business venture – for example, if they decide to launch a business through their existing Instagram page.
Having a public profile means that users can discover your profile and your content through keyword searches and on the Instagram Explore page – conversely, a private account will not appear on these streams, thus limiting exposure to a new audience.
Similarly, if a user wants to build up and establish a creator profile or become an influencer in a certain sector or industry, a public account is an important platform on which to build a reputation.
With public accounts accessible and visible to all users, it follows that making your profile public is the best way to get discovered by potential followers, fans, customers, or clients.
We hope this blog has helped, not just outlining how to make your Instagram profile public but also identifying some of the main reasons for doing so.
