How to Switch Back to a Personal Instagram Account (2022): Your Complete Guide

Want to ditch the business side of Instagram and return to a simpler, more personal online presence? Switching back to a personal Instagram account in 2022 is a straightforward process. Simply navigate to Settings > Account > Switch Account Type > Switch to Personal Account. Confirm your decision, and you’re done! Now, let’s dive into the “why” and “how” with a detailed exploration, covering everything from the benefits to potential drawbacks.

Understanding the Different Instagram Account Types

Before we delve into the switching process, let’s clarify the landscape of Instagram account types. Understanding the differences is key to making the right decision for your needs. There are essentially three main types:

• Personal Account: This is the default and most basic account type. It’s designed for individual users who want to share photos and videos with friends and family. It offers standard features like following, liking, commenting, and direct messaging.

• Business Account: Tailored for businesses, brands, and influencers, this account type unlocks advanced features like Instagram Insights (analytics on follower demographics and post performance), the ability to run ads, add contact buttons (email, phone, address), and schedule posts through third-party apps.

• Creator Account: Positioned between Personal and Business, Creator accounts are geared towards content creators, influencers, and public figures. They provide similar analytics to Business accounts but offer more flexibility in profile categorization and direct messaging management.

Why Switch Back to a Personal Account?

While Business and Creator accounts offer tempting features, they might not be the right fit for everyone. Here are some common reasons why users opt to switch back to a personal account:

• Privacy Concerns: Business accounts, by default, make your contact information publicly visible. If you value your privacy and prefer not to display your email or phone number, switching back to personal is a good move.

• Reduced Pressure for Performance: The analytics available with Business and Creator accounts can be a double-edged sword. While they provide valuable data, they can also lead to constant pressure to improve engagement and performance, which can be stressful for some users.

• Simplified Experience: Personal accounts offer a cleaner, less cluttered interface. Some users find the additional features of Business and Creator accounts unnecessary and prefer a more streamlined experience.

• Personal Brand Shift: If you’re pivoting away from a business or influencer-focused persona and want to present a more casual, personal image, switching account types aligns with that change.

Step-by-Step Guide: Switching to a Personal Account

The process itself is simple, but let’s break it down for clarity:

1. Open the Instagram App: Launch the Instagram app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Navigate to Your Profile: Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the screen.
3. Access the Menu: Tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner.
4. Open Settings: Scroll down and tap on “Settings.”
5. Go to Account: Find and tap on the “Account” option.
6. Select “Switch Account Type”: Scroll down and look for the “Switch Account Type” option.
7. Choose “Switch to Personal Account”: Tap on “Switch to Personal Account.”
8. Confirm Your Decision: Instagram will display a pop-up asking you to confirm your choice. Tap “Switch to Personal Account” again to confirm.

That’s it! Your account is now switched back to a personal account.

Important Considerations Before Switching

Before you take the plunge, keep these points in mind:

• Loss of Insights: You will lose access to Instagram Insights and other analytics data related to your Business or Creator account activity. This data is not recoverable once you switch. Consider downloading or screenshotting any important data before switching.

• Loss of Contact Buttons: Contact buttons like email, phone number, and address will be removed from your profile.

• Third-Party Scheduling: You will no longer be able to schedule posts directly through third-party apps unless you reconnect them to a Business or Creator account.

• Advertising Capabilities: You will no longer be able to run Instagram ads directly from your account.

• Potential Follower Perception: While less common, some followers who initially followed you for your business content might unfollow you if you switch to a personal account.

FAQs: Switching Back to a Personal Instagram Account

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process and address common concerns:

1. Will I lose my followers if I switch to a personal account?

No, you will not lose your followers when switching back to a personal account. Your followers will remain the same.

2. Can I switch back to a Business or Creator account later?

Yes, you can switch back to a Business or Creator account at any time, following the same steps but choosing the appropriate option.

3. Does switching affect my ability to tag products in my posts?

Yes, you will lose the ability to tag products in your posts if you switch back to a personal account. This feature is exclusive to Business accounts.

4. Will switching back to a personal account affect my privacy settings?

Switching back to a personal account can enhance your privacy, especially if you had your contact information displayed publicly as a Business account. However, you should always review and adjust your privacy settings to your liking.

5. I can’t find the “Switch to Personal Account” option. Why?

The most likely reason is that you are already using a personal account. The option only appears if you currently have a Business or Creator account.

6. Will I get a notification when someone switches to a personal account?

No, Instagram does not send notifications when someone switches their account type.

7. How does switching affect my ability to use Instagram Shopping?

You will not be able to use Instagram Shopping features like creating a shop or selling products directly through the platform if you switch to a personal account.

8. Will switching affect my post reach?

There is no concrete evidence that switching account types directly impacts post reach. However, your engagement might change based on the type of content you post. Switching to a personal account and posting more personal content might resonate with your existing audience, while others might find it less appealing.

9. Is there a limit to how many times I can switch account types?

No, there is no official limit to how many times you can switch between account types on Instagram.

10. Can I schedule posts with a personal account?

No, you cannot directly schedule posts within the Instagram app with a personal account. You need a Business or Creator account to utilize native scheduling features or third-party scheduling tools.

11. Will my profile still be verified if I switch back to a personal account?

If you have a verified badge, it might be removed if you switch to a personal account, particularly if the verification was based on your business or brand status. You will likely need to re-apply for verification.

12. Does switching affect my ability to promote posts?

You will not be able to promote posts (run paid ads) directly from your personal account. Paid promotions are a feature of Business accounts.

Final Thoughts

Switching back to a personal Instagram account can be a liberating experience, offering a return to a simpler, more private online presence. Weigh the pros and cons carefully, considering your specific needs and goals. Remember to back up any valuable data from your Business or Creator account before making the switch. By understanding the implications, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your desired Instagram experience.