Instagram setup guide
How to switch to an Instagram Professional account
A step-by-step guide to changing a personal Instagram profile to a Creator or Business account, which InboxLoop needs to reply to comments and DMs for you.
- Takes about a minute
- Free to switch
- Keeps your posts and followers
Why a Professional account is needed
Instagram lets apps such as InboxLoop manage comments and messages only for Creator and Business accounts. A personal profile cannot be connected. Switching takes about a minute, does not cost anything, and your posts, followers and messages stay as they are.
Which account type should you pick?
Creator
For people who build an audience around themselves.
- Best for influencers, artists, educators and public figures
- Growth and audience tools
- Works with InboxLoop
Business
For brands, shops and people who sell services.
- Best for brands, shops and service providers
- Add a category and contact options to your profile
- Works with InboxLoop
Both work with InboxLoop, and you can change the type later.
Switch in the Instagram app
- Your profile
- Menu (☰)
- Settings and privacy
- Account type and tools
- Switch to professional account
- Open Instagram and tap your profile picture to go to your profile.
- Tap the menu icon (☰) at the top.
- Open Settings and privacy.
- Choose Account type and tools.
- Tap Switch to professional account and follow the prompts.
- Pick Creator or Business, then choose a category that fits you.
- Finish the setup. Your profile now shows professional tools, such as a Professional dashboard.
Menu names can differ slightly between Instagram versions. If you cannot find an option, search for “professional account” in Instagram's settings search.
Then connect it to InboxLoop
- Go back to InboxLoop and open Settings.
- Select Connect with Instagram.
- Log in to the same profile you just switched.
- Approve every permission on the Instagram screen. Leave all the switches on.
Common questions
Is switching to a Professional account free?
Yes. Instagram does not charge to switch to a Creator or Business account.
Will I lose my posts, followers or messages?
No. They stay on your account after you switch.
Can I go back to a personal account?
Yes. You can change the account type later from the same Account type and tools menu in Instagram.
I switched, but InboxLoop still cannot connect. What should I do?
Log out of Instagram, log in again with the Professional profile, and approve every permission on the Instagram screen. If it still does not connect, please report it in Feedback inside InboxLoop and we will help you.
Start with one conversation
Make your next reply more useful.
Connect an Instagram Professional account, preview your workflow and test it before using it with your audience.
Free during Early Access, not a lifetime pricing commitment.