How to Edit Your Instagram Bio (App and Computer)

Editing your bio takes about ten seconds once you know it lives under Edit profile. The thing worth slowing down for is what you write, because Instagram gives you 150 characters and shows them to everyone, including people who've never signed up.

Below are the steps for the app and for a computer, then the limits that trip people up, and how I'd use those 150 characters if you're running a business account.

Edit your bio in the Instagram app

1. Tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right.
2. Tap Edit profile at the top of the screen.
3. Tap Bio.
4. Change the text.
5. Tap Done to save.

Your new bio shows on your profile once you've saved it, and you can change it as often as you like.

Edit your bio on a computer

1. Log in at instagram.com.
2. Click your profile picture on the left to go to your profile.
3. Click Edit profile, then click the text box next to Bio.
4. Write your new bio.
5. Click Submit.

I find the computer easier for a big rewrite, because you can see the whole thing at once and fix typos easily with a keyboard. Then check it on your phone, because that's where most people will read it.

What you can change, and who sees it

Item	Where to change it	Who can see it
Bio	Edit profile, Bio	Everyone, on or off Instagram
Links	Edit profile, Links (up to 5)	Everyone, on or off Instagram
Name and username	Edit profile or Accounts Center	Everyone
Email, phone and gender	Your account settings	Only you

The rule people miss: your bio is always public

Making your account private doesn't hide your bio. Instagram says your name, username, profile picture, bio, links and follower counts are public for every account, private or not, and can be seen by anyone on or off Instagram, even if they don't have an account. That information can't be hidden.

So don't put anything in your bio you wouldn't want a stranger, a future employer or a client to read. That includes your phone number, your full address or your children's school.

Links don't go in the bio box

Links have their own section in Edit profile, separate from the bio box, so that's where your website belongs. Instagram lets you add up to 5 websites:

1. Tap Edit profile, then Links.
2. Tap Add external link and paste the address.
3. Tap Done, then go back.

To change the order, tap Links, then the Options menu and Reorder links, and drag them up or down. Put your most important link first, because that's the one people see without tapping.

Changing your name or username at the same time?

Your bio is a simple edit, but a username change can take longer. Instagram says that if your account reaches a lot of people, a username change may need to be reviewed, and your followers may be notified. If you're rebranding, change the bio and links first, then the username, so everything matches when people get that notification.

How I'd write a business bio in 150 characters

• Line one: who you help. Say what you do in plain words people would search for.
• Line two: why you. One specific detail, not a list of adjectives.
• Line three: what to do next. Point to your first link, for example "Free guide below".
• Skip the filler. Words like "passionate" and "lover of life" use up characters and say nothing.

Your bio and your posts work together. If your grid is quiet for a while, a clear bio still tells visitors why they should follow, which I talk about in my guide to getting followers without posting every day. And if you're thinking of stepping back from the app altogether, here's how deactivating your account works.

When to update your bio

A bio isn't something you write once and forget. I'd revisit it whenever something changes that a new visitor should know about. A quick look every few months is usually enough:

• You've launched something new. A course, a service or a free download deserves a mention and the top link spot.
• Your focus has shifted. If you've narrowed down who you help, your bio should say so before your posts catch up.
• An offer has ended. Old dates and expired promotions make an account look abandoned, so remove them.
• Your links are stale. Tap each one from your profile to check it still goes where you expect.

Why your bio won't save

• It's too long. Anything past 150 characters won't fit, so trim it back.
• You didn't tap Done or Submit. Leaving the screen without saving loses the change.
• The app is out of date. Update Instagram and try again, or use a browser.

My advice

Edit it on a computer, read it on your phone, and treat it like a shop sign rather than a diary. You've only got 150 characters and everyone can see them, so make every word count: who you help, why you, and where to tap next.

Frequently asked questions

How many characters can an Instagram bio have?

Instagram allows a bio of up to 150 characters.

Can I edit my Instagram bio on a computer?

Yes. Click your profile picture, click Edit profile, click the box next to Bio, write your bio and click Submit.

Can people see my bio if my account is private?

Yes. Instagram says your bio is always public, on or off Instagram, even for private accounts, and can't be hidden.

How do I add a link to my Instagram bio?

Go to Edit profile, tap Links, then Add external link. You can add up to 5 websites.

Will my followers be notified when I change my bio?

Instagram's help mentions notifications for username changes, not bio changes. Your followers may be notified when you change your username.