What is a link in bio on social media? Let’s learn a little more about it.
If you’re an Instagram user, you’ve probably seen someone mention their “link in bio” in a video or image post. Here’s an explanation of what it is and where you can find it.
What is a Link in Bio
What is a link in bio in short?
The link in bio is a single link in the upper section of an Instagram account user’s profile, just below their username and profile description.
Navigate to an Instagram user’s profile page to find their link in bio. Because it is located above the “Follow” or “Following” button, the link in bio will be immediately visible. Clicking on the link in the bio will either redirect you to your device’s browser or open the Instagram in-app browser.
If you’re still confused, here are some of Instagram Link in Bio Examples.
Why a Link in Bio?
Because of Instagram’s user interface, the “link in bio” became a prominent part of social media usage. Instagram is used by many brands, celebrities, and content creators to promote their latest products, creations, or advertisements. However, Instagram does not allow clickable links in post captions, and it only allows one link in one’s profile.
As a result, that single link on a user’s profile has become the focal point of Instagram’s business aspect. It is the most visible way for a user to direct their followers away from Instagram and onto another website.
As a result, you’ll frequently hear the phrase “link in bio” spoken aloud in Instagram videos and in the captions of image posts. For example, a gaming studio might write, “Our new expansion is now available!” “To download, click the link in my bio,” with the link taking the user to the game’s download page.
TikTok is another app where “link in bio” is commonplace. It, like Instagram, only allows a single primary link in a profile and does not allow users to include links in video captions. As a result, users must encourage their viewers to visit the “link in bio” instead. Links can also be found in Twitter profiles. However, because the platform allows for links in tweets, the link in bio is less prominent there.
What Kinds of Links Are There?
There are several types of links that can appear in an Instagram bio of an influencer or personality. Here are a few of the most common:
Merchandise/Self Promotion Links: These are links created by people who have created merchandise that they want to promote, such as books or branded t-shirts.
When a brand or company links directly to their website or online store, this is known as a company website.
Other Social Media Links:This type of link is used to promote one’s other social media platforms, such as their Twitter account or YouTube channel.
Affiliate Links: These are links that allow users to earn a commission on purchases made at online retailers like Amazon.
Sponsorships and Partnerships: These are advertising links from sponsors who will pay a fee for a spot in the bio of an account.
Bio Links: Having a link that leads to a page with several other links is becoming more common. This is a workaround for the inability to add multiple links to someone’s social media profile.
According to Iconosquare, video is the most important aspect on marketing for 92% marketers. So, if you’re a youtube, it’s also a great way to put your video on your bio link.
Many other types of links are added to bios because you can use the link in bio to promote anything that fits within Instagram’s community guidelines. An artist page on a music streaming service, an online portfolio, a demo reel, or a personal website are some other examples. Some people even include a link to their Venmo or PayPal account in their bios.
The “Biolink” Industry
Because of the popularity of “link in bio” placements, an increasing number of tools have emerged that enable users to use a “universal link” to place various links. Linktree, Shorby, and Feedlink are three popular link-in-bio tools.
Essentially, these links take you to a landing page with a variety of important links. This allows users to include multiple social media profile links, sponsorship placements, and affiliate links on a single page. This is common for corporate accounts and major celebrities, who must direct their viewers to different links in each post.
Conclusion
Finally, the link restriction on Instagram does not apply to Instagram stories. As a result, sponsorships and brand promotions are becoming more prevalent on stories, which allow users to “swipe up” to access a link.
If you want to read more about how to add a URL on TikTok Bio, we’ve got that covered too.