How to Pin Posts on Instagram (and Which Ones to Pin)

• You can pin up to three of your own posts or Reels to the top of your Instagram profile.
• In the app: open the post, tap the three dots, then tap the pin option.
• Unpinning puts the post back in its normal place in your grid. Nothing is deleted.
• Pinning changes what a profile visitor sees first. It does not push the post to more people.
• Pick posts that answer a new visitor's first questions: who you are, what you offer, how to reach you.

Instagram gives every account three pin slots at the top of the profile grid. The slots work for feed posts and Reels that you published yourself. You cannot pin a post that only lives on someone else's profile.

Three is a ceiling, not a target. If one strong introduction post does the job, one pin is enough. An empty slot costs you nothing, while a stale pin (an old offer, a past event) quietly tells visitors the account is not looked after.

1. Open your profile in the Instagram app.
2. Tap the post or Reel you want at the top.
3. Tap the three dots in the top corner of the post.
4. Tap Pin to your profile. Some app versions label it Pin to main grid.
5. Go back to your profile and check that the post now sits in the first row with a small pin icon.

Repeat for a second or third post. If the option is greyed out or missing, you have probably used all three slots already, or you opened a post from a different account. Menu labels change from time to time, so if your screen looks different, Instagram's Help Center has the current wording.

Open the pinned post, tap the three dots and choose Unpin from profile. The post drops back to where it was originally in your grid by date. Its likes, comments and views stay exactly as they were. You can then pin something else in the free slot.

Think about a stranger who just tapped your name from a Reel or a comment. They give your profile a few seconds. The pinned row is your chance to answer their questions before they scroll away.

A few practical tips:

• Pin proof, not slogans. A real customer result, a finished job or a behind the scenes Reel says more than a graphic with your logo.
• Check the caption of every pinned post. If it mentions a price, date or phone number, make sure it is still correct.
• Review the pins once a month. Swap out anything that has expired. Rotating pins just for the sake of change is not needed.

No. Instagram describes pinning as a profile layout feature. A pinned post is not shown to more people in Feed or Explore because it is pinned. What pinning does is improve the experience of people who already reached your profile, which can help them decide to follow or get in touch.

If you want to understand what actually affects distribution, read our explainer on what the Instagram algorithm really ranks, based on Instagram's own statements.

Some accounts choose to give a pinned introduction post or Reel a small push so it does not look empty to first time visitors. If you go that way, keep it modest, use the exact post link, and never share your password. You can compare options on our Instagram services page. A boost does not replace a clear profile, and platforms do not reward artificial activity, so treat it as a supporting step only.

Can I pin more than three posts on Instagram? No. Three is the current limit. Unpin one to make space for another.

Can I pin a Reel? Yes. Reels you published can be pinned to your profile grid and to the top of your Reels tab.

Can I pin someone else's post? No. You can only pin posts that appear on your own profile, which includes Collab posts you co-authored.

Does unpinning delete the post? No. It simply returns the post to its original place in your grid, with its likes and comments intact.

Will a pinned post get more views? Not because of the pin. It is more visible to people who visit your profile, but Instagram does not use the pin to recommend it more widely.