Everyone asks the same basic question: how do you get on Instagram? Most people think it’s just downloading an app, picking a grainy photo of their lunch, and waiting for the dopamine hit of that first "like." But honestly? Setting up an account in 2026 is a completely different beast than it was five years ago.
The platform is crowded. It’s loud. It’s owned by Meta, which means there are layers of security and algorithm-driven hurdles you have to jump over before you even see your first Reel. If you mess up the initial setup, you might find your account flagged as "suspicious" before you’ve even uploaded a profile picture.
You’ve got to do it right.
The Boring (But Essential) Setup Phase
First, grab your phone. You can technically sign up on a desktop, but Instagram is a mobile-first world. Just go to the App Store or Google Play and grab the latest version. When you open it, you’ll see the option to "Create New Account."
Here is where people trip up.
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Instagram gives you two choices: use your phone number or use an email address. If you want my advice? Use an email. Phone numbers are great for two-factor authentication later on, but if you ever lose access to that specific SIM card or travel internationally, getting back into your account via email is usually a whole lot smoother. Also, if you’re planning on running multiple accounts—maybe one for your cat and one for your side hustle—unique emails keep things organized.
Pick a username that isn't user_99827364. Seriously.
Your "handle" is your digital identity. If the one you want is taken, don't just add a string of random digits. Use an underscore or a period. Or, better yet, add a word that describes what you do, like CookingWithSam or SamSews. It makes you searchable.
Why Verification Matters Right Away
Once you’re in, the app is going to start pestering you. It wants your contacts. It wants to know who you know. You can skip this if you want to keep your "lurking" status private, but if you're trying to build a presence, letting the app scan your contacts is the fastest way to find your real-life friends.
But let's talk about the Meta Verified elephant in the room.
Back in the day, that blue checkmark was for celebrities and journalists. Now? You can basically buy it. For a monthly subscription fee, Meta gives you a badge, "proactive account protection," and direct access to customer support. If you are a business owner or a creator, it’s worth considering. It helps with "how do you get on Instagram" success because it proves to the algorithm—and to your followers—that you aren't a scammer from a bot farm.
Cracking the Bio Code
Your bio is basically a billboard. You have 150 characters to explain why someone should care that you exist. Most people waste this space with "Living my best life" or a string of emojis that don't mean anything.
Don't do that.
Be specific. If you’re a photographer in Seattle, say "Seattle Wedding Photographer | Capturing the Moody PNW." Use keywords. Why? Because Instagram’s search function now acts a lot like Google. If someone searches for "PNW Photography," and those words are in your bio, you’re going to show up.
Include a link. You only get one "Link in Bio" (though Instagram now allows a few more, it still looks cluttered). Use a tool like Linktree or, even better, link directly to your personal website.
Navigation and the Three Main Pillars
Getting on the platform is the easy part. Staying on it and actually enjoying it requires understanding the three main ways content moves:
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- The Feed: This is where you see posts from people you actually follow. It’s for "static" photos and short videos.
- Stories: These are the little circles at the top. They disappear after 24 hours. This is where you post the raw, unedited, "ugly" stuff. It’s for building a connection, not for being perfect.
- Reels: This is Instagram's answer to TikTok. If you want to grow—meaning, you want people who don't follow you to see your stuff—you have to make Reels.
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has been very vocal about the shift toward video. While they’ve walked back some of the more aggressive "video-only" changes after users complained, the reality is that video gets more "reach." Reach is just a fancy word for how many eyeballs see your content.
Safety Is Not Optional
I’ve seen people lose ten years of memories because they didn't take thirty seconds to secure their account.
Go into your settings. Go to the "Accounts Center." Find "Password and Security." Turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
Do not use SMS-based 2FA if you can help it. SIM-swapping is a real thing. Use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Duo. It generates a code on your phone that expires every 30 seconds. It’s a bit of a pain, but it’s the difference between keeping your account and waking up to find your profile is suddenly selling "discounted crypto" to your grandma.
The Ghosting Problem: Why New Accounts Get Blocked
Sometimes, you do everything right, and Instagram still puts you in "jail."
This usually happens because you look like a bot. If you create a brand new account and immediately follow 500 people, like 200 photos, and comment "Great pic!" on everything, the system will flag you. You’re performing "automated actions."
Take it slow. Follow a few friends. Post a photo. Wait a day. Engagement should be organic. Real humans don't follow 50 people per minute. If you get the dreaded "Action Blocked" message, just stop. Close the app. Don't try to "fix" it by clicking more buttons. Give it 24 to 48 hours to reset.
Public vs. Private: Making the Call
When you’re figuring out how do you get on Instagram, you need to decide if you want a "Personal," "Creator," or "Business" account.
If you just want to see what your nieces and nephews are up to, keep it Personal and Private. This means people have to ask your permission to follow you. Your stuff won't show up on the Explore page, and you’ll have total control.
If you want to be an "influencer" or run a shop, you need a Professional Account. This gives you "Insights." Insights are amazing. They show you exactly when your followers are online, which posts they liked the most, and how many people saved your photos. You can’t get that data on a personal account.
Understanding the "Shadowban" Myth
You’ll hear this term a lot. "I'm shadowbanned!" Usually, they just mean their content isn't very good and people aren't engaging with it.
Instagram doesn't typically hide your posts for no reason. However, they do suppress content that hits "borderline" categories. This includes things like overly sexualized content, misinformation, or "low-quality" reposts (like a TikTok video with the watermark still on it).
If you want to stay in the algorithm's good graces, create original content. Use the in-app tools. Add music that is currently "trending"—you can see this by looking for the tiny little "up" arrow next to the song name in the Reels feed.
The Real Cost of "Getting On"
Instagram is free, but it's not really free. You’re trading your data and your attention.
The app is designed to keep you scrolling. If you find yourself spending six hours a day looking at people you don't even like, use the "Quiet Mode" or set a time limit in your phone's settings. You can find this under "Your Activity" in the Instagram menu. It’s actually pretty helpful to see the cold, hard numbers of how much time you're losing to the "Explore" page.
Actionable Steps to Start Today
Don't overthink it. Most people spend weeks "planning" their Instagram launch and never actually post anything.
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- Sign up with a dedicated email (not just a "Sign in with Facebook" click—keep them separate for security).
- Secure the fort by enabling Two-Factor Authentication immediately.
- Write a functional bio that explains who you are and where you are located.
- Post your first "Grid" post. Make it a high-quality photo of yourself or your work so people know the account is active.
- Engage like a human. Don't mass-follow. Leave three genuine comments on accounts you actually like.
- Switch to a Professional account if you want to see the "Insights" data, but only if you're okay with your profile being public.
Getting on Instagram is a marathon. The people who "win" at the platform aren't the ones who had a viral hit on day one. They’re the ones who show up consistently, talk back to their followers in the comments, and don't take the algorithm too seriously. Just start. You can always archive the embarrassing early posts later. Everyone does.
Once you have the basics down, the next thing you’ll want to look into is "Alt Text" for your images. It’s a small setting under "Advanced Settings" when you're about to post. It describes your image for visually impaired users and—bonus—it helps Instagram's AI understand exactly what is in your photo, which helps you show up in more searches. Do it for the accessibility, keep it for the SEO. It’s a win-win.