As far as history goes, we’re living in charmed times — but Shakespeare never had to write an Instagram bio (and let’s face it, the man wasn’t known for being concise). Typing those fateful words into your profile is stressful, and for good reason: your Instagram bio is often the first place other users will look when they’re deciding whether or not to follow you.
Here’s everything you need to know about Instagram bios, and how to write one worthy of a three-act play. Wherefore art thou bio?
What is an Instagram bio?
What makes a good bio for Instagram?
10 Instagram bio ideas
13 Instagram bio tricks you may not know about
Instagram bio templates
Bonus: Unlock 28 inspiring social media bio templates to create your own in seconds and stand out from the crowd.
A bio on Instagram is a description of your account that can be up to 150 characters long and sits at the very top of your profile page, next to your profile picture. It’s a snapshot of your Instagram account and a quick way to show users who you are and what you’re about.
Because of the limited character count, an Instagram bio needs to be concise, easy to read and informative… but don’t be afraid to have fun with it. Emojis and jokes are fair game, even for professionals using the platform. After reading your bio, people should understand what you do and why they should follow you.
A good Instagram bio is a bio that users can’t resist interacting with, whether it’s by slamming that “follow” button, scrolling through (and liking and commenting on) your content, watching your story highlights or sending your Instagram profile to friends. The best Instagram bios are short and sweet, and genuinely convey your personality as a creator or brand.
For more details, watch our video on making the PERFECT Instagram bio:
When you’re dreaming up your bio, try asking yourself these questions — especially if you’re using Instagram for business:
On that last point: All good marketing materials should include a clear and compelling call to action. Good Insta bios are no exception.
Give visitors clear direction if you want them to click the link in your bio, follow your account or take a different specific action.
You might want to add a link to your bio to send people to a page where they can buy your products, or you might have a different conversion goal in mind. Maybe you want people to Like your Facebook page, follow you on TikTok or sign up for your newsletter.
If your goal is to build an Instagram following, your call to action might be simply to ask visitors to press that follow button, or to share their photos with a branded hashtag.
If you’re feeling a little stuck, no fear — there are literally 1.22 billion Instagram users you can get inspiration from. Here are a few bio ideas for Instagram to get you started.
Unfortunately, there’s nothing less funny than trying to be funny. The key to a comedic Instagram bio is keeping honest, like this one from a drink brand.
Source: @innocent
Playing to your audience — and embracing how they see your brand — is another way to get laughs.
Source: @buglesmemes
And when all else fails, being quippy and somewhat vague is also a good source of comedy. If chaos is your brand, embrace it.
Source: @fayedunaway
Using Instagram bio quotes can be a great way to express an idea or create a feeling of connection.
You could use a saying, a line from a poem or song, or any phrase that will mean something to potential followers. Just make sure to give credit where credit is due if you use someone else’s words.
The Quotations Page is a good place to start your search for good Instagram bio quotes.
Here are 15 quote ideas you can copy and paste directly into your Instagram bio.
Creative Instagram biosA bio may only be 150 characters, but that’s more than enough to stretch that creative muscle. During the launch of Netflix’s Heartstopper, the company changed their bio to an invite for the main actors to start a band.
Source: @netflix
This bio from Crocs is so creative, it takes a second to understand — we’ll let you read it before spoiling.
Source: @crocs
Did you get it? It’s “If you ain’t Croc-ing, you ain’t rocking.”
If you can’t make up your mind, do it all. Insta-famous Italian greyhound Tika has emojis, a quote from Lizzo, “Fashion Model” and “Gay Icon” status, and a link to her book in her bio. Impressive (but not as impressive as a dog writing a book).
Source: @tikatheiggy
“All your friends are so cool, you go out every night” — Olivia Rodrigo. Who is pretty cool herself: this short, informative and rhyming bio says it all.
Source: @oliviarodrigo
Another way to up the cool factor: commit an ultimate branding faux pas and don’t introduce yourself in an easily identifiable way. For example, most folks would identify Serena Williams as a tennis superstar. In her Instagram bio, she’s simply “Olympia’s mom.” It feels very true to her, and that’s cool.
Source: @serenawilliams
There’s a pattern here — ”cool” and “short” go hand-in-hand. If you want a cool bio for Instagram, being too wordy won’t help. If that’s what you’re going for, try and be as concise as possible. Like Lizzo.
Source: @lizzobeeating
Speaking of short — if you don’t need 150 characters, don’t use them. Dating app Bumble’s bio simply prompts folks to make the first move.
Source: @bumble
Fewer words makes the words you do use more powerful, and really makes a statement.
Source: @bobthedragqueen
Or, you can go in a totally opposite direction and write a short bio that few, if any, will understand.
You do you.
Source: @kirstentitus
A clever Instagram bio will score a chuckle (and hopefully a follow) from users. Stay self aware and lighthearted, and the cleverness will come. Old Spice’s bio is a play on the bizarre masculinity that’s present in men’s deodorant branding.
Source: @oldspice
Tiffany Haddish hypes herself, but stays humble in her Instagram bio.
Source: @tiffanyhaddish
And sometimes, the cleverest route is the simplest: in a world of people trying to be as cool as possible, artist Allie Brosh just tells it like it is, and really stands out.
Source: @allie_brosh
Emojis are like cheating (the good kind). When words fail, emojis are there. Designers Josh and Matt describe their relationship, career, home base and pets all in a single line of emojis.
Source: @joshandmattdesign
You can also use emojis like bullet points for a super-aesthetic look.
Source: @oliveandbeanphoto
Or, go with the classic (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it) and substitute emojis for the words they represent — hearts for love, etc.
Source: @pickle.the.pig
If you’re using Instagram for business, a bio can be a great place to introduce yourself (more and more folks are using social media to research brands). Kraft peanut butter has a great example of a succinct bio that describes their company.
Source: @kraftpeanutbutter_ca
Businesses can also use their bio to describe their brand ethos, and what makes them different from others in the industry.
Source: @ocin
If you’re doing affiliate marketing or partnering with other businesses, a bio is a good place to put discount codes or promotions related to those affiliations.
Source: @phillychinchilly
Your link in bio is a rich place for users to gain more resources and information about your brand.
Make sure your audience sees it by pointing to it. Yeah, we mean literally. Clothing brand Free Label uses their bio to identify what the link is (in this case, a path to their latest launch).
Source: @free.label
In a similar fashion, artist Zoe Si uses her bio to point to her latest book, which is accessible through her link in bio.
Source: @zoesees
Sometimes, you just want the facts. Having the answer to your most frequently asked questions — in the example below, that’s probably “When are you open?” — can pay off. It might not be fun, but it’s simple and clear.
Source: superflux.cabana
Hungry for more? We got you. Here are some tips to make sure you have the best bio for Instagram.
Bonus: Unlock 28 inspiring social media bio templates to create your own in seconds and stand out from the crowd.
Get the free templates now!
Technically, you can only use one “font” in your Instagram bio. But there are tools out there that will help you create the look of a custom font by mapping your text to existing special characters.
Here’s an example of what Hootsuite writer Christine’s bio looks like in a few different fonts, as created using the tool Instagram Fonts.
That third one is a little bonkers, but you could pick and choose a few words to incorporate strategically for visual appeal. In general, it’s a good idea to use this trick sparingly, for emphasis, rather than dressing your entire bio up in fancy fonts.
Once you find a font style you like, just copy and paste it into your Instagram bio.
We’ve already talked about using emojis. But you can also go old-school and use special text symbols to break ★ up ★ your ★ bio. (Remember Wingdings and Webdings? How very 1990s.
)
This trick uses the same principle as the tip above, but instead of using symbols to create the look of a custom font, you can use them as retro emojis or unique bullet points:
Source: @blogger
The easiest way to find your special character is to open a new Google Doc, then click Insert and choose Special characters.
You can scroll through the available options, search by keyword, or even draw a shape to find a similar character. Then, just copy and paste into your Instagram bio.
This is particularly useful for businesses: customers will want to know who (and where) they’re buying from. Marking your location can also help your brand be more searchable.
When you add your address to your Instagram business profile, it also appears below your bio but does not use up any of your bio character count. This is another great way to free up space for more compelling bio information. Be warned, your address only shows up on mobile.
Source: @pourhouse
Business profiles can include contact information in the form of buttons that allow people to phone you, email you, or get directions to your business directly from Instagram. This is another one that only shows up on mobile.
Source: @midnightpaloma
Another mobile-only feature: You can encourage people to take action straight from your Instagram bio with CTA buttons. These allow your followers to take direct actions like ordering food from your restaurant, or buying tickets for your event.
Source: @maenamrestaurant
You’ll find these options under Action Buttons when editing your business profile.
You get one clickable link in your Instagram bio. Since you can’t use clickable links in Instagram feed posts (unless you’re using Instagram ads or Instagram Shopping), your bio link is valuable real estate.
You can change the URL as often as you like. You might want to link to your newest or most important content (like your latest blog post or video), a special campaign, or a landing page specifically for visitors coming from Instagram.
You can also use Instagram tools like Linktree to set up a mobile landing page with multiple links. That way, you don’t have to keep updating the link in your Instagram bio, which can lead to outdated “link in bio” statements on older posts.
If your primary social media is on a different platform and you consider Instagram a necessary evil, that’s okay — you can use your bio as a way to direct other users to that platform.
Comedian Ziwe Fumudoh rarely posts on Instagram, but is very active on TikTok, so she uses her bio to steer audiences towards that app.
Source: @ziwef
Lush, weirdly, “departed” from social media but still has an active Instagram and uses their link in bio to explain why they’re not online.
Source: @lushcosmetics
People don’t tend to read information online. Instead, they scan for bite-sized chunks of information.
Make that information easy to identify using line breaks.
Okoko Cosmetiques uses a combination of emojis and line breaks to create this cute Instagram bio:
Source: @okokocosmetiques
It’s really easy to add line breaks using the Instagram web interface. Simply space your bio as you would like it to appear.
On mobile, your best bet is to create your bio with the spacing you want using a notes app. Then, copy and paste it into your Instagram bio field. Or, use one of the Instagram bio templates below.
If you want to, it’s great to share your pronouns on Instagram. Since the option was first added in May 2021, it’s become customary on the app to add your pronouns to your bio, whether you’re cisgender, transgender or nonbinary. Displaying your pronouns means your followers will know how to properly address you, and normalizing the practice helps make everyone feels more comfortable on the platform.
Source: @ddlovato
Hashtags in your Instagram bio are clickable links. Keep in mind, though, that Instagram bios do not appear in hashtag search results. Adding Instagram hashtags to your bio won’t make it more discoverable.
That means you should not include hashtags unless they are directly related to your business, because each one represents an opportunity for potential followers to click away.
However, adding a branded hashtag to your bio is a great way to promote and collect user-generated content.
This is one of the best ways for businesses to use hashtags in their bio. When a user clicks on the hashtag, they will see all the content your fans and followers have posted, which creates excellent social proof for your business.
Source: @hellotushy
Branded hashtags are also a great way to get more content: you can reshare follower’s posts that use the hashtag. In fact, some users build their entire following off of user-submitted posts.
Source: @chihuahua_vibes
If you have a personal and a business account, or you’re involved in a cool project that has its own handle, you can tag that account in your bio. This can help people identify you (Oh, THAT’S where I know Zendaya from) but be careful using them, as they may encourage audiences to navigate away from your page. (This is something Zendaya likely does not care about).
Source: @zendaya
If you have a business profile on Instagram, you can choose a category for your business. This appears under your name and can help people see what you do at a glance.
Source: @elmo
Elmo, for example, is a public figure.
Using a category for your business can free up space in your Instagram bio, since you don’t need to repeat this information. However, it only appears in the mobile view, so you can’t assume everyone will see it.
As long as you remember to update your bio regularly, you can use it to announce news about new products and updates for your brand. If you’re going to put a date in your bio, though, mark your calendar or set a reminder to change it. If you have an old date in your bio, it makes your account look like it’s not being monitored closely.
After Mexican pizza made its triumphant return, Taco Bell updated this bio.
Source: @tacobell
Still not sure what to include in your Instagram bio? We’ve created some social media bio templates, including IG bio ideas, to get you started.
Bonus: Unlock 28 inspiring social media bio templates to create your own in seconds and stand out from the crowd.
Manage your Instagram presence alongside your other social channels and save time using Hootsuite. From a single dashboard, you can schedule and publish posts, engage the audience, and measure performance.
Try it free today.
Get Started
Easily create, analyze, and schedule Instagram posts, Stories, and Reels with Hootsuite. Save time and get results.
Free 30-Day Trial
Nowadays, your Instagram bio is pretty much a cover letter, portfolio, and website all wrapped up in one.
And with just seconds (and limited character space) to introduce yourself and convey your value, how do you decide which details to include?
We've got you covered. We're sharing eight tips to craft a memorable Instagram bio so you can make a lasting impression:
What Is an Instagram Bio?Geographically, an Instagram bio sits beneath your profile picture and is used to describe the contents of your page.
This space includes:
And because your bio is often the first touch point for new visitors, it’s the perfect opportunity to communicate who you are, and what you offer, straight from the jump (more on that below!).
Pssst, level-up your Instagram bio with Linkin.bio by Later — a mini web page built into your profile that makes your content more clickable. Sign up today — for free!
What Makes a Good Instagram Bio?A good Instagram bio can mean the difference between a visitor hitting follow, or tapping away.
And with only 150 characters to set the stage, the greats keep their bios short, sweet, and most importantly, informative.
Check out how the Black in Fashion Council account communicates what they’re all about in one concise sentence:
You can also use your bio to encourage users to take action — whether it's through a compelling CTA (call-to-action) to your website or a branded hashtag for collecting UGC (user-generated content).
For example, see how Book of the Month implores users to join their branded hashtag — resulting in over 500K posts:
Suffice it to say, action + your brand’s story = an increase in engagement and conversions, too.
For even more insight on what makes a good Instagram bio, check out this YouTube video.
8 Instagram Bio IdeasReady to learn what it takes to create a killer Instagram bio? Here are eight tactics to stand out from the crowd:
Share Your Story
Include Targeted Keywords in the Name Field
Use a Link in Bio Tool
Add a Call-To-Action and Action Buttons
Share Your Contact Information
Choose a Relevant Profile Picture
Tag Related Accounts and Add Your Branded Hashtag
Use Instagram Stories Highlights
Like Charles Wright once sang, express yourself!
Think of your Instagram bio as a 150-character sales pitch.
Whether it’s a bulleted list or a few short lines, use this space to speak directly to your target audience and detail your story.
That way, new visitors and prospective customers will understand you or your brand, immediately.
Take a look at how Sarah Chetrit introduces herself, and what her page offers in three succinct lines:
By laying down the groundwork and communicating her value, this fine-tuned bio has the power to turn visitors into followers.
P. S. Don’t be afraid to add a bit of personality to the mix. Emojis and relevant puns are highly encouraged here.
Need help writing your Instagram bio? Download our free Instagram bio worksheet to brainstorm and create an effective bio.
Instagram Bio Idea #2: Use Targeted Keywords in the Name FieldDid you know that the name field in your Instagram bio is completely separate from your username?
It’s a valuable (and rarely used!) SEO tactic to reach even more users as they search — improving your visibility on the app.
So, take a moment to brainstorm keywords your ideal customer might search for on Instagram.
This could be your niche, the products you sell, or the city your business is located.
Once you find the right keywords, pop them in!
For example, check out how content creator Lauren Toyota uses the name field to reveal more about her page:
Rather than simply using “chef”, Lauren includes the keywords, “vegan chef” to open up a world of discovery for her account.
Now, if someone searches “vegan chef” on Instagram’s Explore Page, Lauren's account has a better chance of appearing in the list of results:
Just remember to consider what your visitors might be looking for and use your Instagram bio’s name field to your advantage!
Looking to boost your SEO ranking? We’re sharing 3 easy ways to increase your discoverability in the video below:
Instagram Bio Idea #3: Use a Link in Bio ToolYour Instagram bio only allows one external link, so it’s important to be strategic about how you use it.
Enter: Later's link in bio tool, Linkin.
bio.
With Linkin.bio, you can create a landing page with unlimited button links and a clickable version of your Instagram feed.
This makes it easier to direct followers to specific web pages referenced in your posts, without having to frequently update the URL in your Instagram bio.
And the best news? It’s free!
Plus, with Later’s Shopify integration, you can tag up to five products directly in your Linkin.bio feed posts:
In other words: a faster and more streamlined checkout experience for your customers. Talk about a serious win-win.
Ready to optimize your Instagram bio with Linkin.bio by Later? Sign up today, it’s free!
Instagram Bio Idea #4: Add a Call-To-Action and Action ButtonsIf you want to drive more engagement from your bio, all you have to do is ask!
For example, if you’re offering a new promo, a resource, or requesting a follow, make sure to let your profile visitors know.
Apostrophe invites users to partake in a CTA by tagging their account for a chance to be featured:
Whichever CTA (or CTAs) you choose, remember to be clear and specific.
The clearer you are, the better the chance of driving tons of traffic and engagement.
Another tactic to encourage more taps on your profile? Make use of those Action Buttons.
Depending on your account, you can include: Order food, Book now, Get quote, Reserve, or View shop.
This way, you create an easier access point to yourself and your services.
Instagram Bio Idea #5: Include Contact DetailsIf you want your profile to be a one-stop-shop for new visitors, you’ll need to make it easy for them to contact you.
One of the best ways to do that is to switch to an Instagram business profile.
Doing so lets you include your email address, phone number, and WhatsApp without sacrificing any precious character space.
Additionally, you can include a business or brand category that will appear underneath your name field — so people can know what you do.
Once that’s all set up, a visitor can easily reach out to you directly via email, a phone call, or be given directions to your location with ease.
Instagram Bio Idea #6: Choose a Relevant Profile PictureWhen it comes to social branding, your profile picture is what people recognize most.
If you’re a brand or product-based business, you’ll want to ensure that everyone who lands on your Instagram profile is quickly introduced to who you are.
Think company logo, or a clear shot of a product you’re best known for:
On the other hand, if you’re an influencer, creator, or offer a personal service — such as a photographer, or life coach — you might want to use a headshot.
Why? Because “you” are the main part of your brand, and you should introduce yourself to visitors right off the bat.
Faith Broussard Cade, Liana Satenstein, and Lauren Spencer each use an on-brand headshot to keep things clear:
Though it might sound simple, using a headshot or logo helps followers instantly recognize your brand as they scroll Instagram.
TIP: Much like a diamond, clarity is key. Be sure to choose a clear, high-resolution image.
Instagram Bio Idea #7: Tag Related Accounts and a Branded HashtagMajor “hack” alert: profile usernames and hashtags included in your Instagram bio are clickable links.
Why does this matter?
Because it gives you the ability to promote sister brands, highlight your founder’s Instagram account, or drive traffic to a branded hashtag.
Take a look at how Wan Wan Thai Restaurant uses their Instagram bio to spotlight three sister restaurants, @wayla.nyc, @kimika.nyc, and @lotusandcleaver:
While Deepica Mutyala and Reels Tips highlight branded hashtags in their bios:
NOTE: Placing hashtags in your Instagram bio doesn’t make your profile discoverable via hashtag search, but a branded hashtag can help you spotlight and collect user-generated content (UGC).
Instagram Bio Idea #8: Use Instagram Stories HighlightsInstagram Stories Highlights appear directly under your Instagram bio and play as a stand-alone story when someone taps on them.
They’re perfect for sharing valuable information about your brand, spotlighting your community, and showing your personality.
Skincare brand Glow Recipe uses highlights to showcase how its recycling program works, announce new products, and share blog content like their “Boss Babes” series:
This provides additional information and value to profile visitors, so it’s a good idea to be strategic in how you set them up.
PRO TIP: To elevate your Instagram Stories Highlights even further, create a set of covers to ensure a consistent look and feel.
Suzanne Spiegoski and Herbivore Botanicals have created cover images and icons that reflect their overall vibe:
However you decide to style your Instagram Stories Highlights, a consistent collection can make your bio more appealing and click-worthy.
And that’s it, eight tactics to level-up your Instagram bio to attract your ideal audience, drive traffic, and convert sales.
If you haven't updated your Instagram bio in a while, now’s the perfect time to give it a refresh and turn visitors into followers!
FYI: Later's Instagram Scheduler is trusted by 4M+ marketers, creators, and small businesses. Sign up today and start planning your Instagram posts in advance — for free:
Following the advice of friends and family, you follow Instagram to promote your business on social networks But, being not very practical in using these modern means of communication, you are in doubt how to change section of your profile so that it can be distinguished from sections of other users.
If that's the case and you're interested in how to make a bio on instagram , you'll be glad to hear that you've found the right guide at the right time. Basically, in the following lines, I will explain how to edit Instagram biography from Android, iPhone and PC.
Then I'll cover how to format the text to align it, and finally give some tips on how to write an actionable biography.
How do you say? Do you want to know more about it? In this case, if you are itching to read the advice that I have prepared for you, I suggest that you feel comfortable and comfortable in front of the computer, just take a few minutes of free time and, holding your smartphone in your hand, devote yourself to reading the lines they follow . I wish you good reading and, above all, good "work".
to edit biography on Instagram can work as a mobile phone using Instagram for Android or iOS, but also from a computer by connecting to the official website of the photographic social network. In the following lines I will explain how to proceed in all cases.
Yes, edit your biography in Instagram , if you want to act from your mobile phone (or even tablet), launch the app Instagram for Android or iOS and sign in with your account.
After that, go to your profile section by clicking on the small person icon located in the menu below, then click the button. Edit Profile to edit the Biography section of from your Instagram profile.
On the next screen that appears, tap the text field that appears and write a personalized message that represents you, given that you have Symbols 150 .
You can insert special characters, emoticons, hashtags, and links to other profiles in your Instagram bio. To do the latter, enter @ @ followed by the username of the profile you want to link to (for example, @ Creative Stop ).
After setting the biography, confirm the changes made by pressing the button with the symbol (√) en Android or in the named final en iOS , which is always at the top right.
If you want to edit the biography of Instagram acting like a computer, you will be happy to know that the operations you need to perform are just as easy and immediate. To continue, first connect to the official website of Instagram or use Instagram for Windows 10 and sign in with your account.
Once this is done, press little man badge is located at the top right (or bottom right, from Windows 10 ) to view your profile section. Now click on the Edit Your Profile button and use the Biography text box that you will find on the next screen to edit your bio by writing a personalized message representing you.
Remember that bio text can be a maximum of characters 150 and may contain emoticons, special characters and/or hashtags that are used to better categorize your profile. Also, if you want to mention another Instagram account in your bio, type @ @ followed by the username of the profile you want to mention (for example, @ Creative Stop ).
Finally, to confirm the changes made, press the button SEND to which is at the bottom (from Development to ). This button is called final and is located in the upper right corner in the app for Windows 10 .
You want your profile to stand out, so you ask yourself how to make bio on instagram ? In this case, you should first know that there is no real solution for this, as Instagram It does not have a bio text alignment tool.
However, you can succeed using an alternative method: just copy and paste a few blank spaces in the biography before the text you want to write. In the following lines, I will show you how to proceed, but be aware that this solution may not work as it is a trick.
Text biography center Instagram First launch the Android or iOS app or connect to the official social networking site from your PC to log into your account. Alternatively, you can use the Windows 10 app as the steps are the same.
Once this is done, as I explained in previous chapters, press the little man icon located in the menu at the bottom right (in Android / iOS ) or top right (from Development es Windows 10 ) to go to your profile section. Then press the button Edit your profile and check the text box Biography , the section used to edit your profile bio Instagram .
At this point, before writing the text, paste some blank spaces by copying them directly from the following, enclosed in two brackets. This step, although somewhat "cumbersome", is necessary to complete the operation. In fact, if you manually enter spaces in the textbox Biography , without copying and pasting them, they will be deleted and the text will not be formatted correctly.
[⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
With that said, if you are reading this guide to Android o iOS , to do this, hold your finger on the text, then select only the empty spaces in brackets and press button Copy . On a PC, select empty spaces with the mouse and press the key combination. Ctrl + C (Windows) or command + c (Mack YOU).
Now you need to insert spaces according to the section text box.
Biography Instagram: To do this from Android or iOS, first tap the text field and then voice Catch . On a PC, instead, press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + V (Windows) or Command + v (Mac OS).
Then enter your biography text, and when you reach the end, insert the blank spaces again so that the text you want to write is centered. After completing the settings, confirm the changes: to do this, press the button (√) on Android, on button final on iOS, on button SEND from the web, or to final from Windows 10.
that your profile bio is a great business card, so you should take care of it the best you can.
In this regard, I remind you that the maximum can be entered in the Instagram biography.
Symbols 150 and they also include spaces, hashtags and mentions. Given the small box in which you can introduce yourself, the advice I want to give you is to clearly and succinctly express who you are and what your interests are (which you can perhaps formulate as a hashtag).
Then state what you do and why people should follow it. Optionally, if you want companies to contact you via email for collaboration, enter the email address directly into the bio text box (or go to the company profile to paste it into the appropriate contact section). If, on the other hand, you would like to be contacted via private messages directly on Instagram, indicate your willingness to receive the latter.
Also remember that if you have a website, you can promote it by pasting the link into the text field. website Development of , which you will always find in the Profile edition section.
In this regard, I have walked you in more detail on how to insert links on Instagram in my tutorial on the topic.
Content
In addition to the obvious sheer number of users, Instagram's visual nature makes it an ideal platform for promoting physical products. This is why many e-commerce stores sell through Instagram and even use it as the main sales channel .
One of the most important characteristics of a successful Instagram ecommerce strategy is profile bio . This is usually the first thing users see when they log into your account. A strong bio can improve brand perception and awareness while increasing the number of clicks on your call to action.
To understand how to write a great Instagram bio, we analyzed 100 randomly selected Instagram stores. We studied what calls to action, language and information they used in their biographies. Following the example of these stores, you can change your store profile to improve performance.
We started by selecting 100 stores at random using the hashtag #onlinestore on Instagram. For a better analysis, we ignored partner stores and individuals promoting products from other stores.
At the end of the data collection phase, our spreadsheet looked like this:
Our list was very broad in scope. We had big stores with over 1.6 million followers (@saboskirt) and new small stores with just over 1800 followers (@xanasboutique).
Here are some of the things we learned about Instagram bios from this analysis:
Sounds like it sounds like “is this a joke?” but how many times have you been on Instagram and a stunning image caught your attention? You scroll through the grid and even read the bio… before thinking to yourself, “I wonder what they do.
”
Put your business ahead of everything else so there is no confusion.
If you're positioning yourself as an expert, the first step to creating a good Instagram bio is to make sure your name is actually your name! By this we mean the "name" field on your profile, not your Instagram username. People searching for you on Instagram are more likely to use your name or your company name, and consistency lets people know that the Instagram profile they're viewing is actually yours and not an impostor.
This may seem pretty obvious, but there's actually a bigger reason for it: your name and username are the only fields that Instagram considers in searches. So it's very important to make sure that the name you use in your Instagram bio is what your followers and customers are looking for!
For example, if you work in the healthcare industry, you can include your full name along with your job title. That way, when people search for you on Instagram, they can easily find the right account.
Instagram also honors the username and first name fields in search queries, so it's a good idea to make sure they're optimized. With that in mind, you can use keywords that potential subscribers might be looking for. Do you offer a specific service? Are you known for something special?
A CTA is probably the most important part of any Instagram bio . This is what you want users to click on when they land on your page.
Calls to action can generally be divided into three categories:
Our analysis shows that most stores still don't use CTAs properly. The majority of stores (70%) directed users to their non-targeted home pages. Very few directed users to social media pages.
If possible, direct users to custom landing pages for Instagram users. Here is a great example from @georginasasha. The store bio directs users to instashop
The landing page is called "Instashop" and shows the latest items featured on the Instagram page:
Clicking on any of the products (notice how the URL changes to a unicorn - fun touch!) , You will see the checkout form:
Alternatively, you can create a social media shopping page using tools like Like2Buy. Here's an example from SwimsuitsForAll:
If you don't want to go down this path (or if it's too expensive/time consuming), at least link to your new arrivals, top selling or featured products.
Dissh, for example, directs users to their new arrivals:
If you link to your homepage, at least make sure you have a dedicated section for new arrivals and recommended products. Make this section the very top of the page so that users can easily find your in-demand products.
During our analysis, we found that average profile length was about 143 characters . The average was 150 characters.
Keep in mind that this length includes your CTA.
Stores with very long biographies (more than 200 characters) usually contain tons of information. For example, @barbiesonly's bio has 208 characters. It includes store address, email, phone number and website in bio:
At the other end of the spectrum are stores like @sorellaboutique that only include a CTA and a hashtag.
Profile length must be 140-160 characters. This gives you plenty of room to include CTA, phone information, email, etc.
Should you use emojis in your Instagram bio?
Our analysis showed that most stores prefer to use them:
However, instead of emphasizing emotions, most stores use emoticons to separate and mark key information . For example, @thealphabetpress uses a simple block emoji icon to list all of its features and services:
Similarly, @moorepiecesboutique uses emoji to identify its location, shipping policy, phone number, and email:
Does this mean that emoji have no place for fun?
Of course not! Here is an example from @thyrahshoppe. Note the water splashes, bikini and emoji on the palm next to the copy - "endless summer".
Our recommendation
You have limited space in your profile bio; make the best use of it. Use emoticons sparingly . They work best when you use them to identify key information about a store - its location, hours of operation, email address, and contact number.
@suelasonline is a good format to follow:
A common piece of advice you'll see on the internet is to use hashtags in your bio. These could be:
Generic hashtags are usually good for boosting your visibility. For example, if you include the hashtag #picoftheday in your bio, your profile will be visible when someone searches for that hashtag.
Branded hashtags are useful for curating posts. You can also use them to request user-generated content (UGC). For example, Coke recently ran a contest where users had to submit images with the #CokeEssenceFestContest hashtag.
Should you include such hashtags in your biography?
Here's what our data showed:
It's clear that hashtags aren't very popular, at least in profile bios.
Interestingly, of the 14 stores that used hashtags, only one used a common tag. The rest used branded hashtags.
The most common use of branded hashtags is to collect user-generated content, as in this example @threadless:
Our recommendation
Hashtags are not needed for a strong Instagram bio. But if you use them, you should use branded hashtags only and combine them with the user-generated content campaign.
You can also use branded hashtags as a way to brand your store. For example, @shoploveyourz uses the hashtag #loveyourzcurves to promote body acceptance.
If you don't already have a user-generated content campaign, adding a hashtag would be a waste of space.
What information should you include in your store biography—email address, phone number, address, or store hours? There is a simple answer to this question: is all you need .
In our data, we saw a clear bias towards email and phone numbers.
This makes sense for online stores. They usually don't have a physical location and therefore store opening hours. Email is a much better way to communicate and collect orders.
Interestingly, many stores mentioned their WhatsApp when they listed their phone numbers. This was especially true for stores located outside the US and EU.
When we looked at larger stores (>300,000 subscribers), we saw a clear preference for email over the phone. Larger stores receive more orders. It can be difficult to trace them over the phone.
Our recommendation
There is no one piece of advice that fits all when it comes to key store information. Include whatever you think is necessary to give your customers the best service.
Enabling email is a good idea. Only add a phone number if you can actually respond to customer inquiries (this can be difficult for understaffed retailers). And of course, the physical location/store hours are only necessary if you have physical stores.
