Instagram’s “Shared Access” Feature: A New Chapter for Creators and Social Teams
- Tilly Jones
- Jun 22
- 3 min read
Instagram has just unveiled a powerful new feature that’s set to transform how creators and businesses collaborate on the platform. Meet “Shared Access” a smart, secure way to manage multiple users on one Instagram account without the faff of password sharing.
Shared Access allows account owners to grant permission to others, such as social media managers or community coordinators. There’s no need to hand over login credentials or juggle logins between devices.
You’ll find this new option in your Instagram app under:
Settings → For Professionals → Shared Access
It’s particularly valuable for:
Content creators needing help with scheduling or posting
Small business owners wanting staff to reply to DMs
Friends running joint accounts (like pet or fan pages).
Why It Matters for Creators and Brands
Instagram allows you to invite up to three collaborators (more if you’re on a Meta Verified Business plan). The account owner retains full oversight and can customise exactly what each person is allowed to do.
Options include:
Posting on your behalf
Responding to comments or messages
Adding to your stories
Running ads (if it’s a professional account).
All this happens without ever revealing your password.
Levels of Control
The account holder decides how much access each person gets from limited permissions to full admin rights.
As the account holder, you can also:
View a list of invited users
See who has been removed
Monitor account activity
Update permissions any time.
Inviting someone is simple. Once you’ve selected “Shared Access” in your settings:
Choose who you want to invite.
They’ll receive a notification with 7 days to accept.
When they log in, your account will appear under a “Shared Access” label. It’s clearly marked and easy to use.
From there, they can jump straight into managing comments, posting, or helping with community engagement.
⚠️ Important Note for UK Users
It’s worth noting that Instagram has limited the availability of Shared Access. According to official communication from the platform:
“This feature is available to eligible Instagram accounts, except for Teens, European Union (EU), and United Kingdom (UK) audiences.”
This means many UK users, including brands and agencies may not yet see the feature appear in their app. However, Instagram advises users to check their professional settings, as rollout eligibility may change over time.
Broader Implications of Shared Access
The Shared Access feature raises important questions about the future of social media management. With password-free collaboration becoming more common, we may see wider adoption of similar systems across other platforms.
It also addresses long-standing security concerns, where social teams had no option but to share credentials, exposing accounts to risks.
This shift is also in line with Meta’s trend toward enterprise-ready tools, giving businesses better control and creators more peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Instagram’s introduction of Shared Access could represent a significant leap forward in account management for creators, agencies, and digital teams. While users in the UK and EU may have to wait a bit longer, this new tool has the potential to become a staple in the toolkit of every social media professional.
As digital collaboration continues to grow, Instagram’s new feature offers a more secure, streamlined, and flexible approach to managing accounts across teams. If your account has access, it’s time to explore what Shared Access can do for you and if not, it’s certainly one to keep an eye out for in the app settings.