When managing your Instagram profile, particularly if you are a business owner, influencer, or creator, your profile must reflect your brand identity accurately.
One of the most important features in this regard is the category label displayed on your profile.
The category label helps others understand what you do at a glance, but there may be times when you want to remove or modify this category.
Whether you’re looking to create a cleaner, more minimalist aesthetic or redefine your branding, this step-by-step guide will show you how to remove or change the category on Instagram.
Why Category Labels Matter?
On Instagram, category labels serve as a snapshot of your profile. They tell users immediately what you do, whether you’re a fitness expert, a business owner, or a public figure.
Categories are particularly useful for business and creator accounts, as they help your profile appear in relevant searches and recommendations.
When set correctly, a category label can enhance your discoverability, improve your relevance, and increase engagement with your target audience.
However, there are times when your category label might not align with your brand’s evolution or current focus.
Maybe you’ve shifted your career focus, rebranded your business, or decided to present a more personal side of your life.
In these cases, removing or changing your category label can make your Instagram profile feel more authentic to what you represent today.
Types of Instagram Accounts
Before diving into how to remove or change your Instagram category, it’s essential to understand the different types of Instagram accounts.
The account type you use can affect how you manage your profile and the available features.
- Personal Accounts: These accounts are best suited for users who want to share moments with friends and family. Personal accounts do not offer the option to set a category label.
- Business Accounts: Business accounts are ideal for brands, retailers, and service providers. They offer a wealth of features, including Instagram Insights, ads, and the ability to add a category label that reflects your brand.
- Creator Accounts: Created for influencers, artists, and content creators, creator accounts offer features like enhanced analytics and category labels. These accounts are focused on personal branding and allow more customization.
For Business and Creator accounts, category labels play a vital role in helping your profile stand out in search and recommendations. Personal accounts, on the other hand, do not have this feature.
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Steps to Remove Category on Instagram
If you’ve decided to remove or modify the category on your Instagram profile, here’s how to do it step-by-step.
Step 1: Open Instagram and Go to Your Profile
First, open the Instagram app on your mobile device and go to your profile by tapping on the profile icon in the bottom right corner.
Step 2: Tap on ‘Edit Profile’
Once you’re on your profile page, tap the “Edit Profile” button located just below your username and bio.
Step 3: Navigate to ‘Category’ in the Profile Section
Scroll down to the ‘Public Business Information’ section. Here, you’ll find the ‘Category’ option, where your current category label is displayed.
Step 4: Tap on ‘Category’ and Choose a New One or Remove It
Tap on the category field, and a list of predefined categories will appear. If you want to remove the category, you can select the option that says “None” or choose the least specific category available.
If you simply want to change the category, scroll through the list and select the one that best aligns with your current focus.
Step 5: Hide the Category Label (Optional)
If you no longer want to display the category label on your profile, you can also toggle off the “Display Category Label” option. To do this, go to the “Profile Display” section, which is under the same ‘Edit Profile’ menu.
Step 6: Save Your Changes
Once you’ve made your changes, tap the ‘Done’ button in the top-right corner of the screen to save your new settings.
Now, your Instagram profile will reflect your updated category status or no category at all, depending on your preference.
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Common Issues and Troubleshooting
When updating or changing your category on Instagram, you may encounter some common issues.
One of the most frequent problems is that changes don’t appear immediately. This can usually be resolved by clearing your app cache or restarting the Instagram app.
Another issue could be that the option to modify your category is unavailable. If this happens, ensure your account is set to a Business or Creator account, as Personal accounts do not support category labels.
If your Instagram account is linked to a Facebook page, sync issues might occur. Changes made on one platform may not reflect on the other right away.
Ensure your Facebook page settings are properly connected to Instagram for the changes to sync smoothly.
These troubleshooting steps should help you resolve most issues when removing or changing your Instagram category.
Cons of Removing Your Instagram Category
While removing or changing your Instagram category may seem like a good way to streamline your profile, there are some potential downsides to consider:
1. Reduced Discoverability
Removing your category can reduce your visibility in relevant searches and recommendations. Categories help Instagram know what your profile is about, and when users search for specific types of content (e.g., “fitness coach” or “graphic designer”), profiles with clear category labels are more likely to show up.
2. Loss of Context
A category label offers a quick and easy way for visitors to understand what you do. Without it, visitors might spend more time figuring out your niche through your bio and content alone. This could result in fewer connections with your target audience.
3. Limited Targeting for Ads
If you plan to run Instagram ads, having a relevant category can enhance your ad targeting. Removing the category could make it harder to refine your ad audience, potentially affecting the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns.
Although removing a category can help create a cleaner, more minimalist look, it’s important to weigh the trade-offs before making this decision.
Read More: How to Delete Your Instagram Account?
Conclusion
Removing your Instagram category can be a simple yet impactful way to refine the appearance of your profile.
Whether you want to create a more minimalist aesthetic or adjust your brand’s focus, this guide has provided you with clear, actionable steps to remove or modify your category.
While there are some potential downsides, such as reduced discoverability and loss of context, these can be mitigated through other strategies, such as optimizing your bio and using targeted hashtags.
Ultimately, the decision to remove your Instagram category is up to you. Armed with the knowledge from this guide, you can make an informed choice and create a profile that truly reflects your evolving brand or personal identity.
FAQs
How to hide a category on Instagram?
If you don’t want to display your category label on Instagram, you can hide it by going to your profile and tapping “Edit Profile.” Scroll down to the ‘Public Business Information’ section and find the ‘Profile Display’ option. From here, you can toggle off the “Display Category Label” option to hide the label from your profile.
Can you block categories on Instagram?
Instagram does not provide a feature to block specific categories from appearing on your profile or in ads. However, you can interact with ads you do not want to see, such as hiding them or providing feedback that they are irrelevant.
Can you have no category on Instagram?
Yes, you can have no category displayed on your Instagram profile. To remove or leave the category blank, simply navigate to your profile, tap “Edit Profile,” and select the “None” option under the Category section. You can also hide the category label by toggling off the display option.
