Switching Instagram to a professional account: the steps, business versus creator
How to switch Instagram from personal to professional (business or creator) step by step, what changes, which suits a shop, how to switch back, and why it is needed for bots and auto-replies.
The ArabyBot teamOfficial Meta partner · written from our own platform dataOn this page 4
The short answer
From your Instagram profile open the menu, then settings, and look for «Account type and tools» then «Switch to professional account»; pick your business category, then «Business» or «Creator», and complete the contact details. Switching is free and you keep your followers and posts. For a shop choose «Business»: contact buttons, insights and ads, and it can be linked to a Facebook page so auto-reply and comment tools work on it.
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The steps
- Open settings
From your Instagram profile tap the menu at the top, then settings.
- Switch to professional
Look for «Account type and tools» then «Switch to professional account». Instagram sometimes renames menus, so if you cannot find it, type “professional” in the settings search.
- Pick the category
Pick a category describing your business, such as a clothing shop or a restaurant; you can show it on the profile or hide it.
- Business or creator
For a shop or business pick «Business»; for someone creating content and working with brands pick «Creator».
- Contact details and linking
Add a number, email or address so the contact button shows, then link the account to a Facebook page if you want ads and reply tools. Linking Instagram to a Facebook page.
Personal, business and creator
| Personal | Business | Creator | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insights | No | Yes | Yes |
| Contact buttons | No | Yes | Yes |
| Ads and promotion | No | Yes | Yes |
| Private account | Possible | No | No |
| Best for | Personal use | Shops and businesses | Content creators |
Why auto-replies need it
Tools that answer Instagram messages and comments, from Meta's own to ArabyBot, work on a professional account linked to a Facebook page. Once that is done the account shows on the page's card in ArabyBot, and the AI agent answers messages and comments and sends commenters a private message. Connecting Facebook and Instagram to ArabyBot and Instagram DM auto-replies.
Frequently asked questions
Do I lose followers if I switch to professional?
No; followers, posts and messages stay as they are, and business features such as buttons and insights are added.
Can a professional account be private?
No; a professional account is public, so if you want a private account switch back to personal.
How do I switch back from professional to personal?
From the same place in settings: «Account type and tools», then switch to a personal account. Insights and business tools stop, and auto-reply and comment tools no longer work on it.
Does auto-reply work on a creator account?
Reply tools need a professional account linked to a Facebook page. For a shop we recommend a «Business» account, which suits selling and ads best. Linking Instagram to a Facebook page.
How we write these guides Figures come from our platform and Meta's actual invoices, dated with their sample; we describe what works today, not what we plan, and say what we do not do and when someone else is the better choice. Reviewed by the ArabyBot team on 21 October 2026.
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