If your Instagram account is set to private, the reels you post will only be visible to your approved followers. Reels posted by private accounts are not public and cannot be viewed by people who are not following you.
What are Instagram reels?
Instagram reels are short, entertaining videos up to 30 seconds long that play on a loop. Reels can be recorded and edited directly within the Instagram app. Reels have options like audio, AR effects, timers, counters, toggling speed, aligning objects, and more. Reels are a popular way for Instagram users to create fun and engaging video content.
Once a reel is posted, it appears on your profile page and can also be discovered in the Reels tab, where it can potentially go viral. Instagram promotes reels in the Reels tab algorithmically based on engagement and other factors. So reels have the potential to reach a wide audience on Instagram.
Private vs public accounts
Instagram accounts can be set as either private or public:
- Private accounts – Only approved followers can see posts. Must request to follow. Profile photo and bio are visible publicly.
- Public accounts – Anyone can view all posts. No need to request to follow. Everything is visible publicly.
Private accounts allow more control over privacy and who can interact with your content. Public accounts cast a wider net and make it easy for anyone to view posts.
Are reels on private accounts public?
No, reels posted to private Instagram accounts are not public. Only approved followers of that private account are able to view that account’s reels.
People who are not followers of a private account cannot see any posts, including reels. This applies even if the reel is shared to the Reels tab. It will only be visible to followers approved to view that private account.
Benefits of keeping reels private
Here are some benefits of keeping your reels private by having a private Instagram account:
- More control over who can see and interact with your reels
- Ability to test and experiment with content before going public
- Maintain privacy and selectively share personal/family reels with close connections
- Avoid unwanted attention or interactions from strangers
- Reduce risk of content being misused or taken out of context
For many individuals, keeping reels private is preferable for privacy and safety reasons. Private accounts provide more control over reels reach.
Going public with reels
If your goal is to reach a wide audience with your reels, you’ll need a public account. Some reasons to go public include:
- Reach new viewers who can discover your reels organically
- Possibility of reels going viral and gaining more followers
- Monetization opportunities like influencer sponsorships
- Promoting a brand, business, service, or talent
- Get your content seen by people you don’t already know
Public accounts are best for those seeking to expand their audience and get reels in front of as many eyes as possible. Just know that public reels are viewable by the entire Instagram community.
How to make a private account public
You can easily switch a private account to public in the Instagram app:
- Go to your profile page
- Tap the menu (three horizontal lines) in the top right
- Select Settings from the menu
- Go to the Privacy section in Settings
- Toggle the Private Account setting to off
Once your account is public, all current and future reels will be visible to anyone on Instagram. Existing followers will remain intact after going public.
How to make a public account private
Similarly, you can change a public account to private:
- Go to your profile
- Open the menu and go to Settings
- Tap Privacy in the Settings menu
- Toggle the Private Account setting to on
When your account becomes private, reels will only be visible to approved followers. Anyone currently following you will remain a follower after you go private.
Things to know about private accounts
Some other things to note if you have a private Instagram account:
- You will need to manually approve each new follower request
- Your existing followers will remain followers after going private
- You can remove followers at any time
- You must be following someone to send them a direct message
- Hashtags and locations will still be visible to public
- Your profile photo, username and bio remain public
While not completely invisible, private accounts give you much more control over privacy and visibility of content like reels.
Using multiple accounts
If you want the benefits of both a private personal account and a public creator account, having multiple Instagram accounts can be a good solution:
- Private account for friends/family to share personal moments
- Public account for a creator persona, brand or business
The Instagram app makes it easy to switch between multiple accounts. This provides flexibility to keep certain reels private while having a public presence, too.
Summary
Reels posted to private Instagram accounts are only visible to approved followers and stay private. Public accounts are needed for reels to be seen by the wider Instagram community. You can switch accounts between private and public at any time. Multiple Instagram accounts can help manage privacy and public visibility based on your specific needs.