It’s one of life’s greatest challenges: making a captivating impression within a restricted character limit. Maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but being brief yet descriptive isn’t always easy. Nevertheless, it’s a task that any social media user will have to take on at some point.

Instagram is one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, with around 1 billion monthly active users, making it the place to see and be seen – literally. The Instagram app, which is focused on image and video content, is meant for posting pictures of that unforgettable slice of pizza you ate on vacation or a video on the latest and greatest product your company launched. It’s a social media outlet that’s easy on the eyes, so to speak.

Whether you’re an individual connecting with friends and family members or a business using Instagram as part of your social media strategy, you simply can’t leave your bio blank. Your bio tells your followers what you’re all about. For brands, specifically, it’s an opportunity to invite your audience to check out what else you’re doing on the web, generate leads, and make sales.

Now’s no time to sleep on your Instagram bio, so let’s talk about how to make a great one.

How does the bio section work on Instagram?

Bios are the Instagram profile descriptions that appear under your photo on your account page. You can include a 150-character blurb about yourself or your business and add hashtags or tag other accounts to this text. This is a pretty important space because the information in your bio is visible even if your profile is private. So, any Instagram user can see what you display here. We see this as an opportunity to connect with new followers, potential customers, or even old friends.

Both personal and professional accounts can include a link in their bio. You can use this space to redirect your followers to your YouTube channel, podcast, other social media platforms, e-commerce site, and beyond. Can’t pick just one site? Dropping in a Linktree URL gives you the opportunity to branch out to up to five different links, allowing viewers to easily access the entirety of your online presence.

Instagram business accounts also have access to additional bio features that make your company’s life a bit easier. These include reservation and booking buttons and the ability to add contact information and a physical address.

How to write a great Instagram profile bio

Not quite ready to learn how to add a bio to your account because you’re still figuring out what to say? Here are some tips for writing a standout 150-character blurb before you make a major Instagram bio edit or create a new one.

1. Keep it brief: First, write out everything you want to say. Then use a critical eye to edit your text down to the essentials. Sometimes, one-word or one-sentence bios are more effective than you might think.
2. Use emojis and hashtags: Emojis take up very little space but cover a lot of ground. You can tell the world about yourself in a few simple images or jazz up your written bio with a visual. Hashtags also boost the potential of your bio because they allow Insta users to easily view related content to whatever it is you do. If you own a cafe, think #coffeelover. Using hashtags will also help other users find you.
3. Add a call to action: If you’re a business, add a call-to-action (CTA) to help your followers engage with you even further. You can invite them to check out your online store (don’t forget to include the link) or watch your latest product demo on YouTube.
4. Make it easy to read: We know the bio field’s space is limited, but try not to squish in too much information because it can easily become confusing. And, if you opt to use a funky Instagram font, make sure your content is legible.

Why you should focus on your bio

While bios can be fun, they aren’t just for fun. Here are some reasons you should spend some time crafting the perfect one.

• They’re the first impression your followers – both current and future – receive.
• They can drive traffic to your other sites and social media platforms and generate sales. All you have to do is include links to outside content.
• This is free marketing space (we’re talking to you, entrepreneurs).

How to change your Instagram bio on your smartphone

Once you’ve thought of the perfect 150-character description of yourself or your business, it’s time to make it a (semi-) permanent feature of your Instagram account. Here’s how to add a bio on Instagram:

• Open Instagram on your mobile device.
• Tap on your profile photo in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen to bring up your profile page.

• Tap on the Instagram Edit Profile button.

• Tap Bio and type or paste in your content.

• This one’s optional – but highly recommended. Add a URL or Linktree in the website field.

• Tap Done to save and publish your bio.

How to change your Instagram bio on desktop

If you prefer to use your Instagram account from the comfort of your desktop, we totally understand. The pictures are larger, and you can toggle back and forth between the other web pages you have open. Here’s how to edit a bio on Instagram for desktop:

• Open Instagram on your desktop.
• Click your profile picture in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
• Click Profile.
• Click Edit Profile.
• Click Bio and type or paste in your content.
• Again, this one’s optional but highly recommended. Add a URL or Linktree in the website field.
• Click Submit to save and publish your bio.