IG Business Account vs Personal: Which Do You Need? (2025)
You’ve been posting, tagging, and trying every “growth hack” out there, but your results still feel random. If you’re running a business on Instagram and still using a personal account, you’re holding yourself back.
An IG Business Account vs a Personal Account is the difference between guessing and growing. I’ve seen too many small business owners skip this simple step and wonder why they’re not getting traction. In this guide, I’ll break down exactly which account you need and how to make Instagram finally start working for your business.
Instagram Personal Accounts
If you’re on Instagram just to share life updates, travel photos, or personal moments, a personal account is all you need. It’s the default setup when you first join the platform and is designed for individual use, not business growth.
Personal accounts are simple, easy to manage, and private if you want them to be. But if you’re running a business or trying to build a brand, this setup comes with limits that can hold you back.
Personal Accounts Features
Personal accounts are built for connection, not conversion. They’re perfect for casual use but not for growing a business presence.
Ability to set your profile to private
Access to post, story, and reel creation tools
Full use of filters, tags, and location features
Option to connect with friends and follow other users
Basic post engagement, like likes, comments, and shares
Cons of Personal Accounts
If your goal is to grow visibility, attract customers, or measure what’s working, a personal account simply doesn’t give you the tools to do it.
No access to Instagram Insights, which means you can’t track your performance or audience data
No contact buttons or business information fields for leads or inquiries
Can’t use Instagram Shopping or boost posts to reach a wider audience
No auto-publishing or scheduling features
Limited tools for managing brand collaborations or ads
Instagram Business Accounts
An Instagram Business Account is built for visibility and growth. It’s designed for entrepreneurs, creators, and brands that want to connect with customers, build credibility, and use data to make smarter marketing decisions.
With a Business Account, you unlock professional tools that help you reach more people, promote posts, and track how your content performs. It’s the version of Instagram that treats your profile as a business asset.
Business Accounts Features
A Business Account turns your profile into a marketing tool, helping you measure results, build trust through storytelling, and stay consistent.
Access to Instagram Insights for tracking engagement, reach, and audience demographics
Ability to boost posts and run paid ads directly from the app
Contact buttons (email, call, directions) that make it easy for customers to reach you
Eligibility for Instagram Shopping, letting users browse and buy products without leaving the app
Option to auto-publish content using third-party scheduling tools
Access to professional dashboards for content management and performance tracking
Option to connect your Facebook Page for cross-platform advertising and analytics
Cons of Business Accounts
For small businesses, the benefits almost always outweigh the drawbacks. But you’ll need to approach your content with strategy and consistency to make the most of the tools available.
You can’t set your profile to private
Switching to a Business Account means giving up access to some trending sounds on Reels (PRO TIP: Change your category to Entrepreneur and have access to trending audio. You can choose to hide you category as well.)
Requires more content planning and consistent posting to get results
Your audience may expect higher professionalism and branding consistency
So Which Account Should You Use?
It comes down to what you’re trying to accomplish. If you’re using Instagram to stay connected with friends, post personal updates, or keep things private, a personal account is enough. It’s simple, flexible, and requires no strategy.
But if you’re running a business, or even thinking about turning your presence into a brand, a Business Account is non-negotiable. You’ll gain access to analytics, scheduling tools, and paid promotion options that help you reach more of the right people.
Advantages of a Professional Instagram Account
A professional Instagram account, either Business or Creator, gives you access to tools that make it easier to grow intentionally. These features are built to help you plan smarter and turn engagement into action.
Instagram Insights
This is your built-in data hub. Insights show you who’s engaging, when they’re active, and what type of content performs best. With this information, you can stop guessing and start posting strategically.
Ability To Boost Posts
Have a post that’s performing well? You can boost it directly from the app to reach a wider audience. Paid promotion turns strong organic content into even more visibility without a full ad campaign.
Contact Button and Quick Reply
Your profile becomes a communication tool. Add contact buttons for calls, emails, or directions, and use quick replies to respond faster to inquiries or leads.
Instagram Shopping
If you sell products, Shopping lets followers browse and buy without leaving the app. Tag products directly in your posts or stories for a smooth buying experience that shortens the customer journey.
Auto-Publish Content
A professional account allows you to schedule and automatically publish posts using third-party tools. This saves time, keeps your posting consistent, and helps you stay visible even on your busiest days.
Swipe Up Links On Instagram Stories
With a professional account, you can direct followers to websites, products, or landing pages using link stickers (formerly the “swipe up”). It’s one of the simplest ways to drive traffic and conversions directly from your Stories.
8 Steps to Set Up Your Instagram Business Account
Setting up a Business Account takes just a few minutes, but it sets the stage for long-term growth. Here’s how to do it right from the start:
Step 1: Download the Instagram app
If you’re not already on Instagram, download the app on your phone or log in from your desktop. You’ll need the mobile app for full access to business tools.
Step 2: Create a personal account or use an existing one
You can convert your current account to a Business Account—no need to start from scratch. Just make sure your username and profile reflect your business or brand.
Step 3: Switch to a professional account
Go to your profile, tap Settings and Privacy, select Account Type and Tools, then choose Switch to Professional Account. From there, select Business.
Step 4: Choose your business category
Instagram will prompt you to select a category that best describes your brand—like “Consultant,” “Local Service,” or “Retail.” This helps the platform recommend your content to the right audience. You can choose to not make your category visible.
Step 5: Add your contact information
Include your business email, phone number, and address (if applicable). These appear as contact buttons on your profile, making it easy for potential customers to reach you.
Step 6: Connect to Facebook (optional but recommended)
Linking your Facebook Page lets you manage ads, messages, and cross-platform analytics in one place. It also helps Instagram better understand your business identity.
Step 7: Optimize your business profile
Add a keyword-rich bio that explains who you help and how, update your profile picture, and include a clear call to action. Think of your bio as your elevator pitch.
Step 8: Verify your account (recommended)
Verification adds credibility and protects your brand from impersonation. It’s not required, but it signals professionalism and trust to your audience.
IG Business vs Personal Account: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Instagram business accounts get less views?
No, Instagram business accounts don’t automatically get fewer views. In fact, they often get more visibility because of access to Insights, paid promotions, and strategic tools that help you post when your audience is most active. If your views drop, it’s usually due to inconsistent posting or low engagement, not the account type.
What happens if you switch to a business account on Instagram?
When you switch to a business account, you unlock access to Instagram Insights, ad tools, and features like contact buttons and shopping tags. You won’t lose your followers or content. The only change is that your account becomes public and optimized for business use.
What's the point of a business account on Instagram?
The purpose of a business account is to give brands, creators, and entrepreneurs access to tools that grow their audience strategically. From performance analytics to post boosting and auto-publishing, a business account helps you track results, connect with your audience, and turn followers into customers.
Work with Queen Bee Jackie on an IG Business Strategy
Your Instagram shouldn’t just look good; it should work for you. If you’re ready to use your Instagram Business Account to grow intentionally, let’s build a strategy that turns your profile into a client magnet. It’s time to stop guessing and start growing.
