Instagram Guides – an underrated tool for building an expert image. How to use them?

Most creators on Instagram focus on what is loud, visible, and trendy. Reels, Stories, carousels… everything revolves around the algorithm and what has the potential to go viral. Meanwhile, one of the most underrated tools on this platform lies literally on the surface, waiting, and people just… ignore it. Of course, I’m talking about Instagram Guides.

If you care about building an expert brand, gathering leads, earning from affiliation, or simply want to compile your best content in one place and show the value you have to offer – Guides are for you. They work great with SEO, give your posts a second life, and help retain your followers on your profile longer than a regular post or reel.

What exactly are Instagram Guides and why do most creators completely ignore them?

Instagram Guides are mini-guides created from already existing posts, products, or locations that you can gather into one thematic set. Sounds trivial? Sure. But it’s one of those tools that works better than it looks.

Why bother with them?

• You can create guide-like content without writing a blog.
• You give your old posts a second life (seriously, even those from a year ago).
• Instagram treats them as long-form and eagerly promotes them.
• They are permanent – they don’t disappear after 24 hours like Stories.
• You can easily optimize them for SEO on Instagram.

In practice, they look like a scrollable guide – with a title, description, and posts inside, each with its own comment. You can add your entries from the feed, saved posts from other creators, and even products from Instagram Shop. You have three types to choose from: post guides, product guides, and place guides. The most universal and commonly chosen by expert creators are, of course, the first ones.

And now the most interesting part: less than 10% of users regularly use Guides. This means you have the chance to introduce something “new” to a world that loves routines. And you stand out immediately. Just because you know this tool exists.

How to create an Instagram Guide that really works? Don’t complicate – start with a topic you already know

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. The best Instagram Guides come from topics you’ve already tackled. Review your recent posts – there’s a good chance that some of them form a coherent story that you can retell. That’s the point of Guides: you’re not creating new content, just smartly organizing what already exists.

• Consider what question your followers ask the most.
• Review your feed for recurring topics.
• Save posts from other creators that complement your knowledge.
• Select one specific niche and logically organize the content.

Remember that a good Guide is not a collection – it’s a thoughtful guide. Introduction, main part, conclusion. You can add a comment to each post to expand on the topic or add your expert perspective. And don’t worry about something having been done before – people love having everything in one place.

Earning from Instagram Guides? Yes – and without thousands of followers

This is not clickbait. Instagram Guides can really generate revenue – if you approach it strategically. You can earn from affiliations, drive traffic to your shop, promote your digital products, or simply build trust that eventually converts into service sales.

• Create a Guide with tool recommendations and insert affiliate links.
• Add a call to action to sign up for the newsletter (e.g., in the Guide’s description or posts).
• Include your products from the Instagram Shop in the Guide (if you have any).
• Use the Guide as a form of a lead magnet: show value, ask for contact.

Notice that this works even with small reach. You don’t need 50 thousand followers to sell an e-book or gain a client for consultations. You need just a well-organized topic and clear communication. If the Guide is practical and well-optimized, people will return to it – and you can benefit financially.

The biggest mistake? You add the Guide and… wait. But you need to promote it!

Creating a Guide is just the first step. Seriously. If you don’t show it to the world, no one will find it themselves – even if it’s the best material in your career. Instagram hasn’t yet developed a strong Guide search system, so you have to promote them manually – but it’s not as difficult as it seems.

• Post a screenshot of the Guide in Stories and add a CTA: “Check out my new guide!”
• Highlight the Guide in Highlights – to keep it visible all the time.
• Link it in your bio, especially if it’s an “evergreen” topic.
• Refer to it in new posts (e.g., “More in my XYZ Guide”).

See – your followers don’t visit your profile daily and don’t click every button. You need to invite them, guide them, and interest them. Otherwise, great content goes unnoticed, and that’s simply a loss of potential.

Instagram Guides build your image better than Reels. Why? Because they remain

In Reels, you can shine. Go viral. But with Guides, you build trust. It’s a tool that shows you have something to say and know how to organize it. People who read your Guides often stay longer because they see you’ve taken the time to convey value.

• A Guide has a structure: like a mini-course or an extensive article.
• You show a broader context, not just a single tip.
• You have room for comments, opinions, recommendations.
• Users save it and return to it.

All this makes you start being perceived as an expert, not just a content creator. And while it may not get you a viral hit with 100k views, it gives a real impact on your brand, reputation, and sales.

Promoting Instagram Guides – where to showcase them so people actually open them?

It’s not enough to make a great Guide – you also need to ensure someone actually sees it. And here’s where the magic of light yet effective promotion comes in. No spam, no pushiness, no shouting banners. See where it’s worth sharing your Instagram Guides so they’re not only clicked but also remembered.

Proven promotion methods are on the list below.

• Stories with a link – post a screenshot of the Guide, add a “Link” or “New on profile” sticker, and give a brief teaser of what it’s about.
• Highlights on your profile – a permanent place where people can return to your best materials. Pin your most important Guides there.
• Bio with the current Guide – use Linktree, Make.by, or insert a direct link. Add a CTA like: “New guide: How to start earning on Instagram?👇”
• Post on the feed – in the description of a new post, make a reference to the Guide: “Full list of tools in my latest Guide!”
• Comments and replies – if someone asks a question covered in your Guide, provide a link. It’s not spam; it’s help.

Don’t be afraid to remind people about Guides from time to time. Not everyone sees your Story the same day, and a truly good guide can work for your image for weeks or even months.

Best practices to make Instagram Guides work for your image for months

Creating a Guide is one thing. But for it to work long term, it must be well designed. It’s not about perfection – it’s about making users want to not only click it but also save it and return later. And for Instagram to continue pushing it forward.

What to focus on?

• Title with search in mind – use phrases people actually search for (“how to earn on Instagram,” “social media for beginners”).
• Description with a CTA – the introduction should explain the value but also encourage action (“See the full plan,” “Save for later”).
• Logical order of posts – first context, then development, finally summary, and bonus.
• Visual consistency – covers, colors, graphic style – all build your expert image.
• Length – minimum 4 posts, ideally 7–15. Less than 4 isn’t worth it, more than 20 – only if it’s a truly extensive topic.

And most importantly: update your Guides. If you’ve added a new post on a given topic, include it. If something is outdated – remove it. Every 2–3 months, it’s worth doing a quick refresh. Not just for your followers, but also because every edit = notification = new engagement.

Monetizing Instagram Guides – ways to earn for experts, creators, and e-commerce (including RefSpace!)

Instagram Guides can be your silent salesperson – working 24/7 without requiring your presence. The key, however, is what you do with them. Below are real, proven ways to earn with Guides – from leads to product sales. Plus, one very concrete tip for RefSpace users.

• Recommendations with affiliate links – for example, you create a Guide: “My favorite video editing tools” and in the description of each post, you insert your affiliate link to the partner program. It’s simply a subtle recommendation model – without aggressive selling, yet effective.
• Collecting leads – in the Guide description or under a specific post, you insert a CTA like: “Want a PDF list of tools? Leave your email here → [link]”. You build a base for future campaigns.
• Own products and services – the Guide as a preview of your course, ebook, consultation. You show fragments of knowledge, build trust, and then lead to a sale. Great for educators and specialists.
• RefSpace – if you use RefSpace, you can create a Guide around products you recommend in your Space. For example: “5 books that changed my approach to work” – and each post is a short review + link to the product in your Space. Don’t have your own products? That’s not a problem – you sell others on RefSpace and earn!

Conclusion? Instagram Guides are not just a tool for building an image, but also a concrete, long-term monetization option – without stress, without the need to be an influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers.

FAQ

Are Instagram Guides available for every account?

Yes, Instagram Guides are available for all users – both personal and business accounts. If you don’t see this option, make sure you have an updated app and try clicking “+” on your profile – the “Guide” type should be visible there.

How many posts can I add to one Guide?

Up to 30. That’s enough to create a meaningful thematic guide, but it’s also worth remembering that it’s not about quantity, but quality and logical arrangement.

Can I add posts from other accounts to my Guide?

Yes – provided you have previously added them to saved posts. It’s a great option for creating “curated” guides with inspirations, knowledge, or recommendations.

Do Instagram Guides affect SEO on Google?

Not directly – Instagram is not indexed in the traditional way. But good titles, keywords, and shares make your Guide appear more often in Instagram’s internal search, which can genuinely increase reach and the number of new followers.

How often is it worth publishing new Guides?

For beginners, 1 Guide per month is enough – but well-prepared. Over time, you can publish 2-3 a month, especially if you have a lot of content or want to update knowledge cyclically.

Can I edit Guides after publishing?

Yes. You can change the title, descriptions, order of posts, and even add new ones or remove outdated ones. Importantly – each update can cause followers to get a notification about the change, so it’s worth using this.

Can Instagram Guides help in selling products?

Absolutely. You can build a Guide with recommended products from your Space in RefSpace or recommend tools you use. In this way, you turn knowledge into a real source of income – without aggressive selling.

How long does a Guide last?

A Guide does not expire – it remains on your profile until you delete it. This is its huge advantage over Stories. A well-positioned and promoted Guide can “work” for your brand for many months – even without new posts.