Instagram Guides is one of the newest features launched by the app. It may have slipped under your radar with Instagram Live, Shops, Reels, a rearranged home screen, and a slew of other features launched in 2020.
Luckily, putting things on your radar is exactly what Instagram Guides are for. Actually, if you want to stay on top of Instagram marketing tips and updates, Here is a guide for that.
If you’re here just to learn about Instagram Guides, it’s everything you need to know—only in blog format. Learn how to create Instagram Guides, how you should use them for your business, and more.
What are Instagram Guides?
Instagram Guides are a mixture of Instagram carousels and blog posts. They can be created using pre-published posts, places, or product listings from the creator’s account or public accounts. Every guide includes a cover image, title, introduction, and optional descriptions for entries.
Source: Instagram
The initial inspiration for Guides was travel. However, with worldwide travel bans in place, Instagram decided to launch the feature in May 2020 with a wellness theme. In November, Instagram expanded the feature for all users and topics.
Right when created, Guides appear in a dedicated tab on a person’s or brand’s profile and can be shared in Stories or direct messages. You can edit, add, or remove entries as the account you want.
How to use Instagram Guides
New to creating Instagram Guides? Follow these steps to create Guides with posts, products, or locations.
The way to create an Instagram Guide with posts
1. From your profile, click on the plus symbol in the upper right corner.
2. Choose Guide.
3. Tap Posts.
4. Select a post from your feed or a saved post published by different public accounts.
5. Tap Next.
6. Add your guide title and description. If you want to use a unique cover photo, faucet Change Cowl Picture.
7. Double check the prepopulated place title, and edit as needed. If you want, add a description.
8. Tap Add Place and repeat steps 4–8 until your guide is complete.
9. Tap Next in the upper right corner.
10. Tap Share.
The way to create an Instagram Guide with products
1. From your profile, click the plus symbol in the upper right corner.
2. Choose Guide.
3. Tap Products.
4. Search by account for the product listing you’d like to add. If you’ve saved the product to your wishlist, you will discover it there also.
5. Choose the product you’d like to add and tap Next. You’ll be able to select to include multiple posts for a single entry if available. They will be displayed like a carousel.
6. Add your guide title and description. If you would like to use a different cover photo, choose Change Cover Photo.
7. Double check the prepopulated place name, and edit as needed. If you want, add a description.
8. Tap Add Products and repeat steps 4–8 until your guide is complete.
9. Tap Next in the upper right corner.
10. Tap Share.
How to create an Instagram Guide with places
1. Click on the plus symbol in the upper right corner of your profile
2. Choose Guide.
3. Tap Places.
4. Search for a place by geotagging, in your saved folder, or use one of your pre-published posts. If you search by geotagging, choose the post you want to include.
5. Once you’ve selected a post, click on Next.
6. Add your guide title and description. If you want to make use of a different cover photo, tap Change Cover Photo.
7. Double check the prepopulated place name, and edit as wanted. If you want, add a description.
8. Click Add Place and repeat steps 4–8 until your guide is complete.
9. Choose Next in the upper right corner.
10. Tap Share.
Tip: If you would like to add specific images in a place guide, create a folder for them first. For this to work, you should add geotags to these posts.