What Are Guides?
Guides are basically collections that mix both text and visuals and allow the creator to easily share recommendations and tips with their followers. Guides have a dedicated place on your profile: you’ll find them listed underneath the Follow button on your profile. If you have set up Highlights for your account, the Guides will be in the line of icons underneath. To access Guides, you’ll need to tap on the “Open book” icon. When viewing a Guide, users will have access to a collection of posts that the creator has specially curated with a topic in mind, as well as helpful tips and advice. When it was initially introduced back in 2020, the feature was meant to promote well being and showed up on the profiles of various creators or organizations activating in the segment. Since then, Guides have been made available to everyone, not just brands and businesses.
How to Create Your First Guide
Creating a Guide on Instagram is a pretty specific process. You won’t be able to do so from the Instagram feed simply by tapping the “+” button on the upper-right corner of the display. At the same time, you won’t be able to create a Guide straight from the Instagram camera ether. What you need to do is head to your Profile.
Three Types of Guides
The three types of Guides feature their own particularities, but overall, they will look the same. Think of them as a very visually-focused type of listicle. Depending on the type of product or service you wish to promote, you’ll need to select the right kind of Guide for your particular purpose.
Places
Products
Posts
Once published, your new Guide(s) should be accessible through your Profile via the Guides tab.
Share Your Guides on Instagram
Once you’ve created your first guide, you’ll probably want to start sharing it with your friends and followers. It is quite easy, as you will see below. If you’re trying to raise awareness about your own Guide(s), sharing it to your Stories is a great way to promote it with your followers.
1. How can I discover more Guides on Instagram?
If you’re looking to discover Guides created by other people on Instagram, that’s not super straightforward. You can use the Explore tab (accessible through the Search icon at the bottom) and may randomly come across Guides in there. They should be marked with a relevant icon to distinguish them from regular posts. The easiest way to discover new Guides is to check for them on a user’s profile. Here are some examples: @afspnational, @heads_together, @vitaalere, @klicksafe, @headspace_aus, @deepikapadukone, @sudahdong and @eenfance.
2. Can I edit a Guide after it has been published?
Yes, you can. If you want to rearrange your posts or simply want to add or remove additional items, access the Guide and tap on the three dots in the upper-right corner and select “Edit Guide.” Apply your modifications form there.
3. Can I access Guides on Instagram for desktop?
Yes, you can check out and browse Guides while you’re using Instagram on your PC. However, you can’t create them from your computer. Right now, it’s only possible to add regular posts to your profile. Also, keep in mind that while you can access Guides on PC, you won’t be able to share them via DM or a post. Image credit: Unsplash
