Instagram is a leading social media tool for reaching audiences online. According to research by eMarketer, the platform currently has over 1 billion users worldwide. Between 2020 and 2021, in fact, over 70 million additional users joined. What does this mean for you? Essentially, Instagram is growing in popularity year by year with no signs of slowing down. More and more individuals and businesses are taking to the platform to get in touch with new audiences. Therefore, if you don’t have an account already, you could be missing out on a massive opportunity.
Instagram is also an ideal way to reach younger populations. Over 70% of Instagram users are under the age of 35. If you want to get a feel for what young people are drawn to, Instagram is a great place to brainstorm ideas. However, more than likely you should also have an account of your own to take part in the conversation and market your brand. It can be overwhelming to manage this by yourself, so in some cases you may want to turn to a team of professionals who can help promote your business and manage your social media accounts.
The most important thing to be aware of are the different types of Instagram accounts. Each has a unique purpose and is designed to be utilized in a specific scenario. The two main types are personal and professional; however, professional accounts are divided further into “creator” or “business” accounts. Read more below to learn about the key differences between these categories.
Personal Instagram Account
Best for: Individuals, very small businesses, bloggers
Personal Instagram accounts serve up the basics. For most businesses, this might not be the best option due to the limited amount of resources available. However, there are some benefits to personal accounts that you can’t get with professional accounts, so it’s good to be aware of the differences.
Personal accounts don’t have API (Application Programming Interface) access, so you won’t be able to use third-party analytics, schedule out posts, or use the Creator Studio. Most of the business-oriented features won’t be available to you (like gift card stickers, contact buttons or the swipe-up option for Instagram Stories). However, this type of account enables the usage of the full Instagram music library for Stories and Reels. A personal account is also the only type of account that can be private. For someone like a blogger who uses their Instagram account for personal and professional reasons and requires a full music library or a privacy option, this would be an ideal choice.
Professional Instagram Account
The average business owner would probably choose a professional Instagram account over a personal one due to the benefit of so many added features.
A Creator Account
Best for: Influencers promoting outside products and services
Creator accounts are designed for content creators who partner with brands. Due to the main objective of this account type, more business-oriented options are available for creators. As an influencer, you can utilize contact buttons, gift card stickers, the swipe-up feature and some Instagram analytical insights with your account. Like personal accounts, you can also use the full music library for your Stories and Reels. However, you still will not have access to the same API features businesses on Instagram have. Again, this means no post scheduling, third-party analytics or access to the Creator Studio.
A Business Account
Best for: Small to large-scale companies offering products and services
An Instagram business account is the perfect choice if you want to use all the tools that are at your disposal on the platform. API features are absolutely key to the success of a business’ Instagram account. Scheduling posts in advance allows you or your fellow employees to make posts and then get back to the more important aspects of running your business. Analytics give you a broader perspective on your social media presence and what you can do to improve your reach. Finally, the Creator Studio provides a place for you to organize and keep track of your posts, messages and insights.
One thing to take note of is that you will only be able to use royalty-free music with a business account. Why? Some music owners don’t want their tunes to be used for commercial purposes. If this isn’t something that bothers you, the other features of an Instagram business account are priceless and can give you the means to grow your business.
The Bottom Line
In 2018, 71% of businesses in the U.S. reported that they use Instagram for marketing purposes. While hands-on advertising methods are also recommended, social media is and continues to be the way of the future. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are spending their time online to shop and share their experiences with friends and loved ones. If you’re not on Instagram, you don’t have access to this major portion of the population.
While a personal account will certainly serve minor needs, creator and business accounts offer more avenues for audience reach. Ultimately, the choice is up to you: envision yourself and your brand. How important are each of these tools for you individually? How often do you think you would use them? As long as you are considering your social media strategy and thinking about how to engage the modern world through social media platforms like Instagram, you’re on the right path.
We Are Here to Help Grow Your Business Through Instagram and Other Social Media Platforms
Working with a professional digital marketing company is the best way to make the most of your website and all that Instagram, Facebook Pixel, LinkedIn ads, Google Analytics and other digital advertising and social media platforms have to offer. To learn more about the best digital marketing strategies for your company and reach a bigger audience than ever before, work with Gauge Digital Media. For a quote or to schedule a call, contact us at (443) 376-7709.
