How to Delete an Instagram Business Account: A Step-by-Step Guide
Instagram has become one of the most powerful tools for businesses to use within their marketing strategy, however, there may come a time when you want to step away from your Instagram account. Whether your priorities have shifted, you’re overwhelmed with managing the account, or your business has pivoted, deleting your Instagram business account might feel like the right decision.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to delete an Instagram business account, alternative options to consider, and key factors to weigh before making this significant decision.
Why You Might Delete an Instagram Business Account
Having an Instagram business account means that anyone can view your profile page and engage with it. Whilst it is best practice for businesses to utilise a business account, it leaves you liable to negative engagement from users on Instagram.
There are a few reasons why you may feel that the only solution to your problem is to delete your Instagram account, so let's go through some common reasons people choose this route.
1. Changing Business Focus
Suppose you've decided to take your business in a different direction, or you feel that Instagram is no longer a key part of your marketing strategy. In that case, you may feel that deleting Instagram is the best course of action for your business.
2. Privacy Concerns
Business accounts on Instagram must remain public, which can expose personal or sensitive information. If privacy is a priority, you might feel more comfortable switching to a personal account or deleting the business profile altogether. Deleting your business profile can also help reduce your digital footprint.
3. Engagement Challenges
Some users report decreased organic reach with a business account, as Instagram’s algorithm may prioritise paid promotions. If you’ve noticed a decrease in engagement when using a business account, you may decide to delete your Instagram account.
Deactivating your account will make your profile and content invisible to other users, which might be a temporary solution to engagement challenges.
4. Burnout or Overwhelm
Social media management can be difficult for business owners as it requires a lot of time, research and resources. From creating engaging content to analysing performance metrics, it’s easy to feel burnt out. This could lead to you feeling that deleting Instagram is the best way forward if you're not going to post anyway.
Preparing to Delete Your Business Account
Before deleting your Instagram business account, it’s essential to consider the implications. Deleting your account will permanently remove all your photos, videos, comments, and followers. This action is irreversible, so it’s crucial to be certain about your decision.
If you’re unsure about deleting your account, you can temporarily deactivate it instead. Deactivating your account will hide your profile and content from public view, but you can reactivate it later if you change your mind. This option allows you to take a break without losing all your data.
Alternatively, you might consider switching to a personal account or a creator account. This way, you can retain your profile and content while adjusting your account type to better suit your current needs. Switching to a personal account can provide more privacy, while a creator account offers tools to help manage and grow your audience. We'll explore these options in more detail later.
How to Delete an Instagram Business Account
If you’ve decided that deleting your Instagram business account is the right choice, follow these steps carefully. Remember, this process is irreversible, so take your time before proceeding.
Step 1: Download Your Data
Before deleting your account, download all your photos, videos, and posts. Once deleted, you’ll no longer have access to this content.
Open the Instagram website on your browser.
Go to Settings and select Privacy and Security.
Scroll down to Data Download and click Request Download.
Enter your email and confirm the request.
Instagram will email you a file containing all your data. Note that even after deletion, it may take up to a month for your data to be fully erased from Instagram's system.
Step 2: Log in to Instagram
You can delete your Instagram account within the Instagram account or within a browser on a mobile or desktop. The following instructions pertain to the Instagram app, as over 50% of users have this.
Open the Instagram app.
Input your username and password if needed.
Step 3: Follow the Deletion Process
Once logged in:
Click on your profile picture in the bottom right-hand corner to get to your profile page.
Once there, click on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
Go to Accounts Centre.
Within Accounts Centre, go to Personal details.
Once you are in Personal details, go to Account ownership and control.
Click Deactivation or deletion.
Click the account you want to delete.
Click delete account and continue.
Confirm the reason why you are deleting your Instagram account.
Re-enter your password and click continue.
Confirm your request by clicking Delete [Account Name].
Your account will be deactivated immediately and permanently deleted after 30 days.
Alternatives to Deleting Your Instagram Business Account
Before you hit that delete button, consider these alternatives. Each option allows you to step back or change your approach without losing your account permanently.
1. Switch to a Personal Account
Switching from a business account to a personal one is the easiest way to keep your profile while reducing complexity. Personal accounts are private by default, giving you more control over who sees your content, however, you can choose to have a public account if you wish.
Here’s how to switch:
Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
Tap the Menu icon (three lines in the top right corner).
Select Creator tools and controls.
Scroll down and select Switch Account Type.
Choose Switch to Personal Account.
2. Temporarily Deactivate Your Account
If you’re unsure about permanently deleting your account, deactivation is a good middle ground. Temporarily deactivating your account hides your profile, photos, and comments but retains all your data for future reactivation.
Here’s how to deactivate:
Log in to Instagram on a desktop or mobile browser.
Go to your profile. Tap the Menu icon (three lines in the top right corner).
Click Accounts centre at the top, then Personal details.
Click Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion.
Confirm the account by clicking it.
Select the Deactivate account and continue.
Enter your password to continue.
Select the reason for deactivating your Instagram account and click continue, them Deactivate account.
3. Reevaluate Your Strategy
If you’re frustrated by slow growth or low engagement, consider revisiting your strategy instead of deleting your account. If you're stuck, you can enlist the help of a professional with social media management, as this takes the pressure off you.
Considerations Before Deleting Your Instagram Account
Deleting your Instagram business account is a big decision. Before you delete your account, consider the long-term implications and whether a temporary deactivation might be a better option. Here are some factors to consider before taking the plunge:
1. Is It a Permanent Problem?
Think about whether the issues you’re facing—like low engagement or burnout—are temporary. If they are, you might not need to permanently delete your account. A break or strategic adjustment might resolve these challenges without losing your account. If you have spent a lot of time on resources on your Instagram account, deleting it will only reverse your hard work.
2. Impact on Followers
Deleting your account means losing your followers and customer base on Instagram. If you plan to return to Instagram later, rebuilding this audience could be difficult. It can also have a negative impact when it comes to your audience trusting your brand, as they would not expect your account to ‘disappear’. Additionally, deleting your account will make your Instagram profile and all its content permanently inaccessible to your followers.
3. Loss of Features
Switching from a business account to personal or deleting it altogether means losing features like analytics, call-to-action buttons, and ad capabilities. Are these features still valuable to your business?
Conclusion
Deleting an Instagram business account is a significant step, that should not be taken lightly. By understanding your options, considering the implications, and seeking advice when needed, you can make the right decision for your business.
