How to Switch from a Business to a Creator Account on Instagram

Thinking about switching your Instagram Business account to a Creator account, but not sure what the difference really is? You're in the right place. This guide breaks down everything from the key feature differences between the account types, who should (and shouldn't) make the switch, and a step-by-step tutorial on making the change in less than five minutes.

Should You Switch? Breaking Down Instagram Business vs. Creator Accounts

On the surface, Instagram's Business and Creator accounts can seem almost identical. They both give you access to analytics, contact information on your profile, and the ability to run ads. But a few small differences can have a big impact on your workflow, community management, and how you understand your audience growth. Before you tap that switch button, let's get clear on what actually changes.

Key Differences at a Glance

The best way to decide is to compare them side-by-side. Here are the core features that set the two account types apart:

• Contact Options and Profile Display: Both accounts let you display contact info, but in different ways. A Business Account is designed for establishments with a physical location, allowing you to add a full address that opens in a map app, along with a phone number and email. A Creator Account offers more flexibility. You can choose which contact methods to show or hide, and you have much more freedom in displaying (or hiding) your category label. For a public figure who doesn't want their email publicly blasted but still wants brand partnership inquiries, this is a perfect middle ground.
• Creator Category Labels: This is a major perk for creators. While Business accounts have traditional categories like "Restaurant" or "Shopping &, Retail," Creator accounts get access to a massive list of identity-focused labels. Think "Digital Creator," "Artist," "Content Creator," "Writer," "Public Figure," or "Coach." These labels help signal to your audience and potential collaborators exactly who you are and what you do.
• Analytics &, Insights: Here’s where things get interesting. Business accounts offer robust insights on your overall reach, impressions, and audience demographics (like top cities and age ranges). Creator accounts show you that, too, but they also give you access to *daily* follow and unfollow data. If your goal is to understand what specific content is making people join or leave your community, the creator insights are far more useful. You can post a Reel, check your insights the next day, and see, "I gained 50 followers and lost 10 after posting that." That's incredibly powerful feedback for refining your content strategy.
• Direct Message (DM) Inbox Filtering: For anyone who gets a lot of DMs, the Creator inbox is a game-changer. It automatically filters your messages into two tabs: Primary and General. You can move conversations between them to prioritize messages from close friends, brands, or collaborators (Primary) while keeping the flood of general messages from your wider audience organized (General). This simple feature can restore your sanity and ensure you never miss an important message again. Business accounts typically have a single, unified inbox that can quickly become overwhelming.
• Music Access in Reels & Stories: This might be the single biggest reason people switch. Due to music licensing agreements, Business accounts often have a very limited music library filled with generic, royalty-free commercial tracks. Creator Accounts, however, typically have full access to the mainstream music library on Instagram. If using trending audio and popular songs is a core part of your Reel and Story strategy, a Creator account is practically a necessity.

Is a Creator Account Right for You?

Now that you know the functional differences, the choice becomes much clearer. It really comes down to your primary goal on the platform. The "Business" name is a bit misleading, plenty of individuals building a business for themselves are better served by the Creator account.

You SHOULD Switch if You...

If any of these sound familiar, a Creator account was tailor-made for you:

• Are an influencer, public figure, or artist. Your personal brand is the brand. You need flexible profile labels, control over your contact info, and the creator DM inbox to manage communication.
• Are a coach, consultant, or online service provider. Your business is built around you as an expert. Using a label like "Entrepreneur" or "Coach" instantly communicates your value. The daily follow/unfollow data is essential for seeing how your expertise-driven content resonates.
• Focus heavily on content creation. If your work revolves around making Reels, videos, and connecting with an audience directly, everything about the Creator account is designed to support that workflow - especially the full music library.
• Want to understand *why* your audience is growing (or shrinking). The daily follower metrics are unmatched for anyone who experiments with their content and wants immediate feedback on what's working.

You Should Stick with a Business Account if You...

The classic Business profile still has its place, especially for more traditional setups:

• Run a local brick-and-mortar business. If you have a physical store, restaurant, or salon, the ability to display a clickable physical address on your profile is far more valuable than a flexible category label.
• Are a larger organization or established brand. For companies where the brand, not an individual, is the focus, the "Business" designation and analytics are perfectly sufficient. You don’t need the nuanced daily follower counts as much as you need the top-level demographic data.
• Rely on certain third-party apps for automated scheduling. Historically, some automation and scheduling tools had more direct API access with Business accounts. While most modern tools have full Creator account support now, it’s worth double-checking if you use a very specific or older application. The Business account is the safest bet for maximum third-party compatibility.

How to Switch from a Business Account to a Creator Account: The 5 Simple Steps

Convinced a Creator account is the right move for you? The good news is that making the switch is straightforward and just takes a minute. Here’s exactly how to do it:

1. Go to your Instagram Profile. Open the app and tap on your profile picture in the bottom-right corner to go to your main profile grid.
2. Open the Settings Menu. Tap the three horizontal lines (the "hamburger" icon) in the top-right corner of your screen. A menu will pop up from the bottom. Select "Settings and privacy" from the top of the list.
3. Find your Account Settings. On the main settings page, near the top, you’ll see a section called "For professionals." Tap on "Creator tools and controls." If you still see the older layout, you may need to tap "Account" instead.
4. Choose to Switch Account Type. Scroll down in this menu until you see the option "Switch account type." Give it a tap.
5. Confirm Your Choice. Instagram will present you with two options: "Switch to Personal Account" and "Switch to Creator Account." Tap on "Switch to Creator Account." A confirmation pop-up will appear explaining what the change means. Tap "Switch," and you’re done! Your Profile is now a Creator Account.

As a final step, Instagram will prompt you to select a Creator category. Take a moment to browse through the options and pick the one that best represents you and your brand.

What to Expect After You Make the Switch

Congratulations! You're officially on a Creator account. Making the change is painless, but a few common questions pop up right after. Here’s what you need to know:

Will I lose my existing insights and analytics?

No! Your historical analytics are safe. You won’t lose any of your past data. From the moment you switch, Instagram will simply start collecting the new, creator-specific data points (like daily follows/unfollows) and adding them to your Insights moving forward.

Will my scheduling apps stop working?

Probably not, but you may need to reconnect. Nearly all modern, reputable scheduling platforms fully support Creator accounts. After switching, the best practice is to head over to your scheduling tool and re-authenticate your Instagram connection. This just means logging in again to give the app fresh permission, a process that usually takes seconds. The vast majority of API tools will work exactly as they did before.

Can I still boost posts and run ads?

Yes, absolutely. The ability to promote posts and run ads through the Meta Ads Manager is available for both Creator and Business accounts. You won’t lose any access to your promotion tools.

What if I change my mind? Can I switch back?

Of course. If you explore the Creator account and decide the Business account features are a better fit after all, you can swap back just as easily. Just follow the exact same steps above, but this time you’ll see the option to "Switch to Business Account." The process is completely reversible.

Final Thoughts

Switching from a Business to a Creator account is a quick process, but knowing the "why" behind it is what truly matters. By understanding the key difference in analytics, DM management, and profile display options, you can confidently choose the account type that aligns with your goals and gives you features tailored to how you actually use the platform.

Speaking of tools that align with how you work, one common headache after switching is reconnecting your social media scheduler and other platforms. We know how tedious that becomes, which is why we built Postbase to maintain a rock-solid, stable connection with your accounts so you don't face constant interruptions. Once you've settled into your new Creator account and are ready to visually plan and schedule your Reels and Stories without fighting your software, we help make that process feel seamless.