You know that moment when you stumble on someone’s Instagram profile… and without overthinking it, you hit Follow?
Maybe it was a local business. A coach. A cool new shop.
What made you click? Probably not their latest post. Not their Reels. Definitely not their Stories.
It was their bio.
That little blurb—plus maybe a quick glance at their grid—was enough to hook you. You instantly knew: who they were, what they did, and whether it was for you.
That’s how fast the game works on Instagram.
Here’s the twist… when was the last time you looked at your own bio?
If you’re like most of us, you threw something in there months (or years) ago… maybe your job title, a slogan, a cute emoji. Then forgot about it.
But that tiny space? It’s prime real estate. And with Instagram now allowing you to add up to 5 links right in your profile—it’s more powerful than ever.
Today I’m going to show you exactly what to put in your bio, how to format it, what NOT to do, plus a ton of link ideas and tools to make it super easy.
So grab a coffee, pull up your profile, and let’s get it working for you.
Here’s why your bio matters more than you think:
People land on your page and give you about 3–5 seconds to convince them to follow (or click, or DM). If your bio is clear, human, and tells them exactly what they’ll get? Boom—new follower.
If it’s confusing, cluttered, vague, or boring? Swipe… they’re gone.
No fancy design needed. Just good words in the right order.
Here’s what to actually put in your bio:
Start with WHO you are and WHAT you do. Not just your job title—talk to the audience you want to attract. “HVAC in Dallas” is clearer than “CEO at XYZ.” “Helping busy moms feel stronger” is better than “Fitness coach.” Be specific.
Next, tell people WHO you help or what problem you solve. You want visitors to think “Oh, this is for me.”
Then, add some PERSONALITY. That’s what makes you memorable. A fun line about being a coffee lover, a dog mom, a foodie, a dad of three, a travel junkie—whatever feels authentic.
And now, with Instagram giving you up to 5 clickable links, you can ditch the “link in bio” tools (unless you want them for fancy tracking). But you still need a clear call-to-action (CTA) that tells people what to click!
If you don’t guide them… they won’t click. Simple as that.
Want some examples? Let’s play.
Before:
“Fitness Coach 💪”
After:
“Helping busy moms lose weight & feel amazing 💥
Coffee-fueled trainer ☕
👇 Grab my free guide + fav programs”
Before:
“Owner of XYZ HVAC”
After:
“HVAC pros keeping Dallas cool ☀️
Family owned & operated 🛠️
👇 Book service • Join newsletter • Financing options”
Before:
“Hair stylist ✂️”
After:
“Helping busy women feel fabulous 💇♀️
NYC & Brooklyn 💖
👇 Book appt • Gift cards • Latest promos”
Before:
“Marketing tips & stuff”
After:
“Helping local businesses grow 🚀
Dog mom 🐶 + taco fan 🌮
👇 Free tips • Email list • Workshops • 1:1 coaching”
See the flow? It’s: who you are + what you do + fun bit + CTA.
With those 5 links, you can do so much more now:
- Link 1: Free guide or lead magnet
- Link 2: Booking calendar
- Link 3: Shop or product page
- Link 4: About or blog
- Link 5: Current promo or event
Now, tools. Do you still need a “link in bio” tool if you can use 5 native links?
Not necessarily. BUT—if you want tracking, prettier design, or the ability to show even more options—you might.
Here’s a ton of options—some free, some paid:
Free / freemium:
- Linktree (classic, easy)
- Beacons.ai (great layouts)
- Campsite.bio (sleek & simple)
- Koji (fun, tons of options)
- Milkshake (mobile-first “mini site”)
- Shor.by (simple, fast)
- Pallyy (Instagram-friendly)
Paid / advanced:
- Tap.bio
- Later’s Linkin.bio (great if you schedule with Later)
- Lnk.Bio
- ContactInBio
Since you can now use 5 native links, you can even mix it up:
- Put your top 1–2 links right in your profile
- Then use a tool like Linktree or Koji for your “see everything” link (#6 if needed)
Quick extra tip: edit your “Name” field for SEO.
That’s the part that shows under your profile pic (not your @username). It’s searchable—so make it work for you!
Instead of “Sarah J.,” use:
“Sarah J. | Dallas Realtor”
“Mike T. | HVAC & AC Repair”
“Emily | Nutrition Coach for Moms”
Now you’re more likely to show up in searches.
Bottom line: a good bio is short, clear, and personal. No jargon. No vague buzzwords. Just YOU, for your audience, with a clear next step.
If you want a simple formula to get started today, try this:
[Who you help] + [What they get from you] + [Fun personal touch] + [Clear CTA] + [Up to 5 links]
Example:
“Helping moms 40+ feel strong 💪
Coffee lover ☕
👇 Free guide • Programs • Blog • Coaching • Book call”
Instagram is giving you more options than ever—but only if you use them.
If your bio’s been sitting there since 2021, untouched… this is your sign.
Block 15 minutes, rewrite it, pick your top 3–5 links, and watch what happens. You’ll likely see more clicks, more followers, more DMs—and more sales. 🚀
