Instagram launched a brand new and exciting feature to help content creators share reliable information and offer their followers curated collections.
Initially, the feature was launched just for a few reliable Instagram accounts in the COVID 19 pandemic context to help influencers curate and share verified news and information.
By now, the feature is rolling out to everybody, and it looks like it’s going to be the next big thing when it comes to Instagram content.
Let’s dig deeper and see what Instagram Guides are, where to find them, and how to create them to add more substance to your Instagram page.
I’ll also explain the different types of Instagram Guides you can create and share some great examples of how influencers in all domains are using them to create great content.
So, stick with me till the end and get ready to be inspired. By the end of this article, you’ll want to start creating Instagram Guides yourself.
But first, let’s get into a more detailed definition of the new Instagram Guides feature…
What are Instagram Guides
Instagram guides are collections of curated content. Content creators can now share a list of posts from other accounts or their own and complete them with comments under the same cluster or guide.
Initially, the Guides feature was focused on wellness guides and topics to show users support and offer guidance in the context of the COVID19 pandemic. However, Instagram developed the feature, so now you can share everything from product collections to places and more.
Instagram guides are a great way to tell a story, keep your audience entertained, and give something back to the community and the content creators you follow. You can do this by sharing their posts and giving them a visibility boost.
The new feature is so versatile that you will surely find new ways to inform, amaze, and entertain your audience.
Where To Find Instagram Guides
As you navigate an account that uses the Instagram Guides feature, you’ll see the dedicated tab below the Story Highlights, between the default posts tab and the IGTV dedicated tab.
That’s where you’ll be able to see all the Guides created by the owner of the account so that you can navigate through them. Once you open an Instagram guide, you can see the list of curated posts, along with the comments made by the owner of the account.
Image Source: https://www.instagram.com/klicksafe/
The guides are also available through the Instagram Explore page, so they can reach a larger audience if they are relevant.
How to Create Your Own Instagram Guides
By this point, you might be wondering how you can create your own Instagram Guides.
Here’s a step by step guide that will show you how you can create your own curated content lists that you can share with your audience.
When the feature was first launched at the beginning of 2020, only a small group of content creators had access to it. But, starting from November, the feature will roll out to everyone.
So, if you don’t see the option to add guides yet, don’t worry. You’ll soon have access to it and be able to create beautiful collections.
- Choose the Instagram Guide feature on your profile.
First, you’ll have to navigate your profile page, tap the + icon on your Instagram profile, and select the Guide option, just like in the image below.
Source: https://later.com/blog/instagram-guides/
- Choose the Instagram Guide type
You can choose one of the three available options to create your first guide: Places guide, Products guide, and Posts guide. Scroll down to read more details about each type of guide.
Choose the one that meets your needs and proceed to the next step.
- Select and edit the content of your Instagram Guide
The next step is to select the posts, places, or products you want to include in your collection. Then you can add your thoughts about each entry and add a title and description to the whole guide.
- Preview your Instagram Guide
You’re almost done; the next step is to preview the Instagram Guide and step backward if you need to change anything. When you are happy with the result, proceed to the next step.
- Publish your new Guide
Now all you have to do is hit publish. Congratulations, you just created your first Instagram Guide. Cheers for many more to come!
Types of Instagram Guides
There are three types of Instagram guides you can create, and depending on the type of business you have and your inspiration, you can choose your favorite way to showcase your curated content.
Let’s see the differences between the different Guides you can create and share some detail about them.
Places Guide
Instagram Places Guides are ideal for travel bloggers, travel agencies, or content creators passionate about traveling and sharing content on the places they visited or want to see.
When you choose this type of guide, you can select the place and share your posts or posts by other content creators from the same place.
Products Guide
Instagram Products Guides can be used in many ways and represent an excellent promotional opportunity for brands.
Users can create Guides to share reviews on products they used, while Influencers can create curated lists of all the products they recommend from certain brands.
Also, brands can curate lists of their products with guides on using them, gift guides, or other types of curated content to inspire people to see their products in a different light.
Image Source: https://about.instagram.com/blog/announcements/expanding-guides-on-instagram
Posts Guide
Post guides are great ways to tell a story, and they are so versatile you can use them for almost anything. You can use your own posts, posts created by others, or you can combine them as you feel.
You can use your own Instagram content to create collections under the same umbrella, share tutorials, reviews, or even cooking recipes. You can also use saved content created by others to share it with your following base and create inspirational lists of curated content on a specific topic.
Instagram Guides Examples
Here are some more examples of how influencers and brands use the new feature to share stories, promote products and places to get some inspiration for your first Instagram guide.
- Mental Health and COVID Instagram Guide Example
In these uncertain times, it’s easy to get anxious about the future or get depressed. Mental Health and Covid Instagram guides address this issue, as influencers and associations share with their community guides on taking care of yourself and avoiding burnout, anxiety, or depression.
Here’s a beautiful example from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, where they share ways to support our mental health during the health crisis.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/afspnational/guide/mental-health-covid-19/18103751569092270/
- Kindness Instagram Guide Example
In our next example, the Heads Together association explores Kindness, the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, sharing a series of posts that restore your faith in humanity.
Give it a look following the link below and get inspired to share some kindness in the online community.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/heads_together/guide/our-guide-to-kindness/17898182635485523/
- Financial Education Instagram Guide Example
Our next example comes from Headspace; they put together a list of tips and ideas to save more and feel in control of your finances.
With Instagram guides, it’s easy to share tips and know-how on different themes of interest for your audience.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/headspace_aus/guide/money-smart-mondays/17865036881178890/
- Photography Instagram Guide Example
The new feature offers an excellent opportunity for photographers and visual artists to curate photoshoots or virtual exhibitions using Instagram Guides.
Here’s an example from Shiv Reddy with a beautiful engagement photo shooting.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/shivalry_inc/guide/los-angeles-engagement-photos/17985690910311116/
- Black Lives Matter Instagram Guide Example
The next example comes from Unbothered, who created a Black Lives Matter guide, highlighting posts of people fighting for their rights.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/r29unbothered/guide/blacklivesmatter/18031177003268574/
- Product Instagram Guide Example
Here’s a great example of how brands or influencers can use Instagram Guides to share products and tell stories about them.
Mressentialist created a collection with all his favorite shoes, inviting his followers to shop the products.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/mressentialist/guide/my-essentials-sneakers-shoes/18132194950119543/
- Travel Instagram Guide Example
For travel bloggers, Instagram guides offer lots of opportunities to share beautiful content from places they visited. Here’s an example from Teresa Andrés Gonzalvo sharing her visit to Alicante, Spain.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/teresaandresgonzalvo/guide/alicante/18091882570204252/
- Content Marketing Instagram Guide Example
Last, but not least, here is my guide to Content Marketing, where I explore the purpose of content and how it can help us communicate, collect ideas, and connect.
I have been experimenting with Instagram Guides from the moment the option became available, and I believe it offers excellent opportunities for content marketers to share their expertise and experiences.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/katairobi/guide/whats-the-real-purpose-of-content/17882554129879482/
I hope you found the inspiration you need to get started with Instagram Guides!
If you have, share your examples in the comment section below!
