The Instagram Guides is one of the latest features introduced 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 introduced in 2020.
Fortunately, putting things on your radar is precisely what Instagram Guides are for. In fact, if you want to stay on top of Instagram marketing tips and updates, Hootsuite already has a guide for that.
If you’re here just to learn about Guides, we have a guide for that, too—only in blog format. Learn how to create Instagram Guides, how you can use them for your business, and more.
What are Instagram Guides?
Instagram Guides are a cross between 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. Each guide includes a cover image, title, introduction, and optional descriptions for entries.
The initial inspiration for Guides was travel. But 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.
Once created, Guides appear in a dedicated tab on a person’s or brand’s profile and can be shared in Stories or direct messages. Entries can be edited, added, or removed as the account owner desires.
How to use Instagram Guides
New to creating Instagram Guides? Follow these steps to create Guides with posts, products, or places.
How to create an Instagram Guide with posts
- From your profile, click the plus symbol in the upper right corner.
- Select Guide.
- Tap Posts.
- Choose a post from your feed or a saved post published by other public accounts.
- Tap Next.
- Add your guide title and description. If you would like to use a different cover photo, tap Change Cover Photo.
- Double check the prepopulated place name, and edit as needed. If you wish, add a description.
- Tap Add Place and repeat steps 4–8 until your guide is complete.
- After that Tap Nextin the upper right corner.
- Then Tap Share.
How to create an Instagram Guide with products
- From your profile, click the plus symbol in the upper right corner.
- Select Guide.
- Tap Products.
- Search by account for the product listing you’d like to include. If you’ve saved the product to your wishlist, you can find it there also.
- Select the product you’d like to add and tap Next. You can choose to include multiple posts for a single entry if available. They will be displayed like a carousel.
- Add your guide title and description. If you would like to use a different cover photo, tap Change Cover Photo.
- Double check the prepopulated place name, and edit as needed. If you wish, add a description.
- Tap Add Products and repeat steps 4–8 until your guide is complete.
- Then Tap Nextin the upper right corner.
- After that Tap Share.
How to create an Instagram Guide with places
- From your profile, click the plus symbol in the upper right corner.
- Select Guide.
- Tap Places.
- Search for a place by geotag, in your saved folder, or use one of your pre-published posts. If you search by geotag, select the post you would like to include.
- Once you’ve selected a post, click Next.
- Add your guide title and description. If you would like to use a different cover photo, tap Change Cover Photo.
- Double check the prepopulated place name, and edit as needed. If you wish, add a description.
- Tap Add Place and repeat steps 4–8 until your guide is complete.
- Then Tap Next in the upper right corner.
- After that Tap Share.
Tip: If you would like to include specific images in a place guide, create a folder for them first. For this to work, these posts must include geotags.
10 ways to use Instagram Guides for your business
Not sure where to start with Instagram Guides? Let these examples inspire you.
Create a gift guide
Instagram Guides are an easy way to repurpose product listings into gift Guides for Christmas, Mother’s Day, and other holidays.
Afrocenchix created a Christmas shopping guide with its catalogue, and The Lip Bar has a guide centered on easy, affordable gifts for beginners.
Looking for gifts for botanical lovers? Vintner’s Daughter has you covered.
Compile a list of tips
Each tip features a different brand post, providing a concrete example for inspiration. Explore more marketing roundups on Instagram’s business account.
Gather posts under a theme
Most businesses on Instagram offer multiple products and services. Reorganize your feed with an Instagram guide that groups related posts together.
For example, Hot For Food posts vegan snacks, meals, desserts, and more. But those looking exclusively for dessert ideas can find them with the guide: Just Dessert Stuff.
Red Bull’s Training Day guide brings its “day in the life” series together.
Create a ranked list
Showcase your bestsellers, most popular posts, or top recipes.
If you run a contest that asks participants to cast votes for their favourites, publish the results in an Instagram Guide format.
Run a national sports league draft? Probably not, but this NBA 2020 draft guide is all net.
Share a brand story or message
Create an Instagram Guide that introduces new followers to your company and its values.
French jewelry designer Louise Damas’ guide details the company history with posts about its founder, process, unique pieces, and ladies-first approach.
Guides can also be used to break down new initiatives, highlight social responsibility efforts, or celebrate milestones.
Provide step-by-step instructions
Run an advice series or provide how-to’s on Instagram? Assemble posts into a simple step-by-step guide.
For example, Headspace collected its Money Smart Monday posts into a four-step guide on “how to get on top of your finances.”
Complex topics can be unpacked here, too. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s guide shows people how to have real convos about mental health.
Shoutout others in your community
Create a guide that spotlights members of your community, shares some love, or builds your network.
Yo Soy AfroLatina has a guide for its fav small businesses.
The Secret Mountain uses a place-based guide to promote the indie booksellers that stock its titles.
Collaborate with a creator
Guides open up a new way for brands to collaborate with influencers, creators, and celebs.
Everlane recruited actor Tommy Dorfman, actress Olivia Sui, and model and actress Lenya Bloom to curate gift guides with its products.
Businesses could create Guides that feature all their brand ambassadors, collaborate with influencers to make Guides on their account, and more.
Share a travel guide
It comes as no surprise that the travel industry jumped on Instagram Guides.
Tourism Australia’s Instagram account offers Guides to Gippsland, the Blue Mountains, and Kangaroo Island, among others.
Tourisme Quebec’s guide highlights Montreal’s Chinatown in French and English for Instagram. Brands might want to think outside the box here, too. Share a campus tour or a map of all company locations.
Promote causes and provide resources
For companies that champion causes and engage in social activism, Instagram Guides provide a place to summarize efforts and share resources.
Instagram’s Act for Racial Justice guide curates important explainers that have been shared by the community.
The nicest thing about Guides? They don’t necessarily require you to make brand new content. The easiest way to get started is to take a look at what you’ve already posted on Instagram and start grouping your content into categories you think your followers will find useful.