How to Switch Your Instagram to a Creator Account for Automation

Switching to a Creator account is the first thing to do before setting up any Instagram automation, because Meta's messaging API only works on professional accounts. The switch takes less time than reading this article. Below are the exact taps, the choices you will be asked to make, and what to do straight after so Viralyze can connect and send your first keyword DM.

Step-by-step: switching to a Creator account

1. Open the Instagram app and go to your profile. 2. Tap the menu icon in the top right, then Settings and privacy. 3. Scroll to Account type and tools. 4. Tap Switch to professional account and continue through the intro screens. 5. Choose a category that describes you, such as Coach, Artist, Digital creator or Educator. You can hide the label on your profile if you prefer. 6. Select Creator when asked whether you are a Creator or a Business. 7. Review your contact details; you can leave contact buttons off. 8. Skip connecting a Facebook Page if prompted; it is optional and not needed for automation.

That is the whole process. Your followers, posts and DMs are untouched.

Should I pick Creator or Business?

Pick Creator if you are a person, pick Business if you are a company or a venue. For automation purposes the two are equivalent: both can use the messaging API, both work with Auto-DM apps. If you run a salon under a brand name, Business fits; if you are a fitness trainer posting under your own name, Creator fits.

You can change your mind later in the same settings screen.

What does "professional account" change day to day?

The visible changes are an Insights tab, an optional category label and optional contact buttons. Behind the scenes, your account can now grant permissions to approved apps, which is what makes Auto-DM possible.

Your account does not need to be public to switch, though an automation triggered by comments naturally needs people to be able to see and comment on your posts.

Connecting Viralyze after the switch

With the Creator account live, the connection takes a minute:

1. Open the Viralyze app and tap to connect Instagram. 2. You are taken to Meta's own login screen. Log in there; Viralyze never sees your password. 3. Approve the permissions requested for reading comments and sending replies. 4. Back in the app, create your first automation.

For a first automation, a language tutor might choose her "5 Hindi phrases for travellers" reel, add the keywords "PHRASES" and "list bhejo", and attach a short PDF. The live tester lets her type "phrases pls" and confirm it triggers before switching the automation on. Keywords are not case-sensitive and tolerate typos.

What if the switch option is missing?

If you cannot find Switch to professional account, update the Instagram app first; older versions bury or hide the option. If your account is already professional, the screen will instead show Switch to personal account and the option to change category, which means you are already set and can go straight to connecting Viralyze.

Accounts that are very new may be asked to verify a phone number or email before switching. Complete that and the option appears.

Frequently asked questions

**Is there a cost to switching to a Creator account?** No. Instagram does not charge for professional accounts, and switching back is also free.

**Will my existing automation keep working if I change from Creator to Business?** Yes. Both are professional account types with the same API access, so your automations continue to run.

**Do I have to add a category label to my profile?** You must choose one during the switch, but you can hide it from your profile immediately afterwards.

Start your 7-day free trial of Viralyze, no card needed, and connect your new Creator account the same afternoon.