Instagram: Complete Beginner's Guide

What is this in plain English?

Think of Instagram as a digital photo album that you share with friends, family, and sometimes strangers who have similar interests. It's like those Kodak slide shows from the 1970s where you'd invite people over to see your vacation pictures—except now people can look at your photos anytime from their own homes, and you can see theirs too.

Instead of physical photographs, you post pictures from your phone's camera. Instead of mailing copies to relatives, they can see them instantly. And instead of writing on the back of a photo, you write captions underneath.

The app is owned by Facebook (now called Meta), so if you have a Facebook account, Instagram works similarly.

Before You Start: What Instagram Is and Isn't

Instagram is for:

• Sharing photos and short videos with people you choose
• Keeping up with grandchildren, friends, and hobbies
• Following interests like gardening, cooking, travel, or crafts
• Seeing what local businesses, organizations, or celebrities are doing

Instagram is NOT:

• A replacement for phone calls or in-person visits
• A place where you have to post something every day
• Required to have—plenty of people live perfectly happy lives without it
• Something you need to understand every feature of to enjoy

You can use Instagram as much or as little as you want. There's no pressure to post anything at all—many people just use it to look at other people's photos.

Step 1: Download and Install Instagram

First, you need to get the app onto your phone or tablet.

On an iPhone or iPad:

1. Find and tap the App Store icon (it's blue with a white "A" made of sticks)
2. Tap the Search icon at the bottom (looks like a magnifying glass)
3. Tap the search bar at the top and type Instagram
4. Tap the Instagram result (it has a camera icon with rainbow colors: purple, pink, orange, and yellow)
5. Tap Get (it will turn blue)
6. You might need to confirm with your fingerprint, face, or Apple ID password
7. Wait for it to download—you'll see a circle filling up
8. When it says Open, tap it

On an Android phone or tablet:

1. Find and tap Play Store (it's a colorful triangle icon)
2. Tap the search bar at the top
3. Type Instagram
4. Tap the Instagram result (rainbow camera icon)
5. Tap Install (green button)
6. Wait for it to download and install
7. Tap Open when it appears

The Instagram icon will now appear on your home screen. It looks like a camera with a rainbow gradient of purple, pink, orange, and yellow.

Safety Alert: Only download Instagram from the official App Store (iPhone) or Play Store (Android). If someone sends you a link to download it from anywhere else, don't click it—it could be a scam.

Step 2: Create Your Account

Now let's get you set up with an account. You'll need an email address or phone number.

1. Tap the Instagram icon to open it
2. Tap Sign Up (don't tap "Log In"—that's for people who already have accounts)
3. You'll be asked how you want to sign up—tap Email or Phone Number (whichever you prefer)
4. Type in your email address or phone number
5. Tap Next
6. Check your email or text messages for a confirmation code (a series of numbers)
7. Type that code into Instagram
8. Create a password—it needs at least 6 characters (letters, numbers, or symbols)
9. Write your password down on paper and keep it somewhere safe
10. Tap Next

Next, you'll choose your username:

1. Type a username—this is your Instagram "handle" (like @YourName)
2. It can be your actual name, a nickname, or anything you like
3. If someone already has that username, Instagram will suggest alternatives
4. Don't worry too much—you can change this later
5. Tap Next

Then add your personal information:

1. Type your real name (this helps friends find you)
2. Tap Next
3. Instagram will ask to access your contacts—tap Not Now unless you want to connect with people immediately
4. Choose a profile picture by tapping Add Photo (you can skip this and add one later)

Congratulations! You now have an Instagram account.

Pro Tip: Your username appears with an @ symbol before it (like @JohnSmith). This is how people will find and tag you. Your real name also appears on your profile, but it's larger and easier to read.

Step 3: Understand the Instagram Home Screen

When you open Instagram, you'll see several icons at the bottom of the screen. Let's learn what each one does.

Home icon (looks like a little house—far left):

• This shows you a feed of photos from people you follow
• It's like a newspaper made of pictures
• Scroll down to see more photos

Search icon (looks like a magnifying glass—second from left):

• This helps you find people, topics, or businesses
• You can search for friends' names, interests like "gardening," or places like "Paris"

Plus sign in a square (middle icon):

• This is how you post your own photos
• Tap it when you want to share something

Reels icon (looks like a movie clapperboard or play button—second from right):

• This shows short videos
• Like YouTube clips, but usually 15-90 seconds long
• You can skip this entirely if videos don't interest you

Profile icon (looks like a person's silhouette—far right):

• This shows YOUR profile
• Tap it to see photos you've posted and edit your information

At the top of your home screen, you'll also see small circles with people's profile pictures. These are "Stories"—photos or videos that disappear after 24 hours. We'll explain those later.

Step 4: Find and Follow People

Following someone means their photos will appear in your home feed. Let's find some people to follow.

To search for someone specific:

1. Tap the Search icon (magnifying glass) at the bottom
2. Tap the search bar at the top
3. Type a person's name, like "Mary Johnson" or a business name
4. Tap Accounts to see people, not just photos
5. Tap on the person you're looking for to see their profile
6. Tap Follow (the blue button)

To find friends from your contacts:

1. Tap your Profile icon (bottom right)
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu button) in the top right corner
3. Tap Discover People
4. Instagram will show you people from your phone's contacts who have Instagram
5. Tap Follow next to anyone you want to follow

To find suggested accounts:

1. Tap the Search icon at the bottom
2. Scroll down to see suggestions based on your interests
3. Tap any profile that looks interesting
4. Tap Follow if you like what you see

You can unfollow anyone at any time—they won't be notified.

Pro Tip: Start by following 10-20 people: family members, a few friends, maybe a hobby or two (like a gardening expert or a cooking page). Don't follow too many at once or your feed will be overwhelming.

Step 5: Understanding Photos in Your Feed

When you scroll through your home feed, here's what you'll see on each photo:

Top of the photo:

• The person's profile picture (small circle)
• Their username
• How long ago they posted it

The photo itself:

• Tap it twice quickly (double-tap) to "like" it—a heart will appear
• Pinch with two fingers to zoom in

Below the photo, you'll see several icons:

Heart icon (far left):

• Tap once to "like" the photo
• This tells the person you enjoyed their post
• The heart turns red when you've liked it

Speech bubble icon (second from left):

• Tap this to leave a comment
• Like writing a note to the person about their photo

Paper airplane icon (third from left):

• This sends the post to someone else in a private message
• Skip this until you're more comfortable with Instagram

Bookmark icon (far right):

• Tap this to save the post for later
• It's like dog-earing a page in a magazine
• Find saved posts by going to your profile and tapping the bookmark icon there

Caption:

• The text below the photo
• This is where the person describes what's in the picture
• Tap "more" if the caption is cut off

Comments:

• Below the caption, you'll see comments from other people
• Tap "View all X comments" to read them

Step 6: Post Your First Photo

Ready to share a photo? Here's how to do it step by step.

1. Tap the Plus sign at the bottom center of the screen
2. Tap Post at the bottom (not Story or Reel)
3. You'll see photos from your camera roll (the pictures on your phone)
4. Tap the photo you want to share
5. Tap Next in the top right corner
6. You'll see editing options—you can apply filters to change the look of your photo
7. Tap different filters to preview them, or tap Next if you like it as-is
8. Now write a caption (optional but recommended):
   • Tap "Write a caption..."
   • Type what you want to say about the photo
   • Keep it simple: "Beautiful sunset tonight" or "Lunch with Sarah"
9. Tap OK on your keyboard
10. Tap Share in the top right corner

Your photo is now posted! Anyone who follows you can see it in their feed.

Pro Tip: You don't need to post every day, or even every week. Post when you have something you genuinely want to share. Quality over quantity!

Step 7: Interact With Others' Posts

Instagram is more fun when you engage with other people's content.

To like a photo:

• Double-tap the photo quickly, or tap the heart icon below it
• That's it! The person will get a notification that you liked their post

To leave a comment:

1. Tap the speech bubble icon below the photo
2. Type your comment in the box that appears
3. Keep it kind and positive
4. Tap Post when you're done

To reply to someone's comment on your photo:

1. Go to your profile (tap your icon at the bottom right)
2. Tap the heart icon at the top to see notifications
3. Find the comment you want to reply to
4. Tap Reply underneath it
5. Type your response
6. Tap Post

   Important: Once you post a comment, everyone can see it. Don't write anything you wouldn't say to someone's face or wouldn't want strangers to read.

Step 8: Understanding Privacy Settings

Instagram can be public or private. Let's make sure your account is set up the way you want.

To make your account private (recommended for beginners):

1. Tap your Profile icon (bottom right)
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right
3. Tap Settings and privacy
4. Tap Account privacy
5. Toggle Private account to ON (it will turn blue)

When your account is private:

• Only people you approve can see your photos
• When someone wants to follow you, you'll get a request that you can accept or deny
• This gives you control over who sees your content

To control who can see your posts:

• With a private account, only your approved followers see your posts
• With a public account, anyone on Instagram can see your posts
• Public is fine if you only post things you'd be comfortable with strangers seeing

To block someone:

1. Go to their profile
2. Tap the three dots in the top right corner
3. Tap Block
4. Confirm by tapping Block again

They won't be notified, and they won't be able to see your profile or posts anymore.

Step 9: Understanding Stories (Optional)

Stories are photos or videos that disappear after 24 hours. You'll see them as circles at the top of your home screen.

To view someone's Story:

1. Tap their profile picture in the circles at the top of your home screen
2. Watch the Story—it will play automatically
3. Tap the right side of the screen to go to the next Story
4. Tap the left side to go back
5. Swipe down or wait for it to finish to exit

To post your own Story:

1. Tap your profile picture in the circles at the top (it will say "Your story")
2. Take a photo by tapping the white circle, or choose one from your camera roll
3. Add text or drawings if you want (optional)
4. Tap Your story at the bottom to share it
5. Remember: it disappears in 24 hours

Stories are less permanent than regular posts, so they're good for everyday moments that aren't "photo album worthy."

Pro Tip: You don't have to use Stories at all. Many people only watch them and never post their own. Do what feels comfortable.

Step 10: Basic Instagram Etiquette

Here are some unwritten rules that will help you use Instagram politely:

Do:

• Like posts from friends and family—it shows you care
• Comment genuinely—"Beautiful photo!" or "Looks delicious!"
• Post what makes you happy
• Be yourself

Don't:

• Comment on someone's appearance unless it's clearly complimentary and appropriate
• Post photos of other people without asking them first
• Share other people's photos without crediting them
• Feel obligated to like or comment on everything

About following back:

• If someone follows you, you don't have to follow them back
• It's perfectly fine to have different numbers of followers and following
• Quality over quantity—follow people whose content you actually enjoy

How to Stay Safe While Using Instagram

Protect your personal information:

• Don't post your address, phone number, or exact location
• Don't announce when you're away from home
• Don't share financial information or photos of credit cards, checks, or bills

Beware of scams:

• If someone you don't know sends you a message asking for money, block them
• If you get a message saying you "won" something, it's almost always a scam
• Instagram will NEVER ask for your password in a message
• If an account claiming to be Instagram Support contacts you, it's fake

Protect your account:

• Never share your password with anyone
• Don't click links in messages from people you don't know
• If you get a strange message from a friend, call them—their account might be hacked
• Log out of Instagram if you're using someone else's phone

Think before you post:

• Once something is on the internet, it's very hard to completely remove it
• Even if you delete a post, someone might have taken a screenshot
• Don't post anything in anger—wait 24 hours and see if you still want to share it
• Assume that anything you post could eventually be seen by anyone

If someone is bothering you:

• Block them immediately (see Step 8)
• Don't engage with trolls or mean comments
• You can delete comments on your own posts by swiping left on them (iPhone) or holding them down (Android)
• Report serious harassment by tapping the three dots on their profile and selecting "Report"

  Safety Alert: If a stranger sends you a message, you don't have to respond. It's perfectly fine to ignore messages from people you don't know. If someone makes you uncomfortable, block them immediately.

Common Questions Answered

"Do I have to post photos to use Instagram?" No! Many people just browse and like other people's photos. It's called "lurking" and it's completely acceptable.

"How often should I post?" There's no rule. Some people post daily, others post once a month. Post when you have something you want to share.

"What if I accidentally like something?" Just unlike it by tapping the heart again. If it was from a while ago and you're worried it looks like you were snooping, just leave it—most people don't notice or care.

"What if I post something and then want to delete it?" You can delete any of your posts anytime. Go to the post, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and tap "Delete."

"Can I use Instagram on my computer?" Yes, you can view Instagram at instagram.com on a computer, but the phone app has more features and is easier to use.

"What are hashtags?" Those are words with # in front, like #sunset or #grandkids. They help people find photos about certain topics. You don't need to use them unless you want strangers to find your posts.

You're Ready to Start!

Instagram can seem overwhelming at first, but remember: you don't need to understand every feature or use it every day. Start small:

1. Follow 10-20 people you care about
2. Spend 10 minutes a day browsing your feed
3. Like posts that make you smile
4. Post a photo when you feel like it—no pressure

Most importantly, make Instagram work for you. It's a tool for staying connected and seeing things that interest you. Use it in whatever way brings you joy, and ignore the rest.

If you ever feel confused or frustrated, take a break. Instagram will still be there when you come back, and there's no prize for figuring it all out in one day. Be patient with yourself, and enjoy the journey!