How to Create an Instagram Account from Scratch

Instagram has evolved into one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide, boasting over a billion active users. Whether you’re starting a personal account or creating one for your business or brand, setting up an Instagram account from scratch is simple and only takes a few minutes. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process, step by step, and share some tips to optimize your profile for success.

Step 1: Download the Instagram App

To create an Instagram account, you’ll need to start by downloading the app. Instagram is available on both iOS and Android devices. Follow these steps to get started:

1. iOS users: Open the App Store on your device, type Instagram into the search bar, and hit the download button.
2. Android users: Open the Google Play Store, search for Instagram, and click Install.

Once the app has been installed, open it by tapping on the Instagram icon on your phone’s home screen.

Step 2: Sign Up for an Account

Upon launching the app, you’ll see a welcome screen with two options: Log In and Sign Up. Since we are starting from scratch, click on the Sign Up option to create a new account.

You can sign up in one of three ways:

• With an Email Address
• With a Phone Number
• Using a Facebook Account

Here’s how to proceed with each option:

Sign Up Using an Email Address or Phone Number

1. Select Sign Up with Email or Phone Number.
2. Choose whether to enter an email address or a phone number (make sure you have access to whichever one you use).
3. Enter the required information and click Next.
4. You will receive a verification code either by email or text message. Enter this code into the app to verify your account.

Sign Up Using Facebook

1. If you prefer to sign up with your Facebook account, choose Log in with Facebook.
2. A pop-up will ask for your Facebook login credentials (if you’re not already logged in on Facebook).
3. Instagram will pull your profile information from Facebook, and you’ll be able to proceed without needing to fill in basic details.

Step 3: Create a Username and Password

Once your email or phone number is verified (or Facebook linked), Instagram will prompt you to create a username and a password for your new account. Your username is how others will identify you on Instagram, so it’s important to choose one that reflects your brand or identity.

Here are a few tips for creating a good username:

• Keep it short and easy to remember.
• Avoid using too many numbers or special characters.
• If your preferred username is taken, Instagram will suggest alternatives, or you can add periods or underscores (e.g., john_doe instead of johndoe).

After choosing a username, create a strong password. Ensure it’s a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols to make it secure.

Step 4: Complete Your Profile

Your Instagram profile is the first thing people will see when they visit your account. It’s important to fill it out with as much relevant information as possible to make a great first impression.

Add a Profile Picture

You’ll want to upload a profile picture to help others recognize you. Click on the Add Photo button, which allows you to either:

• Import from Facebook (if you signed up with Facebook),
• Upload from your device’s gallery, or
• Take a new picture using your phone’s camera.

For personal accounts, a clear headshot is a good option. For business or brand accounts, using a logo ensures your brand is instantly recognizable.

Write a Bio

Your bio is a short description that appears under your profile picture and username. You have 150 characters to introduce yourself or your brand, so make it count. Here are some tips for crafting an effective bio:

• Briefly explain who you are or what your brand represents.
• Use keywords that are relevant to your niche or industry.
• Include a call to action if necessary (e.g., “DM for inquiries” or “Visit our website”).

Add a Website Link

If you have a website, blog, or portfolio, be sure to include it in your profile. Instagram allows you to add one clickable link to your bio, so choose carefully. This can be your homepage, a link to your shop, or even a recent article or promotion.

Step 5: Find Friends or Followers

Once your account is set up, Instagram will prompt you to connect with friends or follow suggested accounts. You can do this in a few ways:

• Connect to Facebook: Instagram will suggest your Facebook friends who are also on Instagram.
• Sync Your Contacts: You can give Instagram access to your phone’s contacts and find people you know who are on the platform.
• Search by Username: You can manually search for friends, celebrities, brands, or influencers by typing their username into the search bar.

If you’re creating a business account, you may want to skip this step and focus on gaining followers from your target audience instead.

Step 6: Set Your Account to Private or Public

By default, Instagram accounts are public, meaning anyone can see your photos, videos, and stories. If you prefer to keep your account private, where only approved followers can see your posts, follow these steps:

1. Go to your profile by clicking the person icon at the bottom right of the screen.
2. Tap the three lines (menu icon) in the top right corner.
3. Select Settings > Privacy.
4. Toggle on Private Account.

For business or influencer accounts, it’s recommended to keep your account public to reach a wider audience.

Step 7: Customize Account Settings

There are a variety of settings you can customize for a more personalized Instagram experience. Here are a few important ones to consider:

Notifications

You can control which notifications you receive. For example, you might want to turn on notifications for likes and comments, but turn off notifications for followers. You can do this by going to:

• Settings > Notifications and adjusting as needed.

Account Switching

If you’re managing multiple Instagram accounts, you can easily switch between them without logging in and out each time. To add another account, go to:

• Settings > Add Account, and enter the login details of your second account.

Two-Factor Authentication

For added security, you can enable two-factor authentication (2FA). This ensures that anyone trying to log into your account will need a verification code sent to your phone in addition to your password. Enable 2FA by going to:

• Settings > Security > Two-Factor Authentication, and follow the steps to set it up.

Step 8: Post Your First Photo or Video

Now that your account is set up, it’s time to start sharing content. Instagram allows you to post:

• Photos: From your gallery or taken in real-time.
• Videos: Up to 60 seconds long.
• Stories: 24-hour content in the form of photos or videos.
• Reels: Short, engaging videos.

To post, simply tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the screen, choose what type of content you’d like to share, and follow the on-screen instructions. You can also add captions, hashtags, and tag other users to increase engagement.

Step 9: Explore and Engage

Now that you’ve posted content, it’s time to engage with the Instagram community. Here’s how:

• Follow accounts that interest you to fill your feed with relevant content.
• Like, comment, and share other users’ posts to build connections.
• Use hashtags to help others find your content.
• Explore the Explore Page: Tap the magnifying glass icon to find new content tailored to your interests.

Conclusion

Creating an Instagram account from scratch is easy and quick, but optimizing your profile and building a solid presence takes time and effort. Be sure to post consistently, engage with your followers, and use Instagram’s various tools like Stories, Reels, and IGTV to diversify your content.