As a business getting started with promoting your craft on Instagram, you’ll need to know which categories to use when uploading content related to your business. The category you choose can affect how the algorithm treats your content, who sees it, and where it’s placed in people’s feeds.
You must have seen various business profiles on Instagram with different categories mentioned in the bio section. For example, schools and coaching institutes go into the education category, while jewellery will go into accessories. Knowing all Instagram categories and choosing the right one for your business is of utmost significance as it will determine how your content responds on the platform. The algorithms work and even make changes based on the categories on Instagram, and you would have to curate your marketing plans accordingly.
In this article, we’ll go over all the different Instagram categories and give you some tips on how to use them to your advantage.
What Are Instagram Business Categories?
There are two types of profiles on Instagram: professional and personal. The personal accounts obviously don’t fall under any category, but you surely have Instagram professional account categories. When you have a professional account, you can select a category for your business. This category shows up on your profile and helps people understand what your business is about. If you can’t find a perfect fit, you can select “Other,” which is the default option.
The names or the usernames you choose sometimes are ambiguous, and your audience may not be able to identify what your business is all about. They may start following you without knowing whether they are actually interested in the kind of products or services you offer. At the same time, they may skip your profile because they have no clue what you have to offer! So, it is wise to check the instagram professional account categories and choose the one that perfectly defines your business.
Does the Business Category Really Matter?
It is no more a surprise that Instagram is constantly evolving, and keeps making changes to offer a better user experience. Moreover, as millions of people are actively using the platform, the platform has to do something to offer a customized experience to every user. That is why it keeps the ever-changing algorithms, which access your search history and interests to figure out what sort of information they should offer you. In all this, all Instagram categories play a vital role. Algorithms vary for each one of them, and you will get your audiences based on the business category you choose for your profile.
Yes, the business category you select can definitely affect your reach and engagement. If you choose a category that’s too broad, your content might get lost in the shuffle. But if you’re too specific, you might limit your potential reach. So, while creating a business profile, you should check all Instagram categories and choose the most suited one only. Understand that the more specific you are, the better will be your reach and growth on the platform.
The best way to find the right balance is to experiment with different categories and see which one gets you the most engagement. You can always change your category later if you need to. So, once you have made the right choice from all the categories on Instagram, give yourself a few days to check the analytics and be observant of whether you want to keep it as it is. However, if the analytics are not in favour of your business, you can choose another category and continue the process till you find the best fit.
How Many Categories Are There on Instagram?
There are 1,076 Instagram categories in total. Some of them aptly define the businesses, while others might cause confusion amongst the owners. For example, the two categories, advertising agency and advertising/marketing can apply to the same business. So, which one you would use? The right way is to try both and keep the one that yields the best results. Moreover, there are some funny Instagram categories as well which might cause confusion amongst the users. After you create your business account, you can see the full list of categories and edit your business category at any time.
Here is the full list of Instagram business categories:
A
Academic Camp
Accessories
Accountant
Actor
Acupuncturist
Addiction Resources Center
Addiction Service
Addiction Treatment Center
Adult Entertainment Service
Advertising Agency
Advertising/Marketing
Aerospace Company
African Restaurant
Agricultural Cooperative
Agricultural Service
Agriculture
Airline Company
Airline Industry Service
Airport
Airport Shuttle Service
Album
Allergist
Alternative & Holistic Health Service
Amateur Photographer
Amateur Sports Team
American Restaurant
Amphitheater
Amusement & Theme Park
Animal Shelter
Antique Store
Apartment & Condo Building
Apostolic Church
App Page
Apparel & Clothing
Apparel Distributor
Appliance Manufacturer
Appliance Repair Service
Appliances
Aquarium
Aquatic Pet Store
Arabian Restaurant
Arboretum
Arcade
Architect
Architectural Designer
Architectural Engineer
Architectural Tour Agency
Argentinian Restaurant
Aromatherapy Service
Art
Art Gallery
Art Museum
Art Restoration Service
Art School
Art Tour Agency
Artist
Arts & Crafts Store
Arts & Entertainment
Arts & Humanities Website
Asian Fusion Restaurant
Asian Restaurant
Assemblies Of God
Astrologist
Astrologist & Psychic
Athlete
ATV Recreation Park
Auction House
Audio Visual Equipment Store
Audiologist
Auditorium
Australian Restaurant
Author
Auto Detailing Service
Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
Automation Service
Automotive Body Shop
Automotive Consultant
Automotive Customization Shop
Automotive Dealership
Automotive Glass Service
Automotive Leasing Service
Automotive Manufacturer
Automotive Parts Store
Automotive Repair Shop
Automotive Restoration Service
Automotive Service
Automotive Store
Automotive Window Tinting Service
Automotive, Aircraft & Boat
Aviation School
Awning Supplier
B
Baby & Children’s Clothing Store
Baby Goods/Kids Goods
Babysitter
Bags & Luggage Company
Bags & Luggage Store
Bags/Luggage
Bail Bondsmen
Bakery
Band
Bank
Bankruptcy Lawyer
Bar
Bar & Grill
Barbecue Restaurant
Barber Shop
Bartending Service
Beach
Beach Resort
Beauty Salon
Beauty Store
Beauty Supplier
Beauty Supply Store
Beauty, Cosmetic & Personal Care
Bed And Breakfast
Beer Bar
Beer Garden
Belgian Restaurant
Bicycle Repair Service
Bicycle Shop
Big Box Retailer
Bike Rental
Biotechnology Company
Blinds & Curtains Store
Blogger
Board Game
Boat / Sailing Instructor
Boat Dealership
Boat Rental
Boat Service
Boat Tour Agency
Boat/Ferry Company
Book
Book & Magazine Distributor
Book Series
Bookstore
Borough
Botanical Garden
Bottled Water Company
Bottled Water Supplier
Boutique Store
Bowling Alley
Boxing Studio
Brand
Brand Agency
Brazilian Restaurant
Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant
Brewery
Bridal Shop
Bridge
British Restaurant
Broadcasting & Media Production Company
Brokerage Firm
Bubble Tea Shop
Buffet Restaurant
Building Material Store
Building Materials
Burger Restaurant
Bus Line
Bus Tour Agency
Business
Business & Economy Website
Business Center
Business Consultant
Business Service
Business Supply Service
Businesses
Butcher Shop
C
Cabin
Cabinet & Countertop Store
Cable & Satellite Company
Cafe
Cafeteria
Camera Store
Camera/Photo
Campground
Campus Building
Canadian Restaurant
Candy Store
Canoe & Kayak Rental
Cantonese Restaurant
Car Dealership
Car Rental
Car Wash
Career Counselor
Cargo & Freight Company
Caribbean Restaurant
Carnival Supply Store
Carpenter
Carpet & Flooring Store
Cars
Cash Advance Service
Casino
Casino & Gaming
Castle
Caterer
Cause
Cave
Cemetery
Champagne Bar
Charity Organization
Charter Bus Service
Cheese Shop
Chef
Chemical Company
Chicken Joint
Child Care Service
Child Protective Service
Chimney Sweeper
Chinese Restaurant
Chiropractor
Chocolate Shop
Choir
Christian Church
Church
Church Of Christ
Church Of God
Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints
Circus
City
City Infrastructure
Cleaning Service
Clothing (Brand)
Clothing Company
Clothing Store
Coach
Cocktail Bar
Coffee Shop
Collectibles Store
College & University
Colombian Restaurant
Comedian
Comedy Club
Comfort Food Restaurant
Comic Bookstore
Commercial & Industrial
Commercial & Industrial Equipment Supplier
Commercial Bank
Commercial Equipment
Commercial Real Estate Agency
Community
Community Center
Community College
Community Museum
Community Organization
Community Service
Company
Competition
Computer Company
Computer Repair Service
Computer Store
Computer Training School
Computers & Internet Website
Computers (Brand)
Concert Tour
Concrete Contractor
Construction Company
Consulate & Embassy
Consulting Agency
Contemporary Art Museum
Continental Restaurant
Contractor
Convenience Store
Convent & Monastery
Convention Center
Cooking School
Copywriting Service
Corporate Lawyer
Corporate Office
Cosmetic Dentist
Cosmetics Store
Cosmetology School
Costume Shop
Cottage
Counselor
Country
Country Club / Clubhouse
Credit Counseling Service
Cricket Ground
Criminal Lawyer
Cruise Agency
Cruise Line
Cultural Center
Cultural Gifts Store
Cupcake Shop
Currency Exchange
D
Dairy Farm
Damage Restoration Service
Dance & Night Club
Dance School
Dance Studio
Dancer
Dating Service
Day Care
Day Spa
Deck & Patio Builder
Defense Company
Deli
Demolition & Excavation Company
Dentist & Dental Office
Department Store
Dermatologist
Design & Fashion
Designer
Dessert Shop
Digital Creator
Dim Sum Restaurant
Diner
Disc Golf Course
Discount Store
Distillery
Dive Bar
Diving Spot
Divorce & Family Lawyer
DJ
Doctor
Dog Day Care Center
Dog Park
Dog Trainer
Dog Walker
Dominican Restaurant
Donut Shop
Drafting Service
Drink
Drive-In Movie Theater
Driving School
Drug Addiction Treatment Center
Dry Cleaner
Dui Lawyer
E
E-Cigarette Store
Eco Tour Agency
E-Commerce Website
Editor
Education
Education Company
Education Website
Educational Consultant
Educational Research Center
Educational Supply Store
Electrician
Electronics
Electronics Company
Electronics Store
Elementary School
Elevator Service
Emergency Rescue Service
Employment Agency
Energy Company
Engineering Service
Entertainment Website
Entrepreneur
Environmental Conservation Organization
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Service
Episode
Equestrian Center
Escape Game Room
Esports League
Estate Planning Lawyer
Ethiopian Restaurant
European Restaurant
Evangelical Church
Event
Event Photographer
Event Planner
Event Videographer
Exotic Car Rental
F
Fabric Store
Family Doctor
Family Medicine Practice
Family Style Restaurant
Farm
Farmers Market
Fashion
Fashion Company
Fashion Designer
Fashion Model
Fast Food Restaurant
Fence & Gate Contractor
Fertility Doctor
Festival
Fictional Character
Field Of Study
Filipino Restaurant
Film Director
Finance
Finance Company
Financial Aid Service
Financial Consultant
Financial Planner
Financial Service
Fire Protection Service
Fireplace Store
Fish & Chips Restaurant
Fish Farm
Fish Market
Fishing Spot
Fishing Store
Fitness Boot Camp
Fitness Model
Fitness Trainer
Fjord/Loch
Flea Market
Flight School
Florist
Flyboarding Center
Fondue Restaurant
Food & Beverage
Food & Beverage Company
Food Consultant
Food Delivery Service
Food Stand
Food Tour Agency
Food Truck
Food Wholesaler
Foodservice Distributor
Footwear Store
Forestry & Logging
Forestry Service
Franchising Service
French Restaurant
Frozen Yogurt Shop
Fruit & Vegetable Store
Funeral Service & Cemetery
Furniture
Furniture Repair & Upholstery Service
Furniture Store
G
Gamer
Games/Toys
Gaming Video Creator
Garage Door Service
Garden Center
Gardener
Gas & Chemical Service
Gas Station
Gastropub
Gay Bar
Gelato Shop
General Dentist
German Restaurant
Gift Shop
Glass & Mirror Shop
Glass Manufacturer
Glass Service
Gluten-Free Restaurant
Go-Kart Track
Golf Cart Dealership
Golf Course & Country Club
Government Building
Government Official
Government Organization
Government Website
Granite & Marble Supplier
Graphic Designer