How to Create an Instagram Page with an Existing Account

Thinking about launching a new project, business, or brand on Instagram without the headache of logging out of your personal account every time? You’re in the right place. This guide shows you exactly how to create and manage a new Instagram page directly from your existing account, making it simple to switch between your personal and professional worlds. We’ll walk through every step, from creating the account to optimizing it for success.

Why Manage Multiple Instagram Accounts Together?

Before jumping into the "how," it's helpful to understand the "why." Managing multiple Instagram accounts under one login isn't just about convenience - it's about smart strategy. For entrepreneurs, content creators, and marketers, this feature is a game-changer.

• Seamless Switching: Forget the annoying process of logging out and back in. Switch between your personal profile, your business page, and even a side-hustle account with just two taps.
• Centralized Notifications: Get notifications for all your connected accounts in one place. No need to worry about missing an important comment or DM on one page while you're active on another.
• Streamlined Workflow: For anyone managing social media, this streamlined approach saves a significant amount of time and mental energy, allowing you to focus on creating great content rather than juggling credentials.

Essentially, Instagram’s multi-account feature acts as a command center, allowing you to operate several distinct profiles from a single phone and a single app instance. Your followers on one account won't know about your others unless you choose to tag or promote them - each profile remains entirely separate and independent.

Step-by-Step: Adding and Creating a New Page

Let's get down to it. There are two primary scenarios you might face: you either already have a second account you want to add, or you need to build a brand new one from the ground up. The process for both is nearly identical and starts from your current profile page.

Path A: How to Add an Existing Instagram Page

If you've already created the Instagram account for your business or brand and just want to link it for easy management, follow these steps. It should only take a minute.

1. Go to Your Profile: Open the Instagram app and navigate to your main profile page by tapping your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.
2. Tap Your Username: At the very top of the screen, tap on your current username. A dropdown menu will appear showing any accounts you've already linked.
3. Select 'Add Account': At the bottom of this menu, you’ll see an option to "Add Account." Tap on it.
4. Log Into Existing Account: You'll be presented with two choices. Select “Log into Existing Account.”
5. Enter Your Credentials: Simply enter the username and password for the second account you want to add and tap “Log In.”

That's it! Instagram will now link the accounts. You can switch between them anytime by tapping your username at the top of your profile page and selecting which one you want to manage. Fast, simple, and efficient.

Path B: How to Create a New Instagram Page From Your Existing Account

If you don’t have an account for your new venture yet, you can create it directly within the app without logging out. This method is incredibly handy because it saves you from having to enter new contact information from scratch.

1. Go to Your Profile: As before, open the Instagram app and go to your profile page.
2. Tap Your Username: Tap on your username at the top of the screen to open the account switching menu.
3. Select 'Add Account': Tap the button to “Add Account.”
4. Create New Account: This time, choose the other option: “Create New Account.”
5. Choose a Username: Instagram will prompt you to pick a username for your new page. Choose wisely! Make it memorable, easy to spell, and representative of your brand. Instagram will check its availability in real-time.
6. Set a Password: Create a strong, secure password for your new account.
7. Complete the Signup: Instagram will offer to complete your signup using information pulled from your existing account. This saves a few steps. You can review and edit this information. The app will then guide you through the final setup steps, like adding a profile picture and writing a bio.

Your new account is now live and linked to your primary one. You can switch back and forth effortlessly using the same username tap-and-select method described above.

The Most Important Next Step: Switch to a Professional Account

You’ve created the page - but you’re not done yet. Your new Instagram page currently operates as a standard personal profile, which means you’re missing out on a suite of powerful tools designed for brands and creators. Converting your page to a Professional Account is essential.

A professional account unlocks three massive benefits:

• Instagram Insights: This is your analytics dashboard. You’ll be able to see detailed data on your posts, stories, and audience. What’s your reach? Who are your followers (age, gender, location)? When are they most active? This information is vital for growing your page strategically.
• Contact Options: You can add buttons to your profile allowing people to email you, call you, or get directions (if you have a physical location). This makes it much easier for potential customers or collaborators to connect with you.
• Promotional Tools: A professional account gives you the ability to create and run ads directly within the Instagram app, helping you reach a wider audience.

Fortunately, making the switch is free and easy.

How to Convert Your New Page to a Professional Account:

1. Switch to Your New Account: Make sure you’ve selected the new account you just created.
2. Open Settings: Go to your profile page, tap the three horizontal lines (the hamburger menu) in the top-right corner, and then select “Settings and privacy.”
3. Find Account Tools: Scroll down to the “For professionals” section and tap on “Account type and controls.”
4. Initiate the Switch: Tap on “Switch to Professional Account.” Instagram will show you a few screens explaining the benefits. Tap “Continue” through each one.
5. Select a Category: Choose a category that best describes your brand or business (e.g., "Entrepreneur," "Blogger," "Digital Creator," "Restaurant"). This helps Instagram understand your niche. You can choose whether to display this category label on your profile.
6. Choose Your Account Type: 'Creator' or 'Business':
   • Creator: Best for public figures, content producers, artists, and influencers. It offers slightly more flexible profile controls and more detailed growth metrics.
   • Business: Best for retailers, local businesses, brands, and service providers. It allows you to add location information and prioritize business-oriented contact options.
   Pick the one that aligns best with your goals. For most brands or companies, "Business" is the way to go.
7. Review and Finalize: Review your contact information and decide if you want to link your Instagram page to a Facebook Business Page (this is highly recommended for running ads). After that, your professional account setup is complete!

Best Practices for Managing Your New Instagram Page

With everything set up, a new challenge begins: managing your accounts effectively without crossing the streams. Here are some actionable tips to keep everything running smoothly.

1. Clarify the Purpose of Each Account

Your personal account is for you. Your new page is for your brand. Maintain a clear distinction between them. The voice, tone, and type of content on your business page should be consistent with your brand guidelines, while your personal page can remain, well, personal. Avoid posting the same exact content to both unless there is a clear strategic reason for a crossover.

2. Build a Strong Brand Identity

Your new page starts as a blank slate. Give it life with a clean, recognizable brand identity.

• Profile Picture: Use a high-quality logo. Your profile picture is shown in a small circle, so ensure your logo is legible and not overly detailed.
• Compelling Bio: You have 150 characters to explain what your page is about and give people a reason to follow and engage. State what you do, who you serve, and add a clear call to action (e.g., “Shop our new collection👇”).
• Link in Bio: Utilize your one precious link! Use a link-tree style service if you have multiple places you want to direct followers, or simply link to your main website or product page.

3. Always Double-Check Which Account You're In

This is the cardinal rule of managing multiple accounts. It's incredibly easy to accidentally post a personal photo to your business page or a branded graphic to your personal feed. Before you hit "Share" on any post, reply to any comment, or send a DM, glance at the top of the screen or look at the profile photo in the navigation bar to confirm you are in the correct account. Make it a habit. This one small check can save you from a lot of potential embarrassment.

4. Plan Your Content Strategically

Now that you have access to Instagram Insights, use it. Check when your audience is most active and schedule your posts accordingly. Plan themes, set up series, and build a Content Calendar to ensure you post consistently. An unplanned social media strategy rarely succeeds. Think about your goals - is it lead generation, community building, or direct sales? - and build content that supports those goals.

Final Thoughts

Creating and linking a new Instagram page from an existing account is a straightforward process that instantly simplifies your workflow. By following these steps and immediately switching to a professional profile, you unlock all the necessary tools to monitor performance, engage with your audience effectively, and build a powerful brand presence from day one.

We know that juggling content planning, scheduling, and community management across multiple accounts can quickly become chaotic. That's why we designed our visual calendar in Postbase to help you see your entire content strategy at a glance. You can schedule content across all your pages at once, manage comments and DMs in a single inbox, and track what’s working without getting overwhelmed, giving you valuable time back to focus on your business.