Tips & Guides

You are scrolling your feed on Instagram. As you scroll, you see different photos from your friends and other accounts that you’re following with. Then, you see a photo that captivates your eye, and the first thing that comes into your mind is your friend. You want your friend to see that photo, but you don’t know how. If that’s the case, then this article is for you!

Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms today. Instagram’s main function is to share photos, and we could say that it is the best and the most popular photo-sharing social media channel today. The app currently has more than one billion users worldwide, and almost 500 million users have been using Instagram everyday! Now that’s a big number!

Sharing photos is the main function of Instagram, but much like other social media sites, it can also be used for messaging. Instagram has a messaging feature called Direct Messages (DM, for short), where you can send private messages to an account. Not only Instagram is used to share photos to everyone, but it is also used to share photos and send messages to a specific person or a select group.

This article will help you how to send messages on Instagram, what you can and can’t do when sending messages, things you need to know about receiving Instagram messages, and some useful tricks or hacks in sending and receiving Instagram messages.

What Are Instagram Messages?

 Instagram messages are those that you sent privately to another account or group in Instagram. It could be in the form of text, photo, video, or a combination of those three. Instagram messages are also called direct messages (or DMs, for short). Instagram Direct is already a feature in the application so it would be easy to spot and use it. Through Instagram Direct, you can send messages to one account or even to many accounts.

Many DM’s get lost in the “requests” inbox, we’ve spoken to a CBD Gummies brand that uses Direct Messages and Instagram influencers as their principal source of traffic, they always recommend a first interaction with a comment so when the recipient replies, you let them know you’re going to continue the conversation privately.

Instagram Direct works privately, so when you send a message to an account or group, the account or group will only see that message. When you send a message from a post that you see in your feed, and the post comes from a private account, the ones who can see it are those who follow that account.  People can always see a sent post if the source of the post is public. Messages will not appear in your feed or in your profile, but only appear on Instagram Direct.

Five Easy Steps To Send Instagram DMs

There are five general ways to send a direct message (DM) on Instagram. These are easy and basic ways to send messages.

1. Go to your home page (tap the home button which is at the lower left corner of the screen) and then you can either swipe right or tap the paper airplane icon at the top-right corner of the screen to enter Instagram Direct. You can tap a person or you can start a new message by tapping the button at the top-right corner of the screen and enter one or more accounts and then send a message.
2. When you see something from your feed and you would like to send the post to someone or to a group privately, you send the post by tapping the paper airplane icon underneath the post. Then you can send the post to anyone or to a group. Use the search button to find the account that you’re looking for. You can also send an additional message by typing your message at the “write a message” portion.
3. Open a page on Instagram. It could be an account that you clicked while scrolling in your feed, or it could be an account that appeared in your search button. You can see a “message” button as you enter in the page of the account. Click the “message” button and now you can send a message to that account.
4. This one is similar to number three. As you enter the page you will see three dots at the top right corner of your screen. Click that button and it will give you different options. One of those options is “send profile as message.” Click that option when you want to send that particular Instagram profile to someone or to a group.
5. You can share hashtags and locations as messages. Open the Instagram search page. (Hint: It’s the magnifying glass icon). Go to tags and places and choose a hashtag or location, or search for a hashtag or location. You will see a paper airplane icon at the top-right of the screen on the selected hashtag or location and as you click that icon you can send the hashtag to anyone.

These simple steps are very easy to follow and as you learn and do these steps you have already known the basics of sending messages on Instagram! But as you know the basics and the more you discover more about Instagram and ways of sending messages on Instagram, you will realize some things that you can’t actually do when sending Instagram messages. Let us help you discover that.

What You Can And Can’t Do When Using Instagram Direct

Before we discuss the things that you can’t do in sending Instagram messages, let us first explore the things that you can do and how you can do it. Here are these things:

• You can unsend a message (could be a text, photo, or video) by holding the message and pressing the “Unsend Message” button. It basically removes the message and once removed, the receiver and sender could not see the message anymore.
• You can send messages or even receive messages even if you don’t follow them or if they don’t follow you. The account will receive a message request and the account will be able to read the message before accepting the message request.
• You will be able to know if the person has read your message. There is a “seen” indicator at the bottom of the latest message and the icon of the receiver will be visible as an indicator of a read message. You can also check the time of delivery of the message and the time the account read your message by swiping right.
• The search button will help you find a piece of information that you need. This will be handy if you forgot who sent that particular message to you.

These are some things that you can do when using Instagram Direct. Now, here are the things that you can’t do when using this feature, and maybe one or two of these things could be a major blow for you.

• You cannot send a direct message using a laptop or a computer. Sending an Instagram message is only possible through the app.
• You also cannot check and read an Instagram message from a website when using a computer. Again, the feature is only available in the app so you can only read DMs by using the app from the phone.
• Although there are tricks in sending a message on Instagram using a computer (which will be discussed later), you still can’t send photo or video files coming from your computer. The messaging feature is still limited.

These things could be a major disadvantage for some, particularly those who are frequently using  Instagram in the computer. Unlike other social media sites like Facebook or Twitter where you can still use the messaging feature both in the app and in the computer through a browser, Instagram’s messaging feature could only be used when using the app in the phone. This is actually a way to encourage users to use the app instead of using the website. After all, using the app is still worth it and it gives you a full experience of sharing photos to everyone. But there are some useful hacks to send and check messages using a computer.

Some Useful Instagram DM Hacks

For those who are using Windows 10, you can go to the Microsoft App Store website or application (you can search it by pressing the Windows button) and download the Instagram app. Once downloaded, you can now launch the application, allow permissions such as gaining access to your existing contacts, and sign in to your account. You can now read and send messages using the app!

You can send photos and videos through the camera of your computer (if you have one). It only requires a few steps in setting up the camera and the microphone. Allowing some permissions will make the entire process run more smoothly.

You can also send Instagram messages using Facebook. In the first place, you can sync your Instagram account with your Facebook account. That is why when you post something on Instagram, the post will also appear on Facebook. Now, you can check and send messages through a Facebook page. First is that you must ensure that you’re managing a Facebook page. A page admin can look at and send Instagram messages through the page’s inbox. Now it would be easy and convenient for you to use both Facebook and Instagram, especially in your computer!

Another Useful Hack: Reading Instagram Messages Secretly

You already know that your message has been opened and read by the recipient through some indicators. That’s a helpful feature because at least you know that the recipient had already received the message. But what if the recipient wants to have time to construct his or reply to you? What if the recipient wants to read the message without informing the sender that the message has been read and opened? What if that recipient is you? Maybe these hacks could help:

1. Usually, direct messages often appears at the notification bar or section of your phone. You can check the message by looking at the notification. Don’t click the notification, as it will lead you to the message itself! You can also respond to the message with a photo or video without opening the app or the message itself. Simply tap the camera icon on the notification.
2. This one is a tricky process. Be sure to do the procedure step-by-step.

If you are able to follow the process, then you are successful! If not, well, you will be able to see the message; better luck next time.

1. Go to your inbox.
2. Disconnect from the internet first before opening the new message. Make sure that you’re not connected to the internet as you read the message. You can simply disconnect by setting your phone to Airplane Mode.
3. Open the message. It is now safe to read the message without the fear of getting it seen.
4. Once you’ve finished reading, log out of your Instagram account. Go to your profile page, tap the three dots at the top-right corner of the screen, then tap “Settings,” and then tap “Log Out.”
5. Reconnect to the internet once you’ve logged out of your account. You can actually check whether your recipient has already seen the message by logging in to your account and checking your inbox.

Conclusion

Now there you have it! You learned five ways on how to send direct messages on Instagram. Additionally, you found out what kind of messages can you send to others. Not only that, you also read a list of what you can and can’t do when using Instagram Direct. You even learned a hack on how to make “impossible” things possible! Lastly, you also learned how to read direct messages secretly! Now that’s quite an all-in-one package, wouldn’t you agree? We hope that you can use what you read here when you send a message to someone on Instagram!

In recent years, Instagram has seen exponential growth- from one million users in December 2010 to over one billion active users at the beginning of 2019. You heard that right, there are one billion Instagram users as of 2019. It has become the top social media platform for photo-sharing- no other app comes close. Initially only available on the iOs for iPhone users, it has also become available for Android users in 2012. In April of that year, social media giant Facebook bought Instagram for $1 billion.

Instagram has become so popular that it has become a cultural icon spawning phrases like, “Do it for the ‘gram” which means, “Do something so we can take a picture and post it on Instagram.”

If you still are not part of the one billion-strong community on Instagram, you might want to reconsider. Instagram is an excellent way to stay updated on your loved ones everyday activities. Moreover, you can follow your favorite celebrities to see candid photos of their everyday lives- see Justin Bieber’s latest vacation photos or watch backstage footage from Selena Gomez’s latest music video in her Instagram Stories. In addition, Instagram is also the go-to platform for brands to give consumers updates on their latest products and advocacies.

If by now we have convinced you to sign up on Instagram, but you are not too sure on how to go about it, we are more than happy to show you the ropes! This “Instagram for Dummies” article will cover the basics of using Instagram, and before you know it, you have already become a pro user!

Instagram For Dummies: Setting Up Your Account

Naturally, before you can do pretty much anything on the platform, you have to create an Instagram account first. Frankly, you don’t really need a guide to tell you how to accomplish this crucial first step. If you’ve ever used any kind of social media whatsoever in the last, oh, five, ten years or so, then you already know how this goes. For the sake of thoroughness, though, we’ll cover this section quickly.

Using your smartphone, tablet, or any other mobile device, download the free Instagram app from either the Apple Store or Google Play. Once the app is downloaded and installed on your Android or iOS device, open it and follow these steps:

1. If you are on desktop, click “Log in with Facebook”, or fill out the form with your mobile number or email, name, username, and password.
2. Click “Sign up”.
3. On Android, click “Sign Up With Email or Phone Number”, if you are using an iPhone, select “Create New Account”.
4. Enter your email address and phone number, then click “Next”. You can also sign up with your Facebook account on the app.
5. Once you have filled out your username and password, you will be instructed to fill out your profile info. Then, tap “Done”. Make sure the username you choose is recognizable and is as close to your business or organization’s name as possible.
6. If you register with Facebook, you will need to log into your Facebook account if you are currently logged out.

Instagram For Dummies: Customizing Notifications

Why Customize Your Notifications?

Once you have successfully set up your Instagram account, you might want to customize your notifications so you only receive the information you want. For example, you can choose to receive notifications when you get likes from everyone, but, alternatively, you can opt to only receive notifications when you get a like from someone you follow. You may even turn off notifications for likes altogether.

You can adjust notifications to “Off”, “From People I Follow”, or “From Everyone”, for the following: Comments, Comment Likes, Likes and Comments on Photos of You, Follower Requests, Accepted Follow Requests, Friends on Instagram, Instagram Direct, Photos of You, Reminders, First Posts and Stories, Product Announcements, View Counts, Support Requests, Live Videos, Mentions in Bio, IGTV Video Updates, and Video Chats.

If you are unsure of which notifications you want to receive or not, you might start with your notifications on “From Everyone”, and if certain notifications begin to annoy you, you can choose to turn them off later.

Customizing Your Notifications

To customize which notifications you receive, follow these quick and easy steps:

1. Go to your personal account by tapping on the person icon at the bottom right of your screen.
2. Then, click the “Settings” icon (the gear icon beside “Edit Profile”)

3. Scroll down to “Push Notification Settings”
4. Check off the notifications you want to receive.

How To Connect to Other Social Accounts

Now, let us look into how you can connect your other social media accounts to your Instagram, so when you post an image, you can share it with your other online audiences, as well, like on Facebook and Twitter for instance.

To link your other social media accounts to your Instagram, follow these steps:

1. Go to “Settings”.
2. Click “Linked Accounts”.
3. Select which social media channels you would like to link your Instagram account to.

Instagram For Dummies: Uploading Content

Uploading and Posting an Image

It is now time for the most important part- uploading and posting photos on Instagram.

Instagram is a highly visual platform. Facebook relies on both text and pictures, whereas Twitter relies mostly on text alone. Instagram, on the other hand, shines the spotlight on photos (or videos).

If on Facebook you could put as many photos as you want in an album or on your wall. On Instagram, you need to be choosier about which photos you post. Instagram is a whole different ball game compared to Facebook.

On IG, it would be wiser to avoid posting more than once a day and too many similar photos. It would be quite strange for you to post ten photos from the same beach vacation on your Instagram. Instead, you might choose just one or two. This is also because a diverse overall profile aesthetic is preferable on Instagram.

So now, you are ready to upload, edit, and post an image on your Instagram account:

1. Click the “+” icon at the bottom center of your screen.
2. Here, you have three options. You can look through the photo library on your phone, you can take a new picture from right within Instagram using your phone’s camera, or you can take a new video.
3. You can also choose to upload multiple photos by tapping on the three-frame icon and selecting the photos that you want to upload from your cameral roll.
4. Then click “Next” on the top right.
5. There are two categories you can use to edit your image: “Filter” and “Edit”. Instagram shows you the filters first. You can scroll through the carousel and click any of the filters. If you want to use a filter but you want to tone it down, double tap on it.
6. Next, click “Edit”. Here, you can adjust contrast, brightness, structure, warmth, and more.
7. When you are satisfied with your edited image, or if you do not want to edit it at all, click “Next” on the top right.
8. Now, you can add a caption, tag people (you can only tag someone if they also have an Instagram account), or add a location. Click the button beside Facebook or another linked social media account to share your image on that platform, too.
9. When you are ready to post, click “Share” on the top right.

Uploading an Image or Video to Your Stories

Since 2016 when Instagram launched “Stories”, this feature has become a mega-hit. Similar to Snapchat, Instagram Stories is a feature that allows you to post videos or images that disappear after 24 hours. On IG Stories, users often post more casual and candid videos and images, offering other users a sneak peek into their everyday lives.

To upload an image or video to your Stories, follow these steps:

1. Click the camera icon on the top left.
2. Once you are already within the Stories feature, you can take a picture or video right from within the app. Alternatively, if you have an image saved to your phone that you would like to use, click the small square in the bottom left corner.
3. Click on a photo you would like to use in your Stories.
4. On the top right corner, you have a selection of different editing tools. The smiley face lets you add a location, hashtag, time, date, and other fun images or emojis to your picture. The pencil icon lets you handwrite or draw on your image. The “Aa” icon is your text button so you can type a caption. Once you click “Aa”, you have the option to change your font by clicking “Classic” at the top. You have a total of five fonts to choose from on Instagram Stories.
5. If you click the smiley face icon, tap on one of the icons to add them to your image. If you do not like what you chose, drag it to the bottom and a trash can will appear so you can delete it.
6. You can also swipe to the left or right to add filters to your photo or video.
7. Once you are happy with your content, you can either click the “+ Your Story” icon on the bottom left, which shares your Story with everyone who follows you, or you can select “Send To” to send the post to a specific user.

Instagram for Dummies: Expanding Your Network

Of course, you can’t spend the rest of your Instagram existence liking and commenting on your own pictures. (Quite honestly, that’s just sad, isn’t it?)

Following Other Users

Now that you already know how to post photos, videos, and Instagram Stories, it is time to follow other users! It is actually quite easy to find and follow users. Instagram’s search feature allows you to find celebrities, brands, family, and friends.

You can search “Tags” or “Places”. “Tags” is particularly useful if you know what type of content you want to find, and you would like to discover more information or valuable content related to it.

To follow an account, just perform these three easy steps.

1. Click on the search icon at the bottom of your screen (the magnifying glass icon).
2. Next, key in a person or brand. Alternatively, you could click “Tags” or “Places” to search those categories.
3. Once you are on someone else’s account, you will see a blue “Follow” button at the top. For public profiles, you can click and immediately begin following that account. However, if the profile is private, you may need to wait for them to accept you first.

Instagram For Dummies: One Final Tip

For more choices on whom you can follow, you can tap the Explore tab at the bottom of your app (the star icon). The photos that show up here are images that the Instagram people deem the most interesting recent photos from the people they think are most worthy of following. The photos that show up at Explore come from all over the world and not just from your immediate social network.

Phew! That was fast! Now you are all set! See, it is incredibly easy to get started on using Instagram. Now you are on your way to becoming an expert in navigating the wonderful world of Instagram. You can now stay updated on what family, friends, and your favorite celebrities are doing; and in turn you can update them on the latest happenings in your life. Thanks for reading our “Instagram for dummies” guide, and have fun!

Just last year, there was this famous bank in the Philippines that got caught in an intriguing money laundering issue. Money laundering is, from the wording itself, mixing in illicit money with legitimate cash flow, therefore “cleaning” your money in the process. The money was apparently coursed over multiple banks and networks, making it whiter than snow by the time it arrived at its final destination. (If you’re a frequent reader of this blog, you know how fond I am of providing context and stories before getting to the meat of the discussion. You’ll get tips on using Instagram for PC in a bit, I promise. Just stay with me, okay?)

Anyway. Over $81 billion worth of assets have been successfully withdrawn through the bank in 2016, making it quite the money heist. It was all done digitally through some expert hackwork, and it even involved multiple lawsuits, hearings, and banks!

For bank patrons, this is definitely a nightmare. What if the bank was sued so hard it decided to claim bankruptcy? What if you’re an honest-to-goodness stock broker that invests in a bank, and then you learn this news over your morning coffee? It’s definitely a day breaker for most of us, and we can only imagine how bad this is in the face of the executives of that bank. Who would trust you after that? Even your foreign clients are at risk.

The Big Bank Makeover

A year later, the said bank underwent a makeover. It had the whole shebang; left and right press releases, new taglines, lots of interviews with bigwigs. Even the logo was stripped clean and was under a new color with a slimmer look. This has been the company’s eighth change of branding. The funny thing is, it worked and it will continue to work no matter how big the blunder or how bad the reputation of your brand is. Reputations are public perceptions. Perceptions drive change, business, and ideas from head to heart.

This brings us to today’s topic: branding. Corporate branding is an important tool for any business regardless of size and industry. Your branding affects not just how people see you from outside, but also how your own people inside perceive you, your values, and your reputation. Like a country’s flag, your brand aesthetic and messages define the business as much as you define it. That’s why rebrandings are quite the expensive spectacles. It costs the hiring of think tanks, resources, and most of all, your previous brand capital would be at risk. Your brand is a promise, and promises are best seen than, well, promised.

Your Branding On Instagram For PC And Mobile

There are over 190 million companies in the world. Basically, you’re just one of an entire ocean of them.

Regardless if you were divided in different fields or sectors, you are still competing for people’s money and affection. How does one stand in the face of it all? What can you do to make your brand different and actually stand out against the competition? You guessed it right: branding.

We are under the assumption that A) you are an excellent provider of service or goods no matter what your actual niche is, and B) you actually have an honest disposition as seen in your company mission and vision. The next step is to build your brand.

But herein lies the question: How exactly do we build a brand? Let’s take a look at three easy steps.

Step 1. Start with your own Brand Audit.

This is the fun part. We might sound like an old guru of sorts, but before you build on how people see you, you must first see yourself. The first step in looking deep intrapersonally is to do an audit. No no, don’t worry, this audit is not the painful, accounting kind. Audits reveal a lot of unseen or forgotten values in companies. This audit is all about analyzing your company. Ask your employees, or ask your co-founders as well. The important thing is that you get to ask them these five questions:

1. What do we provide the best?
2. Who do we talk to first if we want to sell our products?
3. What’s our weaknesses?
4. What is our most consistent strength as a brand?
5. How do we see ourselves as a symbol (or aesthetically)?

Now hopefully, these questions will start you on building or rebuilding your values from the core.

Step 2. Bring them the Aesthetics!

Remember the question above? Who do you want to attract as customers? These are the guys who you want to aesthetically associate with. What are their behaviors? What are their attitudes when it comes to spending? You see, markets have a distinct preference when it comes to logos. In the 70s, the curvy, groovy fonts and logos were all the rage! They had rather contrasting color choices, consistent with the rebellious nature of the people then.

In the 80s, brands liked to use negative space. Like, a LOT. It’s as if every logo incorporated that smart, albeit overused, technique during that time period. Though if I were to be perfectly honest, these logos are a bit jarring to look at now. Even way back then, they looked a bit too “computerized” because that was the emerging tech of the decade.

Let’s fast forward a bit to 2018. From 2018 to present, we love minimalist art. We watch Marie Kondo, declutter every season, and honestly, we’re running out of space to live in. Take a look at some of the trending branding designs in the present:

Being aware of your colors, visuals, and self-assessments can bring a world of difference. After you’ve found your visual center, you now need to step your brand up a notch.

Step 3. Reach out and get out!

The last step is all about putting yourself out there! Reach the farthest recesses of your niche. Make sure that you’re the top-of-mind brand and vision. Take up space, set-up some tarps, and let your brand sing. The longer you hold on to that brand, the better your grasp in the market is. This also spells consistency and this is your friend. Can you imagine if KFC suddenly switched their colors to pink and white? That would be so weird and quite unimaginable.

Getting Your Brand On Instagram For PC And Mobile

Great, so is that it? My business is already sporting the best location there is!

Now most people think, “Hey, I’m pretty well-known in my city, I think I can do well here!” That’s correct. One of the best ways to market yourself (sometimes for free) is through your common location and connections. That’s why bars hire only the best bartenders that are excellent conversationalists, too! You build a bond with your market by just checking in with their day once they enter your shop. If you see them at the local grocery store, a simple wave is already your brand that you are a good-natured salesman. So that’s the first one: building conversations in your locale.

Next, you need to build your brand online. If you’re already a successful business owner wherever you are, you might think that this is a waste of time. We will actually agree with you, if your only business goal is to reach a few hundred people at most. Your niches will either grow smaller every year, or just retain its size. But what if you are thinking of spreading your services to other states? What do you do? How do you attract them?

First, the website. Then, the world.

Did you know that 88% of consumers check out a product online first before deciding a purchase? That’s the world we live in right now, folks. We are in an e-commerce community where we value peer-reviews the most, and not just the cool pictures of the product we see in brochures (like those old make-up catalogues in the last two decades). Once they type out, “Best shoe shops in my location” in a search engine, the first access point is your website. Going with the flow in making your own website is a timeless recommendation we’re going to make.

Not all websites are created equal, though.

Consumers are very picky when it comes to your website. Interesting tidbit: websites that load for more than two seconds are likely to be abandoned by 47% of users. Also, something a bit more alarming: it only takes .05 seconds for them to judge your website, and your branding plays a huge role in this. But of course, once you get the right branding, this is not an issue anymore.

Judgmental customers aside, you also have to reach social media when it comes to branding. Social media is like today’s television. If brands wanted to make impressions before, you had to have a lot of moolah just to get a 10-second break in prime time. Now, social media takes care of your brand marketing, and it does it for free. Of course, you can pay to turn splashes to waves, but that’s another story. If you’re thinking of which social media channel to use first, we recommend Instagram. That’s right: We mean Instagram for PC and mobile audiences.

Why You Should Be On Instagram For PC And Mobile Users

1. Instagram has over 1 billion active users, so it’s an excellent choice for brand exposure.
2. In those 1 billion active users, 33% of those make purchases by what they see on Instagram.
3. Around 75% of Instagram users take action (e.g. visit a website, click a link) after looking at an ad.

The challenge is, Instagram works in two platforms: Mobile and Desktop. Getting the hang of mobile marketing is actually faster. The real challenge is how to make your brand shine in desktop.

Why should your brand even consider Instagram desktop users? Well for one, employees are more likely to get caught using their phones at work and it’s a lot easier to fake working on a laptop… Okay, that was a joke (kinda). Users using Instagram on desktop are actually a bit more dedicated on the platform. The Verge actually did an interview with some of its employees in Racked. Eliza is a fan of the desktop platform of Instagram, and she enumerated some of the advantages of it in the big screen then the mobile one.

How Instagram For PC Beats Mobile

1. The images are bigger, more lifelike, and elicit more commitment from users. She likens it to reading a magazine.
2. Controls are less clunky. No more accidentally liking an image from over 100 weeks ago!
3. Desktop is quieter, and more intimate. Push notifications are minimal (unless of course you allow them notifications), and users are naturally more relaxed.
4. You can post longer videos on IGTV! This is great for vloggers!
5. For serious content creators, using Instagram on desktop makes it easier to transfer images from Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom to the site.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve had ideas for your brand audit and had a bit more time to take a look at your brand from an intrapersonal and a public perspective, you hopefully were a bit more aware of its importance. Start your branding through an audit, tinker with your colors and shapes and visuals, and present yourself proudly to the world. All businesses deserve that advantage, including yours!

A business is bigger than its sales; aesthetics can bridge the gap between an effective service provider and an expanding market. We hope that through this article, you can adapt your brand for Instagram and dominate both mobile and desktop at the same time to grow!

Now a one billion-strong application, Instagram under normal circumstances, works seamlessly and without a hitch. You could spend hours upon hours on the app scrolling through a seemingly endless feed without encountering a glitch. However, as in all applications, you are bound to encounter a problem at one point (but we are hoping that you would not).

So, how do you contact Instagram for help with your account? Or if another account is causing you trouble, how do you report that account? We have compiled the most common questions asked when trying to contact Instagram to report problems. We hope that you find this article useful!

Instagram Help: How To Contact Support And Get Prompt Assistance

This 2019, Instagram has broken through the one billion mark. Assuming the number were exactly one billion active users, and that every user had to contact Instagram for help once per year, that would still mean 2,739,726 inquiries per day. Needless to say, that is a LOT.

So do not be disappointed if Instagram does not have a customer support team ready to provide users with human-aided support should they encounter problems with their accounts. It is quite unfortunate that there is no way to directly contact Instagram.

Before you get the wrong impression: No, that doesn’t mean Instagram isn’t willing to help you solve your problems. What that means, though, is that there is no way you can directly call, text, or email the company. Likewise, you cannot speak to an employee or affiliate of Instagram.

Sure, Instagram has a direct phone number and email — their contact phone number is (650) 543-4800, and their contact email is support@instagram.com — but it is highly unlikely that you will get a response from a human being through these channels.

Don’t Worry, Help Is Still On The Way

Fret not users! You can use Instagram’s Help Center to diagnose and/ or report a problem. To be fair, Instagram’s help center is helpful, detailed and can answer most questions. It is also designed in such a way that it is easy for you to report issues with content you see on the site.

However, keep in mind that Instagram has a staggering number of users. It might take some time for you to get a response if you contact them through email, unless you are reporting a concern of huge magnitude or a security breach. Also, you are probably more likely to receive faster support if you are a verified user of Instagram.

At the very least, Instagram’s Help functions are available for both iPhone and Android apps, as well as through the desktop website.

How To Get Instagram Support Via The Smartphone App

These are the quick steps on how you can get help with your account through the Instagram app:

1. Open the Instagram app and then tap the person icon in the bottom-right corner.
2. Tap the three parallel bars in the top-right corner.
3. Then, tap “Settings” (the gear icon) at the bottom of the menu.
4. Afterwards, tap “Help” (the question mark icon) on the next screen.
5. Select “Help Center,” and from there you can browse by topic, narrowing in on your specific concern

How To Access Instagram Help On A Desktop Computer

You can still access Instagram Help if you are more comfortable using Instagram on your desktop computer. You can pretty much navigate through most of the same steps as above on your Instagram account on a desktop computer, but the quicket way to the help center is by keying in https://help.instagram.com into your navigation bar.

From there, you can search for the answer to your concern/ issue.

How To Report An Instagram Issue And Get Help

There are instances when your account is not the one causing you problems, but other users’. Let us say you see a post that you think violates Instagram’s rules. It could be spam or it can be a post that has inappopriate or malicious content. If this is the case, just tap the three little dots at the top right of the post, tap “Report,” and then select the reason why you are reporting said post.

You can also report issues through the Help Center. The best way to get active support from Instagram is to report a specific issue. Make sure you have a strong and legitimate grievance before going through the following steps:

1. Go to the Help Center as previously outlined.
2. Click “Privacy and Safety Center” on the left-hand menu.
3. Click “Report Something” on the left-hand menu.
4. Select the type of issue, then follow the steps from this point on to report the issue.

How To Contact Instagram And Submit A Support Ticket

To submit a support ticket on Instagram follow these steps:

1. Go to help.instagram.com
2. On the left-hand side, click “Privacy and Safety Center”
3. Click “Report Something”
4. Select the type of issue you are experiencing
5. Look for a link that says report it
6. Fill out the form and hit send

You can also do this (albeit with lesser options) directly on the Instagram mobile app. The steps there are:

1. Go to your “Profile”
2. Tap “Settings” at the top right
3. Scroll down to “Support > Report a Problem”
4. Follow the instructions

Instagram is a very vibrant and versatile social media platform. There is so much you can do. You can share photos, videos, and Instagram Stories (which has become a mammoth hit, almost completely decimating rival Snapchat). Because of Instagram’s highly entertaining quality, it has attracted legions upon legions of users from all walks of life. The astounding number of users, however, also means that there is a long list of possible issues that may arise from technical concerns to irresponsible users to something as grave as human trafficking and self-harm.

The Different Types Of Issues You Can Report To Instagram

These are the following issues and concerns you could seek Instagram Help for:

1. Hacked Accounts – Select this option if you think that your account has been hacked. A hacked account should be reported as soon as possible as it may compromise personal information and access to personal photos and direct messages.
2. Impersonation Accounts – Select this option if you have evidence of an account impersonating or posing as you. It may be an account using your personal photos and information. These accounts may be used to fool followers into donating money and other similar scams.
3. Underage Users – Click this option if you stumbled upon an account belonging to someone under the age of 13. Do note that Instagram requires everyone to be at least 13 years old before they can create an account (in some jurisdictions, the age limit may be higher).
4. Hate Accounts – Click this option to report a hate-speech account. Hate speech includes racial slurs; language discriminating against gender, religion, nationality; profanity and similar other inappropriate use of language.
5. Exposed Private Information – Select this option if you encounter someone posting a user’s private information (e.g., home address, mobile number, email address).
6. Self-Injury – Click this option to report posts in which another user is clearly harming themselves (or others).
7. Abuse & Spam – Click this option to report abuse, spam, or harassment.
8. Exploitation – Select this option to view resources regarding reporting human trafficking.
9. Other – Click this option if your reason for contacting Instagram is not part of the list.

Why Isn’t Instagram Responding?

So you’ve done what you could. You’ve sent a message and gone through the appropriate channels. Hours pass, then days. Then, you start to wonder: Did Instagram really get my call for help? And if so, then why isn’t anyone helping me yet?

There are two possible answers to this. First, Instagram probably does not consider your concern as high priority. Second–and this might sting quite a bit–you are just one of a billion active users on Instagram.

Chances are, there are hundreds, even thousands, of other users who are also trying to contact Instagram regarding their account-related concerns at the same time as you are. It is a mammoth responsibility to cater to every user’s request even for a company that is as big as Instagram, so do not expect lightning quick responsiveness from them. Sad, but true (and realistic).

Some Useful Alternatives to Instagram Help

As already mentioned, Instagram is teeming with active users. Because of the sheer number of users, Instagram’s customer service is not as responsive as you would want it to be, and it is highly likely that you would not be assisted by a customer service representative.

So if you do not want to just sit back and wait for the Instagram gods to respond to your queries or address your concerns, you may want to look elsewhere for answers.

You could start with Instagram’s Help Portal at help.instagram.com. You can type your question at the top and see if there is any answer to your concerns. This portal is actually quite helpful. There is a good chance you would find answers to your concerns here.

You could also try messaging Instagram’s Facebook page or Twitter account. Reddit and Quora are also very helpful sites. Just post your questions and most likely, users would come and try to help you out and they are usually armed with technical or practical knowledge. These sites also have a rich archive of questions and answers. There is a possibility that your concern has already been raised and answered before, all you need is scour the sites and hope you find something useful.

How To Contact Instagram Via The Facebook Ads Account Manager

If you are spending a considerable amount of money on FB/IG ads, you will be assigned a Facebook Ad Account Manager. You can try submitting your question/concern through them.

Since it is in Facebook’s best interest to keep you happy (because being happy means you would be more willing to spend more money), they will probably get back to you quickly.

Quick Answers To Commonly Asked Questions

What is the Instagram customer support number?

It is 650-543-4800. (Again, you would be directed to an automated response, no human beings here, my dear friend.)

How do you get verified on Instagram?

Want to get that nice, fancy checkmark that most celebrities have on their Instagram handles? Or perhaps, you’re running a business, and you just want to prevent copycats. Well, you can apply for Instagram verification inside the app.

How long does it take to hear back from Instagram support?

While Instagram does try to address all queries and issues promptly, consider the sheer number of users contacting them daily. It’s realistic to expect that it will take them about one week to respond to you. Beyond that, feel free to contact them again.

How to report a bug/technical issue to Instagram?

You can do it through the mobile app.

1. Go to your profile and tap “Settings”.
2. Tap “Help > Report a Problem”, then follow the on-screen instructions

Make sure to include as much detail about the problem as possible in your report. Information like the kind of phone or tablet you were using, the device’s version, and what you were doing when the problem occurred can help IG better understand the bug.

To Sum It All Up: Instagram Help In A Nutshell

As with all major companies, Instagram has a phone number and support email address, so it is technically possible to contact Instagram, but it is not very likely that you will get a human response. The Instagram Help Center can be accessed via the iPhone and Android apps, or through the desktop website, and has answers to most questions a user will have.

Always remember that you can report specific issues, such as a potential copyright violation, a hacked account, or inappropritae content through Instagram’s reporting feature, which is more likely to earn a response. Alternatively, you can scour the Internet for answers if you are not too willing to wait for Instagram to get back to you.