How to write a good bio for instagram


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 Create the Perfect Instagram Bio in 2022

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 Ideas

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

Instagram Bio Idea #1: Share Your Story  

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 Field

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: 

Instagram Bio Idea #3: Use a Link in Bio Tool

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!

Instagram Bio Idea #4: Add a Call-To-Action and Action Buttons

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.

Instagram Bio Idea #5: Include Contact Details

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.

Instagram Bio Idea #6: Choose a Relevant Profile Picture

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.

Instagram Bio Idea #7: Tag Related Accounts and a Branded Hashtag

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 Bio Idea #8: Use Instagram Stories Highlights

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:

100+ Instagram Bio Ideas

Your Instagram bio is the first thing people will notice when they click on your profile. They will make assumptions and judgments about what kind of person or brand you are based on what they see there. Therefore, it is very important to write a profile description that will impress your audience and attract more subscribers.

In this article, you will find some great ideas and tips to help you write better and more impressive Instagram profile headers.

@mafluence

Bio, About Me, Description, Profile Header, Profile Art

are all different names for the same thing: text that you can place prominently on your profile. Limit - 150 characters

100+ Instagram bio ideas :
  • What makes a good Instagram bio?
  • 100+ ideas for a profile bio
  • Conclusion

What makes a good Bio for Instagram?

Before you get a finished description for Instagram, you need to understand what a good bio consists of. This will help you use ready-made ideas for designing your Instagram profile header, improving them and creating your own bio.

So what makes a good description of yourself on Instagram? The answer can contain any of the following elements:

1. Informative

An Instagram profile header that clearly describes what the user is doing can be considered a good bio. You can indicate your field of activity, interests, achievements and hobbies. For example, your Instagram description might look something like this: “love fitness + dog owner + founder of company X.”

If you are an influencer, you can also include other important information such as brand collaborations, upcoming events you attend, recent announcements you promote, etc.

2. Witty

Witty Instagram caps tend to be one of the most successful and popular types of BIOs. Showing how smart you are without being offensive is a great way to impress people.

However, it's better to be original, because people don't always appreciate borrowed phrases. Use of puns, clever quotes, wordplay, etc. this is a great way to create a witty Instagram profile design.

3. Sense of humor

Humor always works when it comes to impressing users on Instagram. The lines between wit and humor often overlap, so you can create a Bio that combines the two to impress your audience. Think of an interesting fact about yourself and find a way to describe it with humor. Even if you can't come up with an original joke, you can always use one of the ideas in this post.

Musician Diplo took a hilarious approach to writing his Instagram bio and simply referred to himself as an "Instagram model". Anyone who knows him can find humor in this short and simple phrase.

4. Call to action

Some Instagram bios are more call to action than entertain, but that doesn't mean they're less good.

You can be an entrepreneur or a professional. In this case, you just need a call to action and inspiring profile description. You can write an inspirational quote or phrase that reflects your experience without being overly intrusive.

5. Ease of perception

You can use any of these approaches to create your Instagram header. The best choice is one that expresses your personality. But no matter which approach you choose, your Instagram description should be easy to read. People who view your profile should be able to instantly understand what you do and who you are. You must be sure that no one misses any important detail in your BIO.

The best way to achieve this is to keep the BIO simple and short. You can use bulleted lists to include more information while still being readable. You can also use different characters to separate parts of the list, or add emoji.

100+ Instagram Bio Ideas

Now let's look at over 100 examples of Instagram header ideas based on the above elements.

Funny, informative BIO:

  1. Very caffeine dependent life form.
  2. I am recovering from shawarma addiction.
  3. Recovering from ice cream addiction.
  4. I'm not smart, I just wear glasses.
  5. I switch to survival mode if it tickles.
  6. I'm not really funny. I'm just talking and people think I'm joking.
  7. Modest, with only a hint of Kanye.
  8. My hobby is to start breakfast, lunch and dinner with a chocolate dessert.
  9. I drink coffee first. Then I do the rest.
  10. Encourage PJ girls to look hot since (date of birth).
  11. Probably the best meat eater in the world.
  12. Words cannot express my passion and love for Fridays!
  13. I used to think I was a little indecisive, but now I'm not entirely sure.
  14. I drowned the guilt in the wine.
  15. Gifted talker and ice cream eater.

Witty BIO:

  1. *insert pretentious things about me here*.
  2. I'm real and I hope some of my followers are too.
  3. I do not regret anything that you can see here.
  4. I'd rather steal your dessert than your boyfriend.
  5. Sweet as sugar, strong as whiskey.
  6. Born to express, not to amaze.
  7. I can't remember who I stole my biography from and why.
  8. We are all part of the same statistic - ten out of ten die.
  9. Not perfect, but even more interesting.
  10. Happiness never goes out of fashion.

Business Bio:

  1. Free International Shipping.
  2. See our bestsellers below.
  3. Customers are our number one priority.
  4. Tag us @(brand name) to be featured.
  5. Share your photos with us using # (branded hashtag).
  6. Contact us: (email address).
  7. Buy using the link below.
  8. We create value.
  9. In the dark, head for the stars.
  10. Become a person who is admired.

Short and simple BIO:

  1. I am in bed.
  2. I live a little.
  3. 99% caffeine.
  4. Distributing smiles.
  5. Slow down.
  6. Man. I live.
  7. Happy.
  8. Everything is predictable.
  9. Born to shine.
  10. Love without limits.
  11. I have nothing.
  12. Meet (name).
  13. This is me.
  14. This is my life.
  15. Welcome to my world.
  16. One of a kind.
  17. I overcome myself.
  18. Just ahead.
  19. Greetings from paradise.
  20. I'm going to the goal.

Motivational BIO:

  1. The best revenge is success.
  2. Eat, sleep, create.
  3. It's never too late to set a new goal or pursue a new dream.
  4. It's not always easy, but it's worth it.
  5. There will be a rainbow after the rain.
  6. Die with memories, don't die with dreams.
  7. Take care of your body, this is the only place where you live all your life.
  8. My goal is to create a life that you won't want to take a break from.
  9. Your best teacher is your last mistake.
  10. Do not look for a society that will allow you to be yourself.
  11. My biggest fear is not starting. My biggest fear is not reaching the top.
  12. When the pain is over, you finally see how much good you got out of this bad situation.
  13. I am worthy of greatness.
  14. I don't know where I'm going, but I'm going.
  15. Fill your life with experience so you always have something to say.
  16. I try to impress myself.
  17. Do something today that the future will thank you for.
  18. Conquer the peaks with me.
  19. I don't know who I am, but I know where I want to be.
  20. Seize the opportunity, there may not be a second chance.

Dear BIO:

  1. I scatter kindness like confetti.
  2. Be like a pineapple: stand up straight, wear a crown and always be sweet inside.
  3. Leave a little sparkle everywhere you go.
  4. To be brave means to love unconditionally without expecting anything in return.
  5. Just a cupcake looking for a muffin.
  6. I found that the Beatles got it wrong. Love is not all we need, love is all we have.
  7. Sharing my happy thoughts.
  8. This is not a dream, but my reality.
  9. Welcome to my kingdom.
  10. I create beauty every minute.
  11. I will make your world brighter.

BIO that exudes confidence:

  1. The ideal has five letters, the same applies to me.
  2. Haters are my best motivators.
  3. My Instagram is proof that I always create the best version of myself.
  4. I dress like I'm going to meet my sworn enemy.
  5. I take a lot of selfies for my future biographer.
  6. Real queens mend each other's crowns.
  7. Tell me not to do something and I'll do it twice and take pictures.
  8. They will write about me in history books.
  9. Success is in my blood.
  10. Welcome to my kingdom.
  11. I live by my own rules.

Quotes of famous people:

  1. I would rather die of passion than boredom. – Vincent van Gogh
  2. Above all else, being true to yourself. – William Shakespeare
  3. Strive not to be successful, but to be significant. – Albert Einstein
  4. No one can make you feel worse without your consent. – Eleanor Roosevelt
  5. Wanting to be someone else is a waste of who you are. – Kurt Cobain
  6. Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you are right in both cases. – Henry Ford
  7. Loving yourself is the beginning of a lifelong romance. – Oscar Wilde
  8. Where is your desire to be strange? – Jim Morrison
  9. Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. – Steve Jobs
  10. For those who have ever told you that you are not good… they are not better. – Hayley Williams

Conclusion

We've shown you a ton of ideas that you can use as they are or customize them to your liking. It is possible to combine them with some of your personal data, such as achievements, position, etc. You can even just use a short bio along with a link to your website or blog. Use most of these ideas to impress your audience and get more followers.

How to write an impeccable biography on Instagram for a business account

Content

  1. Start by making
  2. Use CTA
  3. Biography length about 140–160 characters
  4. Use shutters
  5. only if necessary
  6. Include Key Information
  7. Putting It All Together: Building a Great Instagram Bio

If you're selling 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. That's 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 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:

Start with what you do

Sounds like it sounds like “is this a joke?” but how many times have you been on Instagram and your attention has been caught by an amazing image? 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 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.

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.

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 is 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.

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.

Bio length about 140-160 characters

In 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 room 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".

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.

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 way to use branded hashtags is to collect user generated content, as in this @threadless example:

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 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 .

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.

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.

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.

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: