How To Make My Instagram Account Public and Live Out Loud – Full Guide

Ready to step into the spotlight? If you’ve been hiding your creativity behind a private profile, it’s time to change that. This guide walks you through how to make an Instagram account public, plus a few smart ways to keep parts of it private when needed.

You don’t need a second account or complicated tricks—just a few quick steps. Let’s show the world what you’ve got.

How To Make Your Instagram Story Public

Want your Stories to reach more people? To make your story public on Instagram, your entire account has to be public first. Here’s how to make your account public on Instagram in five easy steps:

1. Launch Instagram on your cell phone.
2. Go to your account Profile Page by clicking on your Profile Icon.
3. Tap on the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner. This is the Menu Icon.
4. Select Account Privacy.
5. Tap on the toggle button to switch between a public or private account.

Once your account is public, anyone can view your posts and Stories. However, you can still keep certain things private by creating a Close Friends list – perfect if you want to share exclusive or personal content with a smaller group.

If you’re ever unsure about how your posts look before going public, check out this guide on turning off auto enhance on Instagram.

What Happens When You Make Your Instagram Account Public? 

Switching your profile from private to public does more than unlock visibility – it changes how you connect, grow, and even earn. Here’s what really happens when you learn how to make your Instagram public.

1. More Visibility

A public account means your posts, Reels, and Stories can appear in Explore and hashtag pages. That means more people discovering your content organically.

If you’re serious about growth, see our Instagram Growth Strategy 2025: Top Secrets to maximize your reach.

Keep in mind that with more visibility comes less privacy. Anyone can view your profile and engage with your content unless you block them.

2. Follower Growth

When you make your Instagram account public, it becomes much easier for new followers to find and follow you instantly—no request needed.

Once public, you can switch to a professional account and unlock tools like Instagram analytics to track what’s working.

To take your audience growth further, use strategic hashtags with Instagram Tag Search.

3. Financial Prospects

If your goal is to become a creator or influencer, knowing how to make your Instagram account public is essential. Public profiles attract brand deals and sponsorships because companies want visibility.

Curious about monetization? Check out How Do You Buy Instagram Followers – The 2025 Guide or learn How to Become an Influencer on Instagram.

A private account limits your exposure and could mean missing out on collaborations, sponsorships, and partnership opportunities.

You Can Make Individual Posts Private

Here’s the good news: even if you make your Instagram public, you can still control what the world sees. Instagram now allows you to choose specific posts for your Close Friends list – creating a perfect balance between public and private life.

Here’s why that’s a smart move:

1. Some Photos Don’t Fit Your Brand

Maybe you’ve built a polished online identity – fitness guru, fashion stylist, or lifestyle expert—and some posts just don’t align with that image. Keep those moments for your inner circle.

Consistency is key to maintaining your brand. Learn how to analyze your performance with the Engagement Rate on Instagram Calculator.

2. The Posts Don’t Fit the Aesthetic

If you’re curating a specific color theme or grid layout, some posts might not fit visually. Keeping them private lets you maintain your style without deleting them.

To boost engagement while keeping your feed cohesive, use insights from Boosting Instagram Engagement: 9 Practical Tips for Small Businesses in 2025. 

At the same time, you don’t want to exclude a certain post from your feed. You want to share it with at least some people. You could keep those posts private. A select few will see these photos. The public can adore your color scheme. With this option, you won’t have to know how to make an Instagram account private from public.

3. How To Make Individual Posts Private

Do you remember the Close Friends feature on your Instagram Story? Well, now there is an option for your Instagram feed. You can choose which posts are only visible to your friends. You make this decision at the time of uploading it to your feed. Follow these steps to Post to your close friends only:

1. Launch Instagram on your cell phone.
2. Tap on the Plus Sign in the center of the bottom of your screen.
3. Your phone will now take you to your gallery. You can choose to make a post or create a Reel.
4. Select your content.
5. Edit your photos or videos until you reach the final page.
6. You will see the option labeled Audience. The default choice is Everyone.
7. When you tap on everyone, your phone allows you to choose Everyone or Close Friends.
8. Choose Done.
9. Complete the final step by tagging the relevant people or adding music. 
10. Tap Share.

Now, everyone who is a Close Friend will see this post. Note that they will see each other’s likes and comments as well. It’s safe for them to assume that everyone else interacting with the post is also a close friend.

How Do I Become a Public Figure on Instagram?

Once you’ve made your account public, you might be thinking, “How do I become a public figure on Instagram?”

The answer: build a strong presence and credibility. You can start by switching to a professional account, choosing the Public Figure category, and using targeted growth strategies.

It’s also important to post consistently and connect with your audience. If you want to reach your ideal followers faster, explore Real Instagram Followers – How To Get More and Instagram Reach: Unlock This to Elevate Your Brand’s Presence.

Let Hexrate Help You Grow Your Instagram

Once you’ve figured out how to make your Instagram public, it’s time to scale your account. Growing organically can take time, but tools like Hexrate can help you reach your audience faster.

With AI-powered targeting and smart engagement strategies, Hexrate connects creators with real, interested followers.

Pair that with organic tips from How To Boost Instagram Followers: Top Organic Methods and watch your page come alive.

Go public, share boldly, and let the world see the best version of you.