Wondering if you should lock down access to your Instagram account this year? You‘re not alone. With privacy and security concerns mounting across social media, more users are considering whether restricting profile visibility could be beneficial.
I‘ve helped thousands of people evaluate the implications of private accounts on Instagram. As an online privacy expert, I always lay out the pros and cons in a simple, no-judgment way. My goal is empowering you to make the most informed decision for your needs.
Here‘s a comprehensive walkthrough of what going private means on Instagram, who can benefit, and how to switch your settings if you decide it‘s right. Let‘s dive in!
What Does a Private Account Mean?
If your Instagram profile is set to private, only approved followers can access your content. Your posts, Stories, Reels and live videos will no longer be visible to the wider public.
This means you give up visibility in Instagram‘s public feed via:
- Hashtags
- The Explore page
- Reels
- Live
- Profile recommendations
You also can‘t run advertising campaigns if private. But you gain more control over who engages with your digital space.
Private Profile Usage Statistics
- 15% of surveyed Instagram users have private accounts
- Rates are higher among younger demographics
- Women have slightly higher private account rates than men
Source: Oberlo
Who Benefits From Private Profiles?
While reduced exposure seems counterintuitive for growth, certain Instagrammers stand to gain from increased control and exclusivity.
Everyday Personal Users
Regular people posting casual life updates likely care more about privacy than virality. A private sanctuary for your posts brings peace of mind.
Key Benefits
- Family can connect without publicly broadcasting details
- Share intimate life moments safely
- Students & professionals protect careers
- Influence who interacts with your content
- Reduced risk of harassment or bullying
"I shifted my personal profile to private last year. I grew tired of oversharing publicly and wanted a safer space to connect with close friends." – Sarah D., 27
Influencers & Creators
Established influencers sometimes use private settings to seem more elite and build mystique. Upcoming creators may private accounts to reduce content theft.
Key Benefits
- Manufacture an exclusive VIP area for your biggest fans
- Features like Close Friends let you reward top followers
- Control who sees your content first to create buzz
- Prevent meme or content theft by limiting visibility
- Reduce risk of harmful comments or harassment
"As my account grew, I wanted to limit access as a reward for my loyal supporters who have been with me from the start." Alex T., Lifestyle Influencer
What Does a Private Account Mean For Businesses & Brands?
For companies focused on driving reach, awareness and sales through Instagram, private is rarely the right choice.
Without access to public feeds and hashtag targeting, you severely limit potential impressions and engagement. And you can no longer leverage paid advertising to expand your following.
"We briefly tested a private merchant profile to retain exclusivity around new product launches. But scaling reach is vital for our growth, so we swiftly switched back to public." — Social Media Manager at fashion e-commerce company
Private Profiles vs. Instagram Stories
500 million Instagram users share ephemeral Stories daily. But with a private account, only your approved followers can view them.
For influencers and brands leaning into Stories as a key strategy, maintaining public visibility is crucial for maximizing viewership.
Luckily, Stories allow granular audience controls. You can hide specific Stories from particular people while keeping your presence public. Take advantage of these tools instead of shutting off all Story access with a private profile.
How People Try Viewing Private Accounts
If you come across an enticing private profile, can you access the content? Some shady websites claim they can unlock restricted accounts for you.
I don‘t recommend this. Providing personal information often leads to spam rather than actual private content access.
The safest approach? Send a polite follow request to the account owner directly. If they accept, you‘re in! If not, move along and respect their decision.
How to Make Your Instagram Account Private
If restricting profile access aligns with your goals after reviewing the pros and cons, switching settings is straightforward:
- Open the Instagram app and visit your profile
- Tap the 3-line menu icon
- Select Settings
- Toggle on the "Private Account" option
- Approve/deny any pending follow requests if you have them
Note: Once you go private, any public content remains public unless you delete it. But all future posts will only be visible to followers you manually approve.
Should You Convert to a Private Profile?
Here‘s when operating a private Instagram account makes smart strategic sense:
✅ Personal users prioritizing privacy
✅ Students hiding content from future employers
✅ Influencers wanting an exclusive VIP area for fans
✅ Meme accounts & creators safeguarding content
✅ Brands doing occasional private beta testing
However, any business focused on expanding reach, engagement and sales will likely suffer from reduced discovery in private mode.
Carefully weigh the pros and cons aligned to your goals before committing one way or another. I‘m always happy to help analyze the best direction too!
Let me know if you have any other questions. Making your Instagram account private is more common that ever in 2024. But it also comes with visibility downsides to consider. Determine what matters most for your personal or professional presence.
Hope this overview gives you clarity on exactly how private profiles function and whether toggling settings could suit your needs! Just drop me a message if you want to chat it through further.
