Instagram Tips & Strategies

How to Add a Link to Your Instagram Bio

By Spencer Lanoue
October 31, 2025

That single clickable link in your Instagram bio is some of the most valuable real estate on the internet. It's the primary spot where you can funnel your followers from passive scrollers to active customers, readers, or fans. This guide will walk you through exactly how to add or update your bio link, but we'll also cover strategies for making that link work harder for you, including how to add multiple links and what to do when things go wrong.

Why Your Instagram Bio Link is Your Most Important CTA

Unlike other platforms, Instagram doesn't allow clickable links in a standard feed post's caption. That little URL in your profile is the only permanent, clickable link you get outside of Stories and paid ads. This makes it the go-to destination for anyone wanting to learn more about you after seeing your content.

Think of it as the central hub for your brand on the platform. It's the bridge between your Instagram presence and every other important place online, such as:

  • Your e-commerce store or a specific product page.
  • Your latest blog post or YouTube video.
  • A portfolio of your work.
  • A sign-up form for your newsletter.
  • Your other social media profiles like TikTok or LinkedIn.
  • An affiliate link for a product campaign you're running.

Without optimizing this link, you're missing a massive opportunity to convert followers into website visitors, subscribers, or buyers. It's not just a URL, it's your main call to action (CTA).

How to Add a Link to Your Instagram Bio (On Mobile)

Adding a link from your phone is the most common method and only takes about 30 seconds. The process is identical for a Personal, Creator, or Business account.

Follow these simple steps:

  1. Open the Instagram app on your iPhone or Android device.
  2. Go to your profile page by tapping your profile picture in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
  3. Below your bio, tap the Edit Profile button.
  4. On the Edit Profile screen, you'll see a field labeled Links. Tap on it.
  5. Tap on Add external link. A pop-up will appear where you can enter your link.
  6. Paste or type your URL into the "URL" field. You can also add a "Title" for the link, which is what your followers will see. If you leave it blank, Instagram will show the plain URL.
  7. Once you've added your URL and an optional title, tap the blue checkmark (or "Done") in the top-right corner.
  8. Tap the back arrow to return to the main "Edit Profile" screen, and then tap the blue checkmark (or "Done") again to save all your changes.

That's it! Your link will now appear and be clickable directly within your bio. It's always a good idea to go back to your profile and test the link yourself, just to be sure it goes to the correct destination.

How to Add a Link to Your Instagram Bio (On Desktop)

If you're managing your brand from a computer, adding your link via a web browser is just as easy.

  1. Navigate to Instagram.com and log in to your account.
  2. Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner, then select Profile from the dropdown menu.
  3. On your profile page, click the Edit Profile button next to your username.
  4. On the left-hand menu, you'll see several options. Look for the field labeled Website. (On desktop, the multi-link feature and single website link are handled differently). If you want to use the newer multi-link setup, you'd navigate through the "Links" section on mobile first. For the classic single link visible on a desktop's edit page, proceed here.
  5. Enter or paste your URL into the "Website" box.
  6. Scroll down and click the blue Submit button to save your changes.

Once you've saved, refresh your profile page. The link should now be live in your bio.

One Link or Multiple? How to Manage Up to 5 Links

Instagram recently rolled out a feature allowing users to add up to five external links to their bio - a huge update from the single-link limit we've had for years. This lets you direct followers to different places without needing a third-party tool.

How to Add Multiple Links

You add your first link using the same steps as above. To add more:

  1. Go to Edit Profile >, Links.
  2. You'll see your first link listed. Tap Add external link again.
  3. Enter the second URL and a title.
  4. Repeat this process for up to five links.

On your profile, followers will see your first link listed followed by "... and 1 more," "... and 2 more," etc. Tapping this opens a small pop-up window displaying all the links you've added. You can also reorder the links by tapping the three-dot icon in the corner and selecting "Reorder links," then dragging them into your preferred order.

When to Use Multiple Links vs. a Single "Link-in-Bio" Tool

While the native five-link feature is great for simplicity, there's still a strong case for using a "link-in-bio" tool like Linktree, Beacons, or Koji.

Use Instagram's Multi-Link Feature If:

  • You only need a few permanent links like your website homepage, blog, and portfolio.
  • You want the fastest, simplest user experience without sending traffic to another branded page.
  • You are not concerned about customizing your own branded landing page.

Use a Third-Party Link-in-Bio Tool If:

  • You need to feature more than five links.
  • You want to customize the look and feel of your landing page with your brand colors, logos, and images.
  • You want detailed analytics to see which links are getting clicked the most.
  • You want more functionality, such as adding email sign-up forms, product lists, or video embeds to your landing page.

These tools create a fully customizable microsite that serves as your central hub. The trade-off is that it adds one extra click for the user, but the benefits in branding and analytics can often be worth it for businesses and creators.

Best Practices & Strategies for Promoting Your Link

Just adding a link isn't enough, you have to tell people it's there. Your content should serve as the engine that drives traffic to your bio link.

1. Create Explicit Call-to-actions (CTAs) in Your Captions

This sounds obvious, but it's often overlooked. Never assume your followers will navigate to your profile on their own. You need to guide them. Whenever you post content related to something off-platform, include a clear CTA.

Examples:

  • "Our full collection just dropped! Shop everything through the link in bio."
  • "Our latest guide on [Topic] is live on the blog. Find out how to [Benefit] by tapping the link in our bio."
  • "Eager to sign up for our live workshop? Spaces are limited! Head to the link in our bio to secure your spot today."

Making "link in bio" a regular part of your content cadence reinforces to followers that your profile is where they go for more valuable info.

2. Use Stories Link Stickers

Instagram Stories are perfect for driving urgent, timely traffic. The Stories "Link Sticker" is a direct line to any URL you choose, bypassing the need to tell followers to go to your bio link. It's far more effective than just typing "link in bio" on the screen.

  • Create your Story content (a photo, video, or design).
  • Tap the sticker icon (the smiley face square) at the top.
  • Select the "Link" sticker.
  • Enter your URL and tap "Done."
  • Place and resize the sticker anywhere on your screen. You can also tap it to toggle through different color options.

Stories are ephemeral, so it's a perfect way to promote a flash sale, a time-sensitive event, or a new post without changing your main bio link.

3. Mention It in Reels & Live Videos

Don't forget to use your voice! At the end of the day, you are a creator or a brand. During your Instagram Reels or a live stream, verbally tell your audience, "Check out the product link in my bio," or "Grab the download from my bio." It reinforces the action and reminds them in the text as well.

Common Troubleshooting Questions

"My link is not clickable."

This usually happens because of a few reasons. You might not have entered the link in the correct field on your Instagram profile. Ensure that it is actually in the "Website" field. This is the only field that turns the text into a clickable link.

Also, make sure you are using the correct format for your URL (e.g., "https://mywebsite.com"). It should begin with "http" or "https".

These are some of the most common issues, and checking these points should solve your problem.

"Instagram is blocking my link."

Instagram sometimes blocks links that it deems suspicious or spammy. If your link is being blocked, try using a URL shortener or a different link. Make sure your link is not on Instagram's blacklist.

If the problem persists, consider reaching out to Instagram support for assistance.

Spencer's spent a decade building products at companies like Buffer, UserTesting, and Bump Health. He's spent years in the weeds of social media management—scheduling posts, analyzing performance, coordinating teams. At Postbase, he's building tools to automate the busywork so you can focus on creating great content.

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