How to Use Instagram for Business: A 2026 Guide

When Instagram came out in 2010, everyone thought that it was just another platform for sharing photos of dinners, cute pets, and sunsets. 

Fast forward to today, and it has evolved to become one of the most powerful marketing tools, connecting its over 3 billion active monthly users to businesses that use it to grow awareness, build relationships, and get new customers. 

Anyone running a business today who’s ignoring Instagram is undoubtedly leaving money on the table. And lots of it, too.

If this is you, and you’d like to catch up, read on as we discuss how to use Instagram for business, so that you can make it a real part of your marketing strategy for 2026.

What is Instagram for Business?

Instagram for business is an advanced version of the Instagram that you know. 

Instead of just a place to share photos and videos with friends, it provides a wide range of tools for businesses and creators to promote their brands, manage their presence, and reach new customers.

One particular standout feature is Instagram Shopping. This feature makes it easy for brands to showcase their products and services, sell online, and make money. 

Instead of customers coming to your physical store or visiting your website, they can simply purchase what they want right there on the app. It’s easy, convenient, and effective, which is why many businesses rely on it today. You should, too.

Benefits of Using Instagram for Business

You probably already have an Instagram personal account and may be wondering why you should bother switching to one for business. The short answer is more reach, better results, and real customers.

Instagram drives quite a lot in terms of engagement, conversion, and sales to business owners, which is why a whopping 78% of marketers from all over the world use it to advertise their businesses.

The platform also gives you direct access to your local customers, allowing you to reach them based on their interests, behaviors, and even life events. And it works, too. Up to 83% of users say that they came across new products and services on Instagram. If it’s not yours they’re finding, it’s your competitors’. 

Another big plus is how easy Instagram makes it to tell your story, thanks to its being heavy on visuals. People process images 60,000 times faster than text. This means that your brand message, product, services, and even events will resonate with your target audience faster on Instagram than most other platforms.

A small caveat, though. 

While Instagram is a great place to grow your business, your life shouldn’t revolve around it. Social media platforms have recently come under fire, with users filing Instagram lawsuit cases claiming it was intentionally designed to be addictive.

Case files reviewed by TruLaw reveal a possible connection between these platforms and depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. This is something you need to watch out for. Basically, don’t spend your entire day chasing Instagram leads. 

Your business Instagram strategy should be one part of a bigger marketing mix. Channel equal energy to email, your website, networking, and other channels. Balance matters.

5 Tips to Make Instagram Work for Your Business in 2026

If you’ve read up to this point, it’s safe to conclude that you’re interested in using Instagram for your business. So, how can you make it work for you? Here’s what to know.

Optimize Your Profile

It starts with your profile. Unlike your personal Instagram account that can be all about your love for goat yoga, this has to be about your business and resonate strongly with your target audience. And guess what, you may have just a few seconds to convince them to stick around.

So, what should you do?

• Use a clear profile picture of your logo. 
• Write a bio that clearly states what you do and who you help. Be specific. If you’re a local SEO company, instead of “We help businesses grow,” use “Helping Austin restaurants fill tables through local SEO.” 
• Use your link in your bio wisely. Let it take people to where you want them to go: your website, your latest product page, a booking link, etc.

Create Engaging Content

Just like with your personal Instagram account, content is what keeps people around. It’s what makes them look forward to seeing your brand on their feed, and what will make them even engage.

While there are many ways you can create great content that resonates, the show-and-tell approach works best. Instead of a static picture of your product, create a short behind-the-scenes video of the production process or a real customer using it.

Engage with Your Audience

This is where many brands get it wrong. You don’t just post and forget. Respond to comments, answer DMs, run polls, Q&As, do live videos, appreciate reviews, and most importantly, encourage your followers to create their own content and tag your business in it.

The latter, known as user-generated content or UGC, can be very effective. In fact, studies show that UGC can influence purchase decisions by a staggering 40%. That is exactly the percentage of users that trust it over traditional marketing, so make it a part of your engagement strategy.

Collaborate and Promote

There’s only so much you can do on your own. You need help, and that’s where partnership and promotion come in. If you can afford to, invest in Instagram ads. While this may not resonate as much as organic content, it can take your brand to where organic content cannot reach.

Influencer marketing is another option to consider. Partner with micro-influencers, preferably people with a highly engaged community of 1,000 to 100,000 followers. They can promote your brand to their followers, for a fee, giving you a much-needed boost.

Leverage Instagram Insights

Finally, make use of data. Instagram has a tool called Instagram Insights, which you’ll find in your profile area. This tool tells you how your account is doing in terms of engagement, content performance, and more. 

Use it to determine what’s working and double down.

Wrapping Up

Instagram has not stopped being a photo-sharing app. It’s still very much that. However, it’s also central to how brands connect with their customers today. It also has a low entry barrier. You don’t need any tech skills to leverage it, and the potential returns are quite massive.

As we get set for the coming year, make sure that you have a plan for getting your business on Instagram. It could be the push it needs for 2026.