How to Put Public Figure on Instagram

Want to add that official-looking Public Figure label to your Instagram profile? You're in the right place. Switching your account category is a simple tap-and-go process, but building a presence that truly feels like a public figure takes a bit more thought. This guide provides quick step-by-step instructions for making the switch and goes further by outlining the strategies you need to build a powerful personal brand that lives up to the title.

Why Change Your Instagram to “Public Figure”?

While a simple text label under your name might seem like a small detail, switching to a "Public Figure" category on Instagram does more than just change how your profile looks. It’s about signaling professionalism and unlocking tools designed for creators and brands.

Here’s what you actually get:

• Enhanced Credibility: The "Public Figure" tag adds a layer of authority and legitimacy to your profile. For followers, it quickly communicates that your account is the official presence for a person of interest, whether you're an artist, author, entrepreneur, or community leader. It sets a professional tone from the first glance.
• Access to In-Depth Analytics: Once you switch to a professional account (which is required to get the category label), you unlock Instagram Insights. This isn't just about tracking likes and followers. You can see detailed data on your audience demographics (age, gender, location), the times they are most active, and how people discover your content - critical information for creating content that actually resonates.
• More Contact Options: A professional account allows you to add contact buttons directly to your profile. This gives agents, collaborators, and fans a direct line to reach you via email or phone without you having to share that personal information publicly in your bio.
• Access to the Professional Dashboard: This central hub gives you tools for tracking your performance, accessing branded content tools for partnerships, and setting up features like suggested replies for frequently asked questions in your DMs.

In short, the "Public Figure" label is your gateway to treating your Instagram presence like a brand, not just a personal page.

The Quick Guide: How to Add the "Public Figure" Category to Your Profile

Ready to make the change? It just takes a few minutes inside the Instagram app. Before you can select the "Public Figure" category, your account needs to be set up as a Professional Account. This can be either a "Creator" or "Business" account type.

Step 1: Switch to a Professional Account

If you're still using a personal account, you’ll need to make this switch first.

1. Go to your Instagram profile and tap the three horizontal lines (the "hamburger" menu) in the top-right corner.
2. Tap Settings and privacy.
3. Scroll down to the "For professionals" section and tap Account type and tools.
4. Tap Switch to professional account and follow the prompts.
5. Instagram will ask you to choose between two types: Creator or Business. For most individuals, Creator is the best fit. It's designed for public figures, artists, and influencers, offering more flexible profile controls and growth tools tailored to personal brands. The Business account type is intended for companies with physical locations or those running extensive ad campaigns.

Once you’ve selected "Creator," you'll be prompted to choose a category - this is where you officially become a "Public Figure."

Step 2: Select Your "Public Figure" Category

During the setup process or by editing your profile later, you can select the label you want.

1. Go to your profile and tap Edit Profile.
2. Under "Public business information," tap Category.
3. Use the search bar at the top to type in "Public Figure."
4. Select it from the list and tap Done.
5. You’ll be taken back to the "Edit Profile" screen. Here, you'll see a new option called Category label or similar. Tap it.
6. You can now toggle on or off the Display on profile option. If you want everyone to see the "Public Figure" label under your name, make sure this is turned on.
7. Tap Done again to save your changes.

That's it! The "Public Figure" category should now be visible on your profile. But the technical steps are just the beginning. The real work is in building a presence that matches the title.

Beyond the Label: Strategies to Truly *Be* a Public Figure on Instagram

Having the tag is one thing, earning it in the eyes of your audience is another. Building a public figure brand is less about the label and more about strategy, consistency, and connection. Here's how to move beyond the settings menu and build a brand that commands attention.

1. Define Your Personal Brand Pillars

Before you post another thing, take a moment to define what you stand for. You can't be everything to everyone. Your "brand pillars" are the 3-5 core topics or themes that your content will consistently revolve around. A brand strategist might have pillars like "Marketing Tips," "Entrepreneurial Mindset," and "Behind-the-Scenes Life." A musician might focus on "Songwriting Process," "Live Performance Clips," and "Personal Influences."

Having these pillars makes content creation easier and helps your audience know exactly what to expect from you. It’s the foundation of a strong, recognizable brand.

2. Craft a Bio That Converts Followers into Fans

Your bio is your digital elevator pitch. It needs to be clear, concise, and compelling. A great public figure bio answers three questions in seconds:

• Who are you? (e.g., Keynote Speaker, Author of a best-selling book, Founder of X)
• What value do you provide? (e.g., Helping you build smarter habits, Sharing daily doses of creativity)
• What should I do next? (Your Call-to-Action or CTA, like "👇 Grab your free guide here" or "🎤 Book me to speak")

Finally, make sure your one "link in bio" is pulling its weight. Use a tool like Linktree or Beacons to create a landing page that directs followers to your most important resources - your website, latest podcast episode, newsletter signup, or products.

3. Develop a Multi-Format Content Strategy

Instagram isn't just about beautiful photos anymore. To reach the widest audience and build the deepest connection, you need to leverage the platform's different content formats. Each serves a unique purpose for a public figure.

• Reels: This is a powerful tool for discovery and reaching people who don’t follow you yet. Use Reels to share quick tips, engaging stories, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or to participate in trending audio with your own unique twist. The goal is attention-grabbing entertainment or value in under 60 seconds.
• Stories: Stories are for your existing community. This is where you can be unpolished, personal, and interactive. Use polls, Q&A stickers, and quizzes to start conversations and get real-time feedback. Show the day-to-day reality behind your brand to build know, like, and trust.
• Carousels &, Static Posts: Use these feed posts for your most valuable, "evergreen" content. Carousels are fantastic for breaking down complex topics into digestible slides, creating step-by-step tutorials, or sharing impactful quotes and insights. This is the content people save and refer back to later.
• Going Live: Instagram Live is unmatched for authentic, unscripted engagement. You can host audience Q&A sessions, interview another expert in your field, or give a backstage tour before a big event. It’s a direct, unfiltered line to your community.

4. Build a Community (Don't Just Collect Followers)

A "public figure" with an unengaged audience isn't much of a figure at all. The real value is in the community you build. Make it a priority to be present and responsive.

• Engage with Comments: Don't just "like" comments - reply to them, ask follow-up questions, and show your appreciation. Even dedicating 15-30 minutes after you post to engage with early commenters can massively boost your post's performance and build loyalty.
• Acknowledge Your DMs: The DM inbox is where your strongest relationships are built. While you may need automated replies for common questions, try to respond personally where you can. A simple voice note can turn a passive follower into a super-fan.
• Encourage and Share User-Generated Content (UGC): When someone posts about your book, your product, or a concept you taught them, share it! Reposting tagged content to your Stories shows you’re listening and makes your community feel seen and valued.

Final Thoughts

Putting "Public Figure" on your Instagram is a simple account setting, but building the brand to back it up is an ongoing commitment. The key is combining the technical setup with a thoughtful strategy dedicated to providing value, showing up consistently, and creating a genuine connection with your audience.

As you scale your personal brand, juggling all these different content formats and community interactions can get chaotic, fast. At Postbase, we built our visual planner and scheduler specifically for this modern reality - we know how tough it is because we’ve been there. Planning your Reels, Stories, and posts in a single calendar, scheduling them reliably, and then managing all your comments and DMs from one unified inbox makes consistency achievable. If you're looking for a simple way to stay organized and engage with your community without the stress, you can see how Postbase can help you get there.