Instagram bio mistakes that stop people enquiring

Key takeaways

The Instagram bio mistakes that stop people enquiring are a name field without your service, a bio with no area, emoji walls instead of words, a link to the home page and no contact button. Instagram gives you 150 characters: use them for what you do, for whom, where and one action.

• 150 characters: what, who, where and one action.
• Put your service in the name field so it can be searched.
• One clear link to a page about your current offer.
• Turn on email, call or booking buttons.

Why does the Instagram bio matter?

The Instagram bio matters because it is read by everyone who taps through from a post, a Reel or a search. Many decide in seconds whether to follow, message or leave. A bio that does not answer 'what is this and is it for me?' loses them.

• The most common social media marketing mistakes small businesses make
• How to write a social media bio that attracts buyers

Which bio mistakes are most common?

The most common are a slogan where the service should be, no location, emojis replacing words, several hashtags, and a link list that sends people to the home page. Each makes the visitor work out what you do.

• Link in bio mistakes that waste profile visits

How do you rewrite an Instagram bio?

Rewrite it in four short lines. Put your service and area in the name field. Then write what you do and for whom, one proof point, and one action with the link below it.

• Name: Business name | Service, Town
• Line 1: What you do, for whom.
• Line 2: One proof point, such as years or reviews.
• Line 3: One action, such as 'Free quotes: tap below'.

Should a bio change with offers?

The first lines should stay stable so people recognise you. The action line and the link can change with your current offer or season. Change one thing at a time and watch profile link clicks in insights.

How do you spot a weak Instagram bio?

Spot a weak bio by searching Instagram for your service and town, and by checking profile link clicks in insights. If you do not appear in search, the name field is missing your service. If many people visit but few tap the link or buttons, the bio is not giving them a reason or a route.

• You do not appear when searching service and town.
• Low link taps from profile visits.
• Bio mostly emojis or hashtags.
• No contact buttons switched on.

What does this look like in practice?

A pattern we see: a salon whose bio is a row of emojis and a booking link buried in a list of six. Writing the service and town in the name field and leading with one booking link usually makes it easier for new visitors to book.

• See client work
• Social Media Marketing for UK businesses

Instagram bio checklist

• Service and town in the name field.
• Plain words, not emoji walls.
• One proof point.
• One action and one link.
• Contact buttons turned on.

• Running your business from a personal profile
• Social media account access mistakes: who holds the keys?

Next step

Search Instagram for your service and town. If you do not appear, put both in your name field today.