Want to know more about the social media platform Instagram? In this handy Instagram guide for beginners, read everything you need to know to get started with the platform’s fun features.
Are you already quite familiar with the Instagram platform and already have an account? Then you should read one of our other blogs about Instagram. This guide is focused on Instagram for beginners.
What is Instagram?
Before we dive deeper into the functionalities within the Instagram app, it is good to understand what Instagram is actually an app. Instagram (also called “Insta” by many people) is an app that focuses on imagery. This means that you will see only photos and videos passing by on the platform. Instagram was launched in 2010, and has not stopped growing since then.
The following are some of the things you can do on Instagram:
- Create a profile where you share photos and videos
- Follow accounts whose photos and videos you want to see
- Responding to another user’s content
- Easily create short videos (of up to 1 minute)
- Use funny filters to create photos in the app itself
As you read, there is plenty to do in the Instagram app! But first, it is important that you have installed the app and created an account.
Creating Instagram account on your phone
Would you like to start using Instagram but don’t have the app on your phone or created an account yet? Then follow these easy steps in our Instagram guide for beginners:
- Download the TikTok app from the Google Play Store (Samsung users) or App Store (Apple users).
- Then you can log in with your Facebook account, or register with an email address.
- Are you registering yourself with an e-mail address? Then you have to manually set your name, profile picture and password. Are you using your Facebook account? Then the name and profile picture are taken over from that account.
- The next step is to come up with a username. Note that it must not yet be in use.
- Then a pop-up will appear asking if they can search your phone’s contacts. You can also refuse this. In doing so, they look to see if someone is already using Instagram that you might want to follow. Is there anyone nice among them? Then you can click the follow button directly on this person.
- When you’re done, click the checkmark in the upper right corner.
Then, in your profile settings, you can choose to make your account public or private. Public means that everyone can find your account, follow you and see the posted content already immediately. With a private Instagram account, this works a little differently. This account can be found through the search function, but you cannot yet directly see the content on this account. To do this, you must first send a follow request. Does the user accept your request? Then you also get access to the content on the account.
How does Instagram work?
Now that your Instagram account is created, you can officially get started! In the following piece, we’ll explain to you how Instagram works, what all the icons mean and go even deeper into the app’s functionalities.
Instagram icons
When you open the Instagram app, you see a bar at the bottom of your screen containing five icons. Through these icons, you can get to different pages on Instagram. We briefly explain each of them.
- The cottage: this is your home page, containing followers’ shared content.
- The magnifying glass: your goes to the explore page, here you can see accounts you might be interested in.
- The plus: post a photo or video to your account.
- The video sign: your goes to Instagram Reels (short videos).
- Your own profile picture: go to your own account and adjust your profile settings.
Have you ended up somewhere and don’t know how to get out? Then close the app completely and open the app again. This causes you to start on the home page again.
Posting a photo or video to your account
On Instagram you can only post visual images, this means that you cannot share only a text like on Facebook or Twitter.
To post a photo or video for your account, click on the plus sign at the bottom center of your screen. You can then select a picture or video of your choice from your camera roll, or take a picture yourself by clicking on the camera icon. Have you selected a photo or video and are you satisfied with it? Then you move on to the next step.
In the second screen, you can pick a filter to use on your photo. This will make your photo look even better. Instagram has some default filters set up, but you can also adjust them on a piece-by-piece basis. Thus, the filter becomes more or less violent. Ready? Or don’t you want a filter? Then click next again.
Now you come to the final screen. Here you start with a caption (the text) for under your photo or video and possibly add some hashtags of your choice. Also, on this page you can choose to tag people (you’ll need their Instagram username to do this), add a location or even pick out music. Did you do this? Then click share!
As you read, there are plenty of ways to make your post completely the way you want it. Above all, try out all the features at your leisure and see what you like best.
Send a private message
If you want to send an account a message without just anyone reading it, you have the option of sending someone a private message. This icon can be found in the upper right corner of the home page and is identified by the little arrow. Once you click on this, another screen will open. You are now in your private messages. Click on the little pen with the block at the top right and choose someone you follow to send a message to.
Does this person (or anyone else) send a private message to you? Then on your home page you will see a number by your arrow. To respond, click that arrow again and you will see who sent you a message. Clicking on this message will open the chat with this person.
Instagram stories
Instagram stories are photos or videos that are only available for 24 hours. They can be found on the home page at the top and you can recognize them by the round profile pictures. After 24 hours, the photo or video shared by the user will disappear.
Click on one of the round profile pictures and that person’s Instagram story will open. Waiting a moment or right-clicking on the screen immediately opens another story, from the same or another user.
Are you done watching Instagram stories? Then swipe your finger from top to bottom on the screen. You will then be returned to the home page.
Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels are entertaining short videos that accounts post on Instagram to gain more followers. They are very similar to TikTok videos and are widely compared to them. Anyone can create and upload Reels, including you!
As indicated with the icons earlier in this blog, you open Instagram Reels by clicking on the video sign at the bottom of the white bar. A video then appears on your screen for you to watch, like, comment or share. Don’t like the video? Then you swipe your finger from bottom to top of your screen, and the next video appears. You could go on like this for hours.
Want to create and post your own Instagram Reel? Then click on the camera icon at the top right of your Reels screen. A new screen with a camera will open automatically, which you can use to record a video immediately. The possibilities on Instagram Reels are endless, and far too many to go into in depth in this blog. For example, the music icon allows you to add music to the video, use filters, turn on a timer and use templates.
Plenty of options you can pick at your leisure! Want to get out of the screen and back to your home page? Then click the cross in the upper left corner.
As you read, there are tremendous opportunities on Instagram. Hopefully this Instagram guide for beginners will help you discover the entire Instagram app and have answered the question “how does Instagram work?”.
Want to know more about the Instagram platform? Then also read this blog, where we elaborate on the best time to post on Instagram. Very useful when you want to increase the number of followers on your account!
