Glossary

Instagram Business account vs Creator account

Business and Creator accounts are the two kinds of Instagram professional account. Both can use Meta's Instagram API, including comments, private replies and messaging, while personal accounts cannot. Business accounts are aimed at brands, shops and services, Creator accounts at public figures, artists and influencers.

Last updated 2026-10-20

What Meta's API sees

Meta's documentation treats both types the same: an Instagram professional account can represent a business or a creator, and apps built on the Instagram Platform need their users to have one. With the Instagram API with Instagram Login, neither type needs a linked Facebook Page. The older setup with Facebook Login does require the account to be linked to a Page.

Switching

Switching a personal account to a professional one is free and happens in the Instagram app's settings, and you can move between Business and Creator later. Professional accounts get insights and contact options. For comment automation the important part is that the account is professional at all, because Meta's API does not serve personal accounts.

Public accounts and webhooks

Meta's webhook setup guide states that the account that owns the media must be public, and that private accounts do not receive comment or mention notifications. Without those notifications, an automation has no way to hear about new comments in real time.

Which one to pick for comment-to-DM

For automation it makes no practical difference. Pick the type whose profile options suit you, for example contact buttons for a business or creator categories for a person. Elevion works with both and needs no Facebook Page.

For how this fits into the whole flow from comment to DM, read How comment-to-DM automation works.

Sources

Checked against Meta's documentation on 2026-10-20. Meta changes its rules from time to time, so its pages are the final word.