What Are Instagram Guides and Should I Be Using Them?

In May of 2020, Instagram expanded Guides so all users could use them to create content. Originally used for health and wellness content, Instagram Guides have now become a popular resource for anyone looking to engage their audience. Here is a guide to all you need to know and understand about the Instagram Guide feature. 


What Are Guides?

Guides are Instagram’s equivalent of blog posts. These posts include videos or pictures and a space for users to write commentary about their chosen media. Guides can be used in a variety of different ways making them a diverse way to create content. They are featured next Reels on Instagram profiles and can be shared via Instagram Stories. 


How Do You Use Guides?

Using Guides is easy and only requires a few steps.

  • Open Instagram and navigate to your profile.
  • Click on the plus icon that is opposite your username. 
  • When prompted with which type of post you would like to make, choose Guide.
  • You will be given three options to choose from; Places, Products, and Posts. Choose the option that best fits which post you would like to make.

  • When choosing the Places option:

    • Choose the location you would like to feature in your Guide.
    • Curate which posts from this location you want to discuss. 
    • Edit the titles and text boxes with the information you would like to include. 
    • Hit the button titled “Next” and then post!

  • When choosing the Products option:

    • Find and choose the brand you would like to feature in your Guide.
    • Choose the products you want to display.
    • Edit the titles and text boxes with the information you would like to include. 
    • Hit the button titled “Next” and then post!

  • When choosing the Posts option:

    • Choose posts from your Favorites tab that you want to feature in your Guide.
    • Edit the titles and text boxes with the information you would like to include. 
    • Hit the button titled “Next” and then post!

What Should You Use Guides For?

Users and brands can use Guides for a multitude of different purposes. Depending on what you want to promote there are several different ways to use this Instagram feature. 

  • Gift Guides

    • Gift guides are a great way to display your products or services. Compile a list of posts or products into the Guide feature and describe how they can be used and what holiday or event they would be useful for. If you want to be more specific you can create Guides depending on the holiday or event. For example, make a Guide for the Fourth of July that features your products and how they would fit into the holiday.

  • List of Tips

    • Just like in a blog post or Instagram post, Guides can be a great resource for creating a list of tips. If your account is centered around a particular topic then make a list of tips that goes along with your account’s purpose. For example, if you run a travel account try making a list of tips for anyone wanting to travel to a specific destination. 

  • Themed Posts

    • If you sell multiple products then use the Guides feature to group your products under a theme. If you sell clothing then create a Guide specifically for women’s clothing and group posts that feature those items together. 

  • Ranked Lists

    • Ranked lists are great for those who sell products or who simply create content. Create a Guide featuring your best-selling products to show your audience the best of what you have to offer. If you are a content creator that doesn’t sell products then create a Guide featuring your top posts. 

  • Share Your Brand Message

    • Because Guides work almost like blog posts they are perfect for showing off your brand’s message. Incorporate your company’s history, goals, and brand ethos into a post to show your audience everything your company stands for. 

  • Instruction Manuals

    • Using Guides for instruction manuals is a great way to both provide guidance and generate traction on your account. If you offer a service then detail how the service works. If you sell products then create a Guide that shows how to use the product. If you are a content creator then use Guides to explain something you are knowledgeable about. 

  • Collaborations

    • Collaborations of any kind are sure to draw attention to your brand or account. Guides are a great place to do this and make the process easy. Use Guides to feature another brand or content creator that shares a similar interest or purpose as you. You can do this by featuring them in either the video, posts, or text portion of your Guide.

  • Social Causes

    • Discussing certain social causes or events is important to anyone who uses social media. Guides are a great way to explain certain events or issues that may be relevant to your content or brand. Feature content from other creators who also stand in support of your particular cause and explain using the text option how this cause fits with your account. 

  • Repost Blog Content

    • If you have a blog or website where you post information about your brand or company then it may be beneficial for you to reshare this information in the form of a Guide. Simply format the content into the Guide and choose images from your posts that match the information. Also, be sure to link back to the original post within the Guide to generate extra traction for your website. 

How To Promote Your Instagram Guides


Creating your Instagram Guide is only the first step in the process. You also have to consider how you will promote your Guides. 

  • An easy way to promote your Instagram Guides is by using Instagram Stories. Simply click on the guide you wish to share and then navigate to the icon with three dots in the upper right corner of your screen. Then click on “Share to” and share your Guide to your story. This will help engage your followers who may have missed your Guide when it was originally posted. 
  • Whenever making content it is important to share it on several different platforms. Instagram makes this easy. Share your Guides to other social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest by simply clicking the icon with three dots in the upper right corner of your screen and then selecting the “Share to” option. 
  • If you have a website that features blogs or other content from your social media accounts make sure to share your Guides there as well. Copy the link for your guide by clicking the icon with three dots in the upper right corner of your Guide. Then click on “Copy Link” and add this link to your website with a brief description of the Guide’s contents. 

Summary

Guides are a unique part of Instagram that can be used for a variety of purposes. They are great for anyone looking to diversify their content, curate groups of posts, or provide additional commentary on Instagram.

To learn more about Instagram features, content creation, and social media marketing strategies, check out or request a quote from Power Move Marketing today!

Author: Lindsay Pelliccia


Back to Blogs