How to make your account not private on instagram

How to Change an Instagram Profile From Private to Public | Small Business

By Ashley Donohoe Updated January 19, 2021

When you made an Instagram profile to showcase your company or interact with other professionals in your field, you may have initially opted for a personal account that you can choose to make private or public. While having an Instagram private account offers some security benefits, you might prefer to go public to make your content accessible to more users. Fortunately, Instagram makes it easy to switch your account from private to public. You also have the option to switch to a professional public account that can provide you with marketing and analytical tools.

Comparing Instagram Account Types

Instagram offers both personal and professional accounts, and the privacy options and account features differ for these types.

MailUp mentions that some businesses might forego the professional account since it doesn't have a private option. Instead, they might prefer a personal Instagram account and make it private to protect their privacy, reduce spam and filter followers. However, Instagram public professional accounts include extras such as a contact button, permissions for others to help manage the account, and marketing analytical tools that aren't available for personal accounts.

While public accounts of any type are visible to any non-blocked user and make it easy to reach a large audience, private accounts require a follower request to view. Instagram warns some private posts can still be spread around the web since followers might take a screenshot or download the images and post them online for others to see.

Changing Your Profile to Public

To change your personal Instagram private account to public, Instagram advises you to use either the Instagram website or app. If you have multiple Instagram accounts for your work, be sure to switch to the right one before proceeding with the following steps based on your device:

Instagram mobile website: Go to your profile tab and click the gear icon on the top of the page. Go to "Privacy and Security" and uncheck the "Private Account" box.

Instagram mobile app: As with the mobile website, go to your profile tab but proceed by selecting the "Settings" option from the hamburger menu on the top of the app screen. The "Settings" option brings up a list of options where you'll see one for "Privacy." You can then clear the "Private Account" box.

Instagram desktop website: Click your profile image on the top of the page to show the "Settings" option. Go to the "Privacy and Security" option to find the "Private Account" check box and clear it.

Regardless of which device you use, you'll see a confirmation message in which you need to OK the change to make your Instagram account public. Keep in mind that you can go back to the same check box at any time to set a personal account to private again if you change your mind.

Upgrading to a Professional Account

If you want to move forward with a professional Instagram account, select the "Account" option from the "Settings" in the Instagram app; this feature isn't available through the mobile or desktop website. You'll find an option there to set up or switch to a professional account. If you proceed, you can expect to walk through several steps for filling out your new business profile and linking it to your Facebook page if you have one.

Viewing an Instagram Private Account

If you're on the other side as a user who wants to view someone's private account, Business Insider notes that the easiest option is to use the profile's "Follow" button to send a request to get access. Other options include running a search for the person's Instagram account name to see if any photos have been posted elsewhere or have someone you know who is a follower show you the post.

While you might see a website or app that claims to be a private Instagram viewer, beware of using such a tool. Upleap warns that a private Instagram profile viewer might be a scam that steals your information or infects your device. Even if you gain access to the private profile with one of these services, the images may be low quality or blurry.

References

Instagram: About Professional Accounts
Instagram: How Do I Set My Instagram Account to Private So That Only Approved Followers Can See What I Share?
Instagram: Privacy Settings & Information
MailUp: Good and Bad Things About Using a Private Instagram Account for Branding
Business Insider: How to View a Private Instagram Account in a Few Different Ways – Though the Best Way Is to Just Send a Follow Request
Upleap: Should You Use a Private Instagram Viewer?
Instagram: Set Up a Business Account on Instagram

Writer Bio

Ashley Donohoe started writing professionally online in 2010. Having a Master of Business Administration degree and experience running a small business, she is knowledgeable in the issues and decisions that small business owners face. Other places featuring her business writing include JobHero, LoveToKnow, Bizfluent, PocketSense and Study.com.

How to Make Your Instagram Public on Desktop and Mobile

You can make your private Instagram account public at any time using the Instagram app or website.
Making your Instagram public will mean anyone who visits your account will be able to view all of your photos and Instagram stories.
Should you change your mind, you can always revert your account to private, though anyone who is following you will still be able to see your photos.
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

While it makes sense for influencers, celebrities, and brands to have public Instagram accounts, for many people who are just on the social media app to keep up with friends and family and share snapshots from their daily lives, a private account might be a better option.

A private account ensures that only people you choose can see the photos and Instagram stories you post, keeping details of your personal life out of the wrong hands.

However, if you do decide that you want to make your private Instagram account public, doing so is a simple and straightforward process that can be completed via both the Instagram app and the website. Here's how to do it.

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How to make your Instagram public using the app

1. From your iPhone or Android home screen, locate and tap the Instagram app icon to open it.

2. Locate the profile icon on the far-right side of the toolbar running across the bottom of your screen and tap it to be taken to your profile page.

3. In the upper-right hand corner of your profile page, tap the three horizontally stacked lines, then tap "Settings."

Tap "Settings" from the list. Jennifer Still/Business Insider

4. Tap "Privacy."

5. Under "Connections," locate and tap the "Account privacy" option.

Tap "Account privacy." Jennifer Still/Business Insider

6. On the "Account privacy" screen, slide the "Private account" toggle button to the left, which will turn the lever gray and make your account public.

7. From the pop-up box that appears, click "Change" to confirm that you want to make your account public.

Click the blue "Change" text to make your account public.

Jennifer Still/Business Insider

How to make your Instagram public using the website

1. Log into the Instagram website with your username and password on your Mac or PC.

2. Click the small profile icon in the upper-right hand corner of the screen to be taken to your profile page. The icon looks like the outline of a person's head and shoulders.

3. On your profile page, click the small gear icon next to the "Edit Profile" button to launch the Settings menu.

4. Click on "Privacy and Security."

Click "Privacy and Security" from the list.

Jennifer Still/Business Insider

5. Under the "Account Privacy" header, uncheck the box next to "Private Account."

Uncheck the box to make your profile public. Jennifer Still/Business Insider

6. From the pop-up that appears, click "Okay" to confirm your desire to make your profile public.

Click "Okay" to officially change your profile to public. Jennifer Still/Business Insider

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Jennifer Still

Jennifer is a writer and editor from Brooklyn, New York, who spends her time traveling, drinking iced coffee, and watching way too much TV. She has bylines in Vanity Fair, Glamour, Decider, Mic, and many more. You can find her on Twitter at @jenniferlstill.

How to close an Instagram profile from outsiders

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By default, each registered account on the Instagram social network is open to all users. Any owner of an Instagram page can view posts and Stories, send private messages and leave comments. For those who do not like publicity, it is possible to hide their publications from outsiders.

Why restrict access to your Instagram account
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In what cases it is necessary to close the profile on Instagram

In some cases, it becomes necessary to block annoying visitors so that they cannot interact with the owner of the Instagram account. Privacy settings allow you to restrict access to the profile to unwanted interlocutors, spammers and scammers. Also, such a decision may be due to the desire to hide their activity from a certain circle of people.

After activating a private Instagram profile, new followers will need to request permission to follow and view posts. Approve the application from each specific follower or reject, the creator of the account will decide. If a particular subscriber is undesirable, it can be removed using the option of the same name.

If you use Instagram through the official mobile application, the procedure is as follows:

Log in to Instagram with your username and click on the avatar icon located in the lower right corner.
Click on the three-bar icon at the top of the screen.
In the pop-up menu, you must select the "Settings" item (on iOS devices it is called "Settings").
On the new page, you will need to go to the "Privacy" section.
In the "Closed account" line, you must turn the switch to the active position.
To confirm, click on the "Make private" button.

After enabling this option, only existing followers, as well as those who have received appropriate approval from the account owner, will have access to visiting the page on Instagram. If a particular subscriber annoys with insults or unwanted communication, it is enough to add him to the so-called "black list".

To do this, you need to visit the profile of the ill-wisher and click on the ellipsis symbol at the top of the screen. After that, a list of functions will be displayed in which you will need to select the “Block” item. As a result, a window will appear with a warning that this user will no longer be able to write to you in Instagram Direct, view posts and Stories. This window will ask you to confirm the blocking of the user.

The procedure for activating a closed account on the desktop version of Instagram consists of the following steps:

Go to the official Instagram website and log in to your account.
In the upper corner, click on your avatar image.
After that, a menu will open in which you will need to click on the "Settings" button.
Next, you will need to go to the "Privacy and Security" tab.
It remains to tick the box "Closed account" to restrict access to outsiders.

If you make your Instagram profile private, then new followers will have to send a subscription request to the account owner. The corresponding requests will appear in the "Actions" tab located on the bottom panel.

Applications can be approved or ignored at your discretion. In order to allow access to publications for a specific subscriber, you will need to click on the "Confirm" button located opposite the profile picture.

To return the ability to see your posts on Instagram to strangers, you need to follow the reverse procedure. To do this, in the Instagram profile settings, you need to go to the "Privacy" section. Then uncheck the box next to the "Closed account" line, turning your account into a public one.

A warning will appear on the screen that the privacy settings have changed, and now all users will be able to visit the page without the approval of the creator. Here you will need to confirm your action by clicking on the "OK" button.

For a business account on Instagram, switching to a closed profile type is inappropriate, since such an action is guaranteed to lead to the loss of some of the existing followers. In addition, this feature is only available for personal accounts. It is important to understand that Instagram is characterized by an engaged audience that actively engages with business account holders.

Potential customers will want to familiarize themselves with the assortment of the promoted brand. This will not be possible if the creator restricts entry to interested users.

This feature will be useful in cases where there is a desire to protect your page from uninvited guests and unfriendly commentators, and make your stay on the Instagram social network more comfortable. After that, only current subscribers will be able to view the published photos, videos and stories. If you do not have the task of promoting your account and gaining more followers, then you may like this solution.

In addition, the "Restrictions" function is available in Instagram, which allows you to get rid of a group of users. After its activation, messages and comments will be hidden from unwanted users (until the account owner approves it).

Please leave your opinions on the current topic of the article. Thank you so much for the comments, dislikes, responses, subscriptions, likes!

Kristina Gorbunovaauthor

How to close an Instagram profile from strangers

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Why restrict access to your Instagram account
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How to close an Instagram account using a computer
How to add or remove followers on a private Instagram profile
How to make it private Instagram profile reopened
How to close a business profile on Instagram
When to close an Instagram profile

If you use Instagram through the official mobile application, the procedure is as follows:

Log in to Instagram with your username and click on the avatar icon located in the lower right corner.
Click on the three-bar icon at the top of the screen.
In the pop-up menu, you must select the "Settings" item (on iOS devices it is called "Settings").
On the new page, you will need to go to the "Privacy" section.
In the "Closed account" line, you need to turn the switch to the active position.
To confirm, click on the "Make private" button.

The procedure for activating a closed account on the desktop version of Instagram consists of the following steps:

Go to the official website of Instagram and log in to your account.
In the upper corner, click on your avatar image.
After that, a menu will open in which you will need to click on the "Settings" button.
Next, you will need to go to the "Privacy and Security" tab.
It remains to tick the box "Closed account" to restrict access to outsiders.

A warning will appear on the screen stating that the privacy settings have changed, and now all users will be able to visit the page without the approval of the creator. Here you will need to confirm your action by clicking on the "OK" button.

For a business account on Instagram, switching to a private profile type is inappropriate, since such an action is guaranteed to lead to the loss of some of the existing followers. In addition, this feature is only available for personal accounts. It is important to understand that Instagram is characterized by an engaged audience that actively engages with business account holders.