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.

Ready to learn what it takes to create a killer Instagram bio? Here are eight tactics to stand out from the crowd: 

1. Share Your Story 

2. Include Targeted Keywords in the Name Field

3. Use a Link in Bio Tool

4. Add a Call-To-Action and Action Buttons

5. Share Your Contact Information 

6. Choose a Relevant Profile Picture

7. Tag Related Accounts and Add Your Branded Hashtag 

8. 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.

Did 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: 

Your 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!

If 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.

If 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.

When 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.

Major “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 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:

What to Put in Your Instagram Bio for a Good First Impression

Writing a good Instagram bio might seem straightforward, but it actually requires some strategy and creativity.

According to researchers, within the first 7 seconds of meeting you, people will have a solid impression of who you are — and it can be even shorter online.

So, if you’re using Instagram for Business, you’ll want to make a good first impression with your Instagram bio, and use it to attract new followers and potential customers!

Ready to learn what to put in your Instagram bio that will convince visitors to click the “follow” button? Here’s how:

What to Put in Your Instagram Bio: Our Top 6 Tips

• Optimize Your Name for Search Queries

• Add Your Skills & Target Audience

• Include Relevant Keywords

• Optimize Your Website Link

• Share Your Contact Information

• Get Creative & Show Your Personality

• Instagram Bio Checklist (bonus!)

Tip #1: Optimize Your Instagram Name

The first step to creating a good Instagram bio is making sure that your Name Field is optimized with your name and/or a searchable keyword.

For example, if you’re in the healthcare industry, you may want to include your full name along with your job title. This way, when people search for you on Instagram, they’ll be able to easily find the correct account.

Take note of how therapist Meghan Watson uses the Name Field to include her occupation for extra clarity:

Instagram also considers the name and username fields in search queries, so it’s a great idea to make sure they’re optimized.

With this in mind, you may want to use keywords that potential followers may search for. Do you offer a specific service? Are you known for something in particular?

Take chef and writer Hannah Che, for example. She uses the Name Field to include her name and a keyword: vegan recipes.

Now, whenever someone searches “vegan recipes” on Instagram, her account will be among one of the first they see. And her simple and to-the-point Instagram bio let’s visitors know what her posts will be about.

Ready to make your Instagram bio stand out? Download our free Instagram bio worksheet to help you start planning:

Tip #2: Highlight Your Skills & Target Audience

A good Instagram bio explains what your business does and who it’s for (aka your target audience).

Goldleaf checks every item on the list with their Instagram bio:

They include “science-forward journals and decor” at the beginning of their bio, and mention they’re for “cannabis patients, growers, and enthusiasts”. Right away, new visitors will know exactly what the brand sells and if their products fit their interests. Short and sweet.

If you’re an entrepreneur or creator, you can also use your Instagram bio to help set you apart in your industry. Think about your skills or any experiences that might be of interest to potential followers.

Candace of @candaceabroad, is a travel blogger who uses her bio to highlight that she’s an American expat living in London:

Not only will this tidbit serve as an introduction to her profile, but it lets people know she’ll be exploring London and creating guides from the perspective of someone who moved abroad (with proof that they can do the same!).

Schedule photos and videos directly to Instagram (no push notification required) with our Auto Publish feature.

Tip #3: Use Relevant Keywords

Using targeted keywords - also known as Instagram SEO - in your bio won’t improve your searchability on Instagram (except, as we mentioned above, for your name and username) but it can help give your account more focus and connect you with like-minded followers.

It can also get your purpose across at a glance, which is important when you have a limited amount of characters to play with.

When deciding what keywords to include in your Instagram bio, think about your core values and interests, and those of your target audience.

The Chalkboard Mag does this by using keywords like “wellness”, “nutrition”, “self-care”, and “design”:

If you use Instagram for business, spend some time creating a “persona ” of your ideal follower.

What are their pain points or interests? What keywords will resonate with them?

Using keywords that target your audience and niche will help users better understand who you are, what you have to offer, and whether or not your account is relevant to them.

Check out how Headspace use keywords like “happiness” and “meditate” in their Instagram bio to explain what they do and connect with followers:

Tip #4: Drive Traffic a Link in Bio Tool

The link in your Instagram bio is easy to find and readily clickable, making it one of the most valuable traffic drivers on your profile. Putting a link in your Instagram bio can lead to more engaged customers and revenue for your business.

And the good news is, with Later's link in bio tool, Linkin.bio turns your whole Instagram feed into a clickable landing page and drives traffic to your online store, event page, video, or blog.

This means, you can add links to any of the Instagram posts you’ve published, which helps direct your Instagram audience to the right content or products on your site.

And if you’re on a Later Growth or Advanced plan, you can connect your Shopify account to Linkin.bio! In a few clicks, tag Shopify products in your Linkin.bio posts and make it even easier to shop your feed.

Ready to turn followers into customers with a shoppable Instagram feed? Start using Linkin.bio today!

Tip #5: Add Your Contact Information

With an Instagram business profile, you can add contact information to your Instagram bio. This includes your email address, phone number, and brick-and-mortar address.

The best part? It doesn’t take up any character space in your bio!

Skincare company Eluo Beauty and jewelry brand Greda Co. have contact information available for new visitors and their followers:

The benefit to putting contact information in your Instagram bio is that it makes it easy to contact you. It can also act as a visual prompt for someone to reach out if they have a question or inquiry.

Tip #6: Get Creative With Your Instagram Bio

While it’s important to convey who you are and what you do in your Instagram bio, you should also think of it as a space for you to show off your personality and have fun.

Here are 3 ways to put some creativity into your Instagram bio:

Use Emojis to Space Out Your Text

One way to space out the text in your Instagram bio is by incorporating emojis. You can use them to break up any text-heavy sections in your bio, like Poppy’s Happy Doodles or Sam Ushiro:

You can also use emojis to highlight any CTAs (call-to-actions) or add some pizzazz to your bio, like Later:

Include a Branded Hashtag

Whether you’re promoting an Instagram contest or UGC (user-generated content) campaign, including a clickable branded hashtag in your Instagram bio can help drive engagement.

Beverage brand Sunwink encourages followers to use #DrinkSunwink for a chance to be featured:

Including your branded hashtag in your bio is also a great way to get your followers into the habit of using it, like Apartment Therapy:

Plus, users can now follow hashtags on Instagram, so if they follow your branded hashtag, it can help keep your brand top-of-mind.

Add Line Breaks to Your Bio

Adding line breaks to your Instagram bio is a great way to make the information more bite-sized and consumable.

The easiest way to add line breaks to your Instagram bio is to format it on the web version of the app. Once done, you’ll have a bio that’s easier to read, like Darryl Cheng’s @houseplantjournal:

Instagram Bio Checklist

A good Instagram bio is one that creates a great first impression and convinces users to click the “follow” button on your account. Here’s a recap of what we covered:

• Explain who you are and what you do

• Target your niche audience with specific keywords

• Link to your website or blog using Later's link in bio tool, Linkin.bio

• Provide additional ways for your followers to get in touch

• Show your personality

Whatever approach you decide to take for your Instagram bio, it’s worthwhile to invest some time and effort in the process.

Once you have a bio you’re happy with, ask a few people in your network what impression they get when they visit your profile and use their feedback to help make any adjustments.

And as your business grows and evolves, you can set time aside every few months to review your bio and make sure you’re always telling the story you want to tell.

Ready to save time and optimize your Instagram bio? With Linkin.bio by Later, you can turn visitors into customers. Get started for free now!

How to write a flawless Instagram bio for a business account

If you sell products online, you really can't ignore Instagram.

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 as their main sales channel.

One of the most important characteristics of a successful Instagram e-commerce strategy is profile biography . 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. nine0003

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:

Start with what you're doing

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. nine0003

This may seem pretty obvious, but there's actually a bigger reason for this: 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. nine0003

Instagram also respects the name and username 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?

Use a CTA

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. nine0003

Calls to action can generally be divided into three categories:

• Home Page : A link to the store's home page. It's far from ideal, as it's not very targeted. A user who clicks to view a product may become confused due to the length of the home page.
• Landing Page : This can either be a dedicated landing page for Instagram-only users, or an internal page that directs users to a product or category (such as "new arrivals"). They are are great for most stores.
• Social shopping page : This is usually a carefully curated page with products featured on your Instagram page. Users can buy products directly from this social media page.

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. nine0003

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 that route (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 its new arrivals:

If you link to your home page, 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. nine0003

Bio length about 140-160 characters

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.

The length of the profile must be 140-160 characters. This gives you plenty of space to include CTA, phone information, email, etc.

Use emojis

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". nine0003

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:

Use hashtags only when necessary

A common piece of advice you'll see on the internet is to use hashtags in your bio. These can be:

• General: hashtags related to a keyword (eg #shoes), an event (eg #coachella), or an Instagram trend (eg #picoftheday).
• Branded: Brand-related hashtags like #ASOS, #cocacola, etc.

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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 only use branded hashtags and combine them with a 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. nine0003

If you don't already have a user-generated content campaign, adding a hashtag would be a waste of space.

Include key information

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 .

We saw a clear bias towards email and phone numbers in our data.

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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.

A good way to make this information more visible is to add emoticons, for example:

You can also include your Facebook account if this is an important marketing channel for you. If space permits, also include information about shipping rules. This is especially useful if you are targeting overseas clients. nine0003

Putting It All Together: Creating a Great Instagram Bio

Based on the lessons we've learned, here's what you should have in your Instagram bio:

• Your store name
• 140 to 160 characters long.
• CTA link to Instagram landing page or social media shopping page. Or a link to your latest/top selling products.
• Emoticons to highlight key information (phone number, email address, etc.)
• A branded hashtag for storing images and videos (if you're running a user-generated content campaign).
• Brand Brief

Including all of this information will make your store stand out from other stores on Instagram. After making these changes, you should see an increase in engagement and clicks.

Download checklist in pdf

Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash.

10 important tips - Social networks on vc.ru

Hello! My name is Yulia Toloknova and today I will share 10 secrets on how to make a profile header on Instagram. nine0003

395 218 views

Instagram header is the first impression of your profile. It is after reading it that users decide whether to stay or leave. Today I share with you useful tips on how to design your profile header on Instagram.

1. Name

Please do not confuse the name and nickname of the account. The name is a bold line in the profile header, in which you must specify keywords that define the main topic of the profile. This line contains 30 characters, so go ahead! nine0003

If your business is local, then (in addition to keywords) it is desirable to indicate the city in this line.

• KNITTING. CAPS. MOSCOW is good.
• I DO EVERYTHING AND NOTHING - badly.
  
• ANECHKA or IRINKA IVANOVA - bad.
  

Why are the last two examples bad? Let me remind you that the bold line in the profile is a search line by which your potential customers and future subscribers can find you. Agree, it’s unlikely that they will search for you by the word “Anechka” or “Irinka Ivanova”. It makes sense to write your full name in this line if you are a famous person or your personal brand is known to the people. nine0003

2. 150 characters to make you fall in love with yourself

The profile header is 150 characters long, which supports active links in the form of # and links to the profile via @

If you have a business profile and the page description does not fit in 150 characters, you can expand it directly in the application. Click:

• Edit Profile
• Ways of communication
• Company Address
nine0061

Enter the city, and in the field "Exact address" enter your text. Save.

But I do not recommend you to abuse this feature, such profile headers do not look as beautiful as they might seem. It is better to fix all this detailed information in highlights or under a specific hashtag.

3. Russia or no?

If your audience or clients speak Russian, then the cap should be written in your native Russian language. Foreign quotes or words can work against you. You run the risk of losing a potential client who does not understand your words and simply does not want to understand it. nine0003

4. Beautiful font

Do you like non-standard texts? Add a fancy font with LingoJam or Textygram tools. The CoolSymbol tool will help you make your profile header unusual if you are tired of emoji.

5. From scratch

It is better to write each phrase from a new line for visual harmony and better perception. The main thing - do not knock everything in one heap. Arrange paragraphs using, for example, the Telegram bot @textinstabot "why should I buy from you" . The USP should be short and without water.

Examples of non USP

• I do it quickly and efficiently
• The highest quality apartment renovation
  

USP examples

• Manicurist courses with employment
• Washing powder without chemicals
  

If the account is not selling, then the main mission and positioning should be reflected in the header, your advantages should be indicated, why people should subscribe to your blog, why it is interesting, what is unique and what they will eventually get from if they subscribe to you. nine0003

8. Text

The text should be lively and understandable to everyone. Don't forget to include a call to action at the end.

• Join
• Subscribe, it will be interesting
  
• Inspiration in every publication
  
• Backstage every day
  

Avoid stamps with the words “exclusive”, “individual”, “cheaper”, phrases starting with “not”, etc.

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