How to Use Instagram: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Over the past few years, Instagram has experienced remarkable growth, going from just one million users at its inception to over one billion in 2022. If you’re a beginner looking to create an Instagram account or have recently done so but need guidance on how to use Instagram effectively, you arrive at the right guide.

In this advanced beginner-friendly article, let’s talk in-depth about the basics of Instagram.

Knowing What Instagram Actually Is?

Basically, meta-owned Instagram is a platform where users can share their photos and videos with people they know digitally.

It allows you to capture, edit, and publish visual content, accessible to both your followers and the general public if your account is set to public. Other people or users can react to your content by liking, commenting, or sharing.

In the earlier days of Instagram, the catchphrase “Do it for the ‘gram” was popular, signifying the act of doing something for the sole purpose of capturing and sharing it on Instagram.

From the time Instagram has upgraded itself, it’s more focused on video content. The platform has moved beyond the ‘gram, so to speak, and now accommodates a wider variety of content, including short video clips known as “Reels.”

If you’re not part of the one billion users on Instagram, it’s time to reconsider. Instagram is also a great place to engage with evolving brands and connect with friends and celebrities as well.

It’s also a fantastic platform for discovering what other brands are doing, with features like Instagram Stories offering exclusive content from companies like Nike.

Here we’ve tried to serve all the information about using Instagram in a beginner-friendly style.

also read: How to Recover Deleted Instagram Messages (2023)

How to Sign Up for Instagram

Signing up for Instagram is a straightforward process:

1. Download the Instagram app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android), or visit the Instagram website on your desktop.
2. Choose your preferred method for signing up – you can use Facebook, your email, or your phone number.
3. Create a unique username and password for your account.
4. Complete your profile information and tap “Done.”
5. If you sign up with Facebook, log in to your Facebook account if you’re not already logged in.

Managing Instagram Notifications

Once your account is created, it’s essential to configure your notification settings to your liking. You can choose which notifications to receive and from whom. To customize your notifications:

1. Open the Instagram app on your mobile device.
2. Go to your profile by tapping your profile picture in the bottom right.
3. Access “Settings” by clicking the hamburger menu in the top right.
4. Tap “Notifications.”
5. Adjust notification settings for various categories, such as posts, comments, and likes, based on your preferences.

Connecting Instagram to Other Social Media Accounts

You can link your Instagram account to other social media platforms, like Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook, on a per-post basis. To share a post on other platforms:

1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Navigate to your profile.
3. Tap on the post you want to share.
4. Click the three dots on the top right of the post.
5. Select “Share.”
6. Toggle the accounts you want to share the post with.

Once you’ve connected your accounts for one post, you can easily toggle sharing options for new posts without signing in again.

Connecting Instagram to Facebook

Since Instagram and Facebook are owned by the same company, Meta, you can connect the two accounts for a seamless experience. Connecting your Instagram and Facebook accounts allows you to:

• Share Stories across both Instagram and Facebook.
• Log in to Instagram using your Facebook credentials.
• Sync your profile information and picture across both platforms.
• Use Facebook Pay on both platforms.
• Access your shopping activity on both accounts.

To connect Instagram to Facebook:

1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Click on your profile picture in the bottom right.
3. Tap “Settings.”
4. Under the Meta logo, tap “Accounts Center.”
5. Tap “Set up Accounts Center” and follow the prompts to log in to Facebook.

Uploading, Editing, and Posting an Image

Instagram is a visually focused platform. To upload and post an image:

1. Click the “+” icon at the top-right corner of your profile to create a new post.
2. Choose your media file, either from your phone’s gallery or by taking a new photo.
3. Add filters or edit your image as desired.
4. Write a caption and toggle sharing settings, such as tagging people and adding a location.
5. When ready, click “Share” in the top right to publish your post.

Uploading an Image or Video to Your Stories

Instagram Stories allows you to post temporary content that disappears after 24 hours. To upload an image or video to your Stories:

1. Tap your profile picture in the upper left corner or swipe right on your feed.
2. Capture a new image or video or choose one from your media library.
3. Add stickers, filters, and text to your Story.
4. Publish your Story by clicking the white arrow icon for all followers or select “Close Friends” to limit the audience.

Following on Instagram

To follow other users on Instagram:

1. Click on the search icon at the bottom of your screen (magnifying glass).
2. Type in a person, topic, or brand to search for.
3. Browse the results and tap the account you want to follow.
4. If the account is public, click “Follow.” If it’s private, wait for approval.

Wind Up

As you explore Instagram, you’ll discover countless opportunities for engagement, expression, and connection.

Instagram is a valuable platform for personal and professional growth.

Whether you’re sharing everyday moments or building a personal brand, Instagram’s diverse features and vast user base make it an essential tool in today’s digital age.

Now you’ve got all the understanding about how to use Instagram using this guide.

Start your Instagram journey today, follow these steps, and watch your presence grow in the vibrant world of social media.