How to Use Instagram Web: Managing Your Account Via Desktop

When Instagram first startedthe app was exclusively available on mobile devices. Howeveras it has now become an important part of many of our jobsthe need to access Instagram on our computers has increased. Since 2012this has been possible via Instagram webwhich offers reduced capabilities from your desktop browser. 

In this postwe will break down how Instagram’s desktop version workswhat features are availableand how it differs from the mobile version. Do you manage multiple Instagram accounts? In that casewe will also share some tips and tools that you can utilize to schedule Instagram contentview analyticsand manage your inbox all from your computer.

How to Access the Instagram Website         

You can access Instagram’s website version by heading to Instagram.com. Here you can log in with your existing Instagram accountor log in with Facebook.

If you haven’t created your Instagram account yetyou can also sign up via the desktop. To create an accounthead to this website.

Once you’re logged into your accountyou will notice it looks quite similar to the application version. On the left-hand side of the screenyou will see all of Instagram’s menu options.

How the Instagram Website Works: Main Features

• All posts will appear on the Home page feedand you can switch between the “For you” and “Following” feeds at the top of the page.
•  All menus and options will appear on the left-hand side of the page. On the rightyou can find suggested accounts for you to follow.
• Stories are shown at the top of the feedjust as they appear on the mobile app.

Differences Between Instagram’s Website and The Mobile App

Instagram web allows you to access your account from your desktop browserbut there are some limitations to the things you can do.

What you can’t do on Instagram web

While the interface is largely similar to the app when you log into Instagram from your computerthere are some limitations on the desktop version:

• You can’t upload stories: The Instagram website doesn’t allow you to upload stories from your computer. To do thisyou can utilize third-party tools like Metricoolwhich enable you to schedule and auto-publish Instagram Storiesall from your desktop (more on that later). 
• Use Instagram Shopping: Products tagged in images won’t be displayed on the Instagram websiteso you won’t see the shopping bag icon.
• Schedule content: Unlike the mobile appyou cannot schedule content ahead of time on the desktop version. Howeveryou can schedule content from your desktop with Metricool. 

What you can do on Instagram web

Besides the limitations aboveInstagram’s website version has all the same features as the mobile app. That isyou can interact with contentview and reply to messagesshare contentand use the search function to find new content or accounts.

• Like and comment on photosthe same way you do it on the phoneusing the icons that appear under the content:
  • ❤️ Clicking the heart icon or twice on the image.
  • 💬 Tap the comment icon or add it directly under the text that accompanies the image.
• Upload imagesvideosand Live videos to the feed: Although Stories are not yet allowedfrom Instagram’s website you can upload images or videos to your feedas well as start a live video directly from the browser with the streaming service of your choice.

To do thisclick on the “Create” option and select either Post or Live video. Then drag or select the content from your computer and follow the steps as if you were uploading it from your mobile: i.e. apply filters and settingsadd a descriptiontagsand alt text.

If you start a live videoadd a titleand select your audience before connecting your stream URL and stream key.

• Pause videos: This is one of the clearest differences between the two versions. On Instagram’s websiteyou can pause videos by simply clicking on them. Howeverif we do the same on the mobile appthat isclicking the videothis will either mute or add sound to the video.
• Access Threads website version: Just as you can switch between your Instagram and Threads accounts on the mobile appyou can also switch between your accounts on both desktop versions.

How to Post on Instagram Web: Step by Step

Posting to your Instagram feed via the website is (almost) as easy as using the app. Follow these 5 simple steps:

1. Click “Create”.

2. Select “Post”.

3. Drag and drop the photos or video you want to upload into the boxor find it in your library by clicking “Select from computer”.

4. Edit your photo with filters or visual adjustments and press “Next” (Or press “Next” immediatelyif you don’t need to do any edits).

5. Add your captionlocationtagsand collaborators and press “Share”.

Easy!

Metricool: Your Instagram Desktop Cheatcode

Remember when I mentioned third-party apps for managing Instagram earlier? Wellthat’s exactly what Metricool is forincreasing your Instagram capabilities from your PCMacor Phone. Here a some of the things you can do with our all-in-one social media management toolfrom your desktop or on the go:

• Uploadscheduleand auto-publish all Instagram content from the web: Yesthat’s right; Storiessingle image postscarousels and reelsyou can schedule and post them all directly from Metricool.
• Analyze your Instagram Performance: View analytics such as engagementinteractionsfollower growthand hashtag performance. Compile this data into custom reports or compare side by side with your other social networksall from one dashboard
• Size up with your competitors: Get detailed analytics from your competitors’ Instagram profiles and make sure you’re not falling behind or missing any important trends.

Enjoy these benefits and morewith a FREE Metricool accountsign up with the button below:

Instagram Website FAQ’s

Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Instagram’s desktop versionsince we know this is not used as often as the mobile app.

Can you call on Instagram web?

Yes! This funcionañity has recently been added to the web version of Instagram. When you open a message thread with another useryou will see options for both audio and video calls at the top.

How to see archived Stories on Instagram website

Can you view archived Stories via the Instagram desktop version? Yeshoweveryou can only see archived Stories and not feed posts or Reels. To do thissimply head to your profile pageand at the topyou will see a buttonView archive. Here you will see all your archived Stories.

How to view blocked accounts on Instagram website

So you want to manage your followers and view those accounts you have blocked or restricted. To do thishead to your profile settings and click on “Edit profile“. This will open your account settings from which you can find and manage those accounts you have mutedblockedand restricted.

How to delete an Instagram account on the website

If you decide you want to delete your Instagram accountyou have the option to do this from the website version. To do thishead to this page to delete your account. If you don’t want to permanently delete your account you can opt to temporarily deactivate your account by heading to this site.

Instagram is designed to be mainly used on the mobile app. HoweverInstagram’s web version allows you to view public profiles from all over the worldyou don’t even have to have an Instagram account since you don’t need to be logged into Instagram from your desktop or laptop

If you haven’t tried to access Instagram from a web browser and see how it worksit’s time to do it. Go ahead! It could be beneficial for your marketing strategy on Instagram.

Can you schedule posts on the Instagram desktop version?

Instagram’s desktop doesn’t allow users to schedule any content in advanceas is available on the mobile app underneath the Advanced settings. Howeveryou can utilize third-party tools such as Metricool you schedule and auto-publish all Instagram content via your browser. With thisyou can upload and schedule feed postsStoriesand Reels all from your computerand for free!

To access thisyou can create your free Metricool account below and connect your Instagram account to schedule contentview profile analyticsand respond to messages and comments from the same place.

Can you turn on dark mode on the Instagram website?

If you like the Instagram dark theme in the appyou can also have it in the web version. Unlike the mobile version that remains dark until you change it manuallyon PCit returns to the light tone when you leave the page or update.

To have it on Instagram Webyou just have to add the term ‘? Theme = dark‘ in the address bar after ‘.com/’ or add the bar at the end. You can do it from the Instagram home page or profile.

Any doubts? Leave a comment below.