How to Change a Creator Account to Private on Instagram

So, you’ve built your brand on Instagram, amassed a following, and shared your creative spark with the world through a Creator Account. But now, life changes. Maybe you’re taking a break, pivoting your content, or simply craving a little privacy. Whatever the reason, you’re wondering, “How do I make my Creator Account private?” Here’s the straightforward answer: You can’t directly make a Creator Account private. Instagram doesn’t allow it. However, there’s a clear and simple workaround: You need to switch back to a Personal Account first, and then you can toggle the privacy setting. Let’s break down the exact steps:

1. Navigate to your Profile: Open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner to access your profile page.
2. Access the Menu: Tap the three horizontal lines (the “hamburger menu”) in the top right corner of your profile.
3. Go to Settings and Privacy: In the menu that appears, tap on “Settings and Privacy”.
4. Find Account Type and Tools: Scroll down (you might have to scroll a ways!) until you find the section labeled “For Professionals”. Underneath it, tap on “Account type and tools.”
5. Switch Account Type: Choose “Switch account type”.
6. Switch to Personal Account: Select “Switch to Personal Account”. Instagram will likely give you a warning pop-up explaining that you’ll lose insights and professional tools. Confirm your decision by tapping “Switch to Personal Account”.
7. Go to Account Privacy: Now that you’re back on a Personal Account, go back to the “Settings and Privacy” menu.
8. Find Account Privacy: Scroll down until you find the “Who can see your content” section. Then tap on “Account privacy”.
9. Toggle Private Account: Finally, toggle the switch next to “Private account” to the “on” position. Confirm your choice.

That’s it! Your account is now private. Only people you approve will be able to see your posts, stories, and Reels. Now, let’s dive deeper into some frequently asked questions to give you a more comprehensive understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why Can’t I Make My Creator Account Directly Private?

Instagram’s Creator Accounts are designed for public figures, influencers, and content creators who want to build an audience and track their performance. These accounts are inherently public to maximize reach and engagement. The built-in analytics, promotion tools, and contact options are all geared toward public visibility. Private accounts are designed for personal use and limiting your visibility to a pre-approved audience.

2. What Happens When I Switch From a Creator Account to a Personal Account?

When you switch from a Creator Account to a Personal Account, you lose access to several features, including:

• Insights and Analytics: You’ll no longer be able to track your post performance, audience demographics, or profile visits.
• Promotion Tools: You won’t be able to run ads or boost your posts from within the Instagram app.
• Contact Buttons: The contact buttons (e.g., “Email,” “Call”) that allow people to easily reach you will disappear.
• Category Label: Your profile’s category label (e.g., “Artist,” “Photographer”) will be removed.
• Branded Content Tools: You won’t be able to use branded content tools for partnerships.

Basically, you’re stepping away from the professional toolset and going back to a more basic user experience.

3. Will I Lose My Followers When I Switch to a Private Account?

No, you will not lose your existing followers when you switch to a Private Account. They will still be following you, but they will need to be approved if you have not approved them already. All new followers will need to be manually approved by you. Anyone not approved will no longer be able to see your posts, stories, or Reels until you approve them.

4. Can People Still Search for My Account When It’s Private?

Yes, people can still search for your account by your username or name, even when it’s set to Private. However, they won’t be able to see your posts, stories, or Reels unless they are approved followers. When they visit your profile, they will see a message that says, “This account is private.”

5. How Do I Approve or Deny Follow Requests on a Private Account?

When someone requests to follow your Private Account, you’ll receive a notification. You can approve or deny the request by:

• Tapping the Notification: Tap the notification to go directly to the follow request.
• Going to Your Follower Requests: Go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three lines), and select “Follow and invite friends”. From there, select “Follow requests”.

You’ll see a list of pending requests. Tap “Confirm” to approve the request or “Delete” to deny it.

6. Can I Make My Account Private Temporarily?

Yes, you can make your account Private temporarily. Simply follow the steps outlined above to switch to a Personal Account and then toggle the Privacy setting. When you’re ready to go public again, reverse the process.

7. What Happens to My Past Posts When I Make My Account Private?

When you make your account Private, all your past posts, stories, and Reels become visible only to your approved followers. People who are not following you (or who haven’t been approved) will no longer be able to see your content. This includes content that was previously shared publicly.

8. Can I Still Tag People in My Posts When My Account is Private?

Yes, you can still tag people in your posts when your account is Private. However, only your approved followers will be able to see the tagged post. The person you tag will receive a notification that they were tagged, but they will only be able to see the post if they are also following you and have been approved.

9. Will My Profile Show Up in the “Explore” Tab When It’s Private?

No, your profile and posts will not appear in the “Explore” tab when your account is Private. The “Explore” tab showcases public content from accounts that users might find interesting. Because your content is restricted to approved followers, it won’t be eligible for display in the “Explore” tab.

10. If I Switch Back to a Creator Account, Will My Account Automatically Become Public Again?

Yes, if you switch back to a Creator Account, your account will automatically become public again. This is because Creator Accounts are inherently designed for public visibility and engagement. You’ll need to switch back to a Personal Account and re-enable the privacy setting if you want to maintain a Private Account.

11. What’s the Difference Between a Private Account and Blocking Someone?

Making your account Private restricts access to your content to only approved followers. Blocking someone, on the other hand, completely prevents them from seeing your profile, posts, stories, or Reels. They won’t even be able to search for your account on Instagram. Blocking is a much more definitive action than simply making your account Private.

12. Can I Download My Instagram Data Before Switching to a Private Account?

Yes, you can download a copy of your Instagram data before switching to a Private Account. This is a good idea if you want to preserve your posts, stories, and other information. To download your data:

1. Go to your profile and tap the menu icon (three lines).
2. Select “Settings and Privacy”.
3. Type “Download your information” and select it.
4. Choose the format you want the data in (HTML or JSON).
5. Request the download. Instagram will email you a link to download your data.

Remember that switching from a Creator Account to a Private Account involves a trade-off between reach and privacy. Carefully consider your goals before making the change, and be sure to weigh the benefits of each account type. The best strategy depends entirely on your individual needs and aspirations on the platform.