How To Use Instagram Guides

Instagram Guides are a curated way to organize content, combining posts, products, and places into a single, scrollable resource. They help you deliver value in a structured format and keep followers engaged by guiding them through your best content.

Why use Instagram Guides

• Centralize valuable content for easy discovery
• Repurpose existing posts into a cohesive learning path
• Highlight evergreen topics, tutorials, or product recommendations
• Drive deeper engagement by guiding users through a curated journey

What you can include

• Posts from your feed
• Saved collections of posts
• Products from your catalog
• Places you’ve visited or recommend

How to create a Guide

1. Open Instagram and go to your profile.
2. Tap the plus icon (+) or the Guides option in the menu.
3. Choose the type of Guide: Posts, Products, or Places.
4. Add a cover image and title that clearly communicates the guide’s purpose.
5. Add items: select existing posts, products, or places to include.
6. Arrange the order of items to tell a logical story.
7. Write a concise description or introduction for the Guide.
8. Publish and share with your audience.

Best practices for Guides

• Define a clear topic or theme (e.g., “Beginner’s Guide to Reels” or “Productivity Tools for Remote Work”)
• Include a compelling cover image and a concise, helpful description
• Curate a mix of evergreen content and timely updates
• Update guides periodically to keep them relevant
• Promote guides in captions, stories, and link-in-bio where appropriate

Content ideas for Guides

• Tutorials: step-by-step instructions for a routine or process
• Resource roundups: a collection of useful posts or tools
• Product recommendations: a go-to list with notes on who it helps
• Travel or location guides: top spots with tips and links
• Industry insights: a curated set of posts explaining a concept

How to optimize reach and engagement

• Pin guides to your profile for easy access
• Cross-promote in stories with a swipe-up or link sticker (where available)
• Use relevant keywords in the cover title and description
• Encourage saves and shares by framing the guide as a practical resource
• Collaborate with others by co-curating Guides

Examples of effective Guides

• A “Beginner’s Guide to [Your Topic]” for newcomers
• A “Toolkit” guide featuring essential tools and how to use them
• A “Best of [Your Brand]” collection highlighting top posts and products

Measuring success

• Track saves, shares, and profile clicks attributed to Guide promotions
• Monitor follower growth and engagement on guide-related posts
• Gather feedback in comments or DMs to refine future Guides

Troubleshooting tips

• If items don’t appear, verify that they are eligible (posts, products, or places) and properly linked
• Update cover image and description if engagement drops
• Reorder items to improve narrative flow and usefulness

Final takeaway

Instagram Guides offer a powerful, user-friendly way to package your best content into a structured resource. Use clear themes, thoughtful curation, and regular updates to maximize value for your audience.