ANSWERS & INSIGHTS

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most commonly asked questions by creators on Instagram, all in one place.

A creator wearing a blue beanie and checking her phone.
ACCOUNT

Latest Account questions

How do I get verified?

Request verification in the app and we'll review your account. Pro tip: there isn’t a certain follower count or virality, each account is reviewed holistically.

What's the best time to post?

When your audience is awake and most active. Use your insights to understand their habits.

How and why should I use Instagram Guides?

To help you curate and inspire your followers around a topic or theme.

STAY SAFE

How to stay safe and well on Instagram

What should I do if my account gets hacked?

First, don’t panic. Then, take simple steps to secure your account. All you need to know is in the Help Center.

What should I do if someone might be contemplating suicide or self harm?

If there is immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise we’ve put together a list of helpful actions you can take.

What should I do if someone is asking or threatening me to share photos or videos I want to keep private?

This is unacceptable and you should hold them accountable. Report them to law enforcement, to Instagram and/or block them.

CREATE

Your questions answered

How to reply to a comment with a Reel?

Simply tap reply on any comment left on one of your reels and then tap the camera icon. You’ll see the comment appear as a sticker that you can use in a reel that you record or upload from your camera roll.

How do I use sound and audio features on Reels?

You can use the Text to Speech and Voice Effect features.

Where will my video appear on Instagram?

When you share a video on Instagram, a preview of it will appear in Feed. The full video will be visible from Feed, your profile grid and profile video tab.

Who can see my videos?

The visibility of your videos depends on your account’s privacy settings.

How do I remove a video preview from my profile grid?

If you previously shared a video, you can remove the preview from your profile grid. If you want to re-add the preview, you’ll need to re-upload your video.

Can I answer questions from my Instagram Story in a live Q&A?

Yes, you and your followers can type live Q&As from your Story. We’ll show you how.

Can I archive Live videos?

Yes, Live videos you share on Instagram are automatically saved to your Archive, where you can access them for up to 30 days.

How do I report a live stream?

Tap the 3 dots next to “Comment” at the bottom of the broadcast, then tap “Report” or “Report Inappropriate.”

How can I control who can reply to my Stories?

You can control who's able to reply to your story. It’s possible in a few taps.

How can I make Stories highlights work for my brand?

Use the highlight tool in Stories to help show viewers what they’re really wanting to see.

How can I find out how many likes, comments, shares and saves my Story got?

Simply tap your profile picture at the top of your Feed or Profile, then swipe up on your Story image or video.

Why doesn’t Instagram go back to the chronological Feed?

Since switching to a ranked feed, the average post is now seen by 50% more followers than it did with the chronological model.

Does feed ranking favor videos over photos?

Your Feed is customized for you, so it really depends on how you use Instagram. If you consistently watch a lot of videos, that will be reflected in your Feed.

If posts get a lot of reactions in the first 30 minutes are they ranked higher?

No, we can confirm this isn’t true!

EARN MONEY

Earning on Instagram

How do I become eligible to use monetization & promotional tools?

You'll need to comply with a set of rules, Instagram Partner Monetization Policies.

How do I begin selling my products?

Before you start, make sure you’re eligible. Assuming you are, read on to follow our step-by-step guide that will have you set up fast.

How do I learn more about Instagram’s monetization features?

There are too many to list here, click below to discover them all and how you can put them into action.

What if my business partner doesn't appear in search results when I try to add them as a brand partner?

Ask your business partner to be approved or select “Send Request” when prompted after you attempt to tag your business partner.

Do I need to use the Paid Partnership label for things like free trips or gifted product?

Yes, anything received from business partners counts, whether it be money or otherwise.

How can I enable brands to promote my posts?

You need to give permission before businesses will see the option to promote your branded content posts. Then there are a few steps to follow.

How many badges can supporters purchase?

They can buy as many badges as they like, for up to USD $250 per live video.

When can I expect my first paycheck from badges in Live?

Once you’ve earned at least $100, you’ll get paid. Then depending on your bank, payments can take between 1-7 business days to arrive.

Is there a transaction fee when you buy a Badge?

Google and Apple deduct 30% of all in-app purchases in fees. Currently Instagram receives no portion of the fees.

How do I tag products?

Shopping tags can be added to Instagram Reels, Stories, image and video posts.

How do I link my creator account to an existing shop profile?

Use Shopping Partner Permissions to link a business account to your creator account. This will display a “View Shop” button on your profile and allow you to tag products on behalf of the shop.

How will I get paid for my subscriptions?

Creators should expect to see their payouts for subscriptions on the 21st of the following month. This will align subscription payouts with all other user pay product payouts.

For example, payouts for earnings in the month of March will be paid out on April 21st.

Is this product the same as Facebook Subscriptions?

While the Instagram and Facebook products currently offer some similar features (for example, subscriber Lives), each platform separately offers unique features.

Can I change the price of my subscriptions after I set it up?

You can change the price of your subscription and more within the subscriptions settings menu.

WHERE TO NEXT

Still have questions?

Check out the Help Center for more answers.