How to Add a Title on Your Instagram Profile

Your Instagram profile's title is one of the most powerful, and often overlooked, tools for getting discovered. This isn't just your @username, it’s the searchable, bold text directly under your profile picture that tells people exactly who you are and why they should follow you. This article will show you exactly how to find, change, and optimize this crucial part of your profile, along with the professional category label, to build your brand and attract more followers.

What Exactly Is the "Title" on Your Instagram Profile?

Here’s something that confuses a lot of users: Instagram doesn't actually have a field officially labeled "Title." When people talk about adding a title to their profile, they're typically referring to one of two things, and understanding both is essential for a fully optimized bio.

1. The Name Field: This is a big one. It's the bolded text that appears directly below your profile picture. It’s separate from your @username and, most importantly, it's fully searchable on Instagram. This makes it a prime piece of real estate for keywords related to your niche, business, or brand.

2. The Category Label: This is the small, gray text that appears under your Name field (for example, "Digital Creator," "Artist," "Restaurant"). This label is only available for professional accounts (either Creator or Business accounts) and gives visitors immediate context about what you do, saving you precious space in your bio.

Using both of these elements strategically turns your profile into a mini-landing page. Your Name Field helps new people find you through search, while your Category Label instantly tells them if they're in the right place. Let's break down how to set up and optimize each one.

How to Change Your Instagram Name Field for Maximum Discoverability

Your Name field is your golden ticket to showing up in Instagram search. When someone searches for "vegan recipes London" or "real estate agent Austin," Instagram pulls keywords from the Name field (and the @username) to deliver results. If your Name field is just "Jessica Smith," you're missing a huge opportunity.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Name Field

Updating your Name is simple. Here’s how to do it in the app:

1. Navigate to your Instagram profile by tapping your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.
2. Tap the "Edit Profile" button located underneath your bio.
3. Tap on the field labeled "Name."
4. Type in your new, keyword-optimized name. You have a 30-character limit, so make it count.
5. Tap "Done" (on iOS) or the checkmark (on Android) in the top-right corner to save your changes.

Important Note: Instagram allows you to change your name only twice within a 14-day period. So, take a moment to be thoughtful about your change before hitting save.

Strategies for an SEO-Friendly Name Field

This is where the marketing magic happens. Instead of just your name, think about what your ideal follower or customer is searching for.

• For Service Providers & Creators: Lead with your name, then add your specialty or location. This is great for coaches, consultants, freelancers, and local businesses.
  • Original: "Maria Garcia"
  • Optimized: "Maria | Mindset Coach"
  • Original: "Bill's Woodworking"
  • Optimized: "Bill | Custom Wood Furniture"
• For Bloggers & Brands: Combine your brand name with a super-clear description of what you offer.
  • Original: "The Wandering Fork"
  • Optimized: "Jenna | NYC Food Blogger"
  • Original: "West End Goods"
  • Optimized: "West End | Vintage Decor"
• Think Like Your Audience: Brainstorm 3-5 keywords someone might use to find a profile like yours. Are they looking for a "fitness trainer," "pottery artist," or "social media manager?" Try to fit the most important one into your Name field.

By adding these clarifying keywords, your profile instantly communicates your value and has a better chance of appearing in relevant searches.

How to Add or Change Your Business Category Label

The Category Label is your next step to establishing credibility and clarifying who you are without using up your valuable bio characters. To get access to this feature, you'll need to switch your profile to a professional account (it’s free and reversible).

Step 1: Switch to a Professional Account

If you have a personal account, you’ll need to make the switch first. Don't worry, it’s quick and gives you access to valuable analytics and other features beyond the category label.

1. On your profile page, tap the hamburger menu (the three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
2. Go to "Settings and privacy."
3. Scroll down to the "For professionals" section and tap "Account type and tools."
4. Tap "Switch to professional account."
5. Instagram will walk you through a few screens explaining the benefits. Tap "Continue."
6. You'll be asked to select a category. This is where you get to pick your first label! Choose one that best describes what you do and tap "Done." We'll talk about how to change this later.
7. Finally, you'll choose between a Creator and Business account.
   • Creator: Best for public figures, content producers, artists, and influencers.
   • Business: Best for retailers, local businesses, brands, organizations, and service providers.
   The choice mainly affects the available contact options and call-to-action buttons.

Step 2: Edit or Hide Your Category Label

Once you're set up with a professional account, you have full control over your category display.

1. Go to your profile and tap "Edit Profile."
2. Just under "Public business information," you'll see a section called "Profile display." Tap it.
3. Here, you'll find two toggle switches: "Display category label" and "Display contact info."
4. You can toggle the category label on or off depending on your preference. When it's on, the category you selected during setup will show on your profile.

How to Change the Category Itself

Feel like you picked the wrong category? No problem.

1. From the "Edit Profile" screen, tap on "Category."
2. This will open a searchable list of dozens of categories, from "Musician/Band" and "Photographer" to "Health/Beauty" and "Personal blog."
3. Find the one that fits your brand best, select it, and tap "Done." Your profile will update instantly.

The benefit here is clarity. A visitor who lands on your profile and sees the "Coach" or "Graphic Designer" label immediately understands your profession, allowing your name field and bio to be used for more specific, persuasive messaging.

Putting It All Together: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Now that you know how to edit both parts of your "title," be sure to avoid these common profile traps.

• Wasting Your Name Field: The biggest mistake is simply repeating your @username in the Name field. Your username is already there! Use the Name field for new, searchable information about your brand or service.
• Keyword Stuffing: While keywords are great, don't overdo it. A name like "Fitness Health Coach Trainer Gym" looks spammy and is hard for a human to read. Stick to one or two primary concepts. For example, "Alex Chen | Fitness Coach."
• Ignoring Local SEO: If you're a local business or service provider (like a photographer, real estate agent, or restaurant), adding your city or region to your name field is a brilliant move. Example: "The Bloom Room | Boston Florist."
• Choosing a Vague Category: Try to be as specific as possible with your Category Label. Instead of "Business," see if "Shopping & Retail" or "Product/Service" is a better fit. The more specific you are, the clearer your message.

Your Instagram profile is the front door to your brand. By thoughtfully combining a keyword-optimized Name Field with a clear, professional Category Label, you’re not just making your profile look better - you're making it work harder for you, attracting the right people and growing your presence organically.

Final Thoughts

To sum it up, your Instagram "title" is a powerful combination of your searchable Name Field and your descriptive Category Label. By optimizing both with relevant keywords and clear descriptors, you make your profile instantly understandable to new visitors and far more likely to appear in Instagram searches, fueling organic growth.

Perfecting these little details on every social platform sets your brand up for success. We built Postbase because managing this consistency, from profile details to posting schedules, should be simple. With features like our visual content calendar, you can plan your entire strategy and make sure every piece of content aligns with the clear, professional brand you’ve built - starting with that perfectly polished profile.