What an Instagram link is and why businesses use it
An Instagram link is the web address that takes someone directly to your business's Instagram profile or a specific post. Businesses use these links in emails, on their websites, in text messages, and on other social media platforms to funnel people toward their Instagram account — where they can see products, read updates, or send a direct message.
Unlike a link to a website or online store, an Instagram link keeps people inside the Instagram ecosystem. That matters because Instagram tracks who visits your profile, how many people see your posts, and which ones get the most engagement. When you share an Instagram link instead of directing people elsewhere, you build a visible audience that Instagram's algorithm notices and promotes to more people.
The link itself is straightforward: it's always instagram.com/yourusername. But how you create it, where you place it, and what you do with it determines whether people actually click it and follow you.
Key Takeaways
- Your Instagram profile link is always instagram.com/yourusername, and you can find it by going to your profile and tapping the share button.
- The link in your Instagram bio (the one-line description at the top of your profile) is the most visible place to put a link, and Instagram allows only one there.
- You can share your Instagram link in emails, on your website, in text messages, or on other social platforms by copying and pasting the address.
- Instagram's link-in-bio tools like Linktree let you put multiple links in that single bio slot, directing people to your website, online store, or other accounts.
- Shortened links (like bit.ly) make Instagram links easier to type and track clicks, but they are optional.
Finding and copying your Instagram profile link
Open Instagram on your phone or computer and go to your business profile. On a phone, tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right, then tap your username at the top. On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right and select "Profile."
Once you are on your profile page, look for the share button. On a phone, it looks like a paper airplane or arrow pointing outward, usually in the top right corner near the follow button. Tap it. On a computer, click the share icon (also an arrow or paper airplane) near the top of your profile. A menu will appear with options to share to different platforms or copy the link.
Select "Copy Link" or the option that says "Copy Profile URL." The address instagram.com/yourusername is now in your clipboard and ready to paste anywhere — an email signature, your website, a text message, or another social media post.
Putting a link in your Instagram bio
Your Instagram bio is the text section at the top of your profile, below your username and profile picture. It is the most visible real estate on your profile, and it is the only place Instagram allows you to put a clickable link that people can tap directly from your profile.
To add or change the link in your bio, tap "Edit Profile" (on a phone) or "Edit Profile" (on a computer). You will see a field labeled "Website" or "Link." Paste your Instagram profile link there if you want to link to another Instagram account, or paste a different link — your business website, an online store, a scheduling page, or a landing page.
Instagram allows only one link in the bio. If you want to direct people to multiple places (your website, your online store, your email newsletter signup), you will need a link-in-bio tool like Linktree, Later, or Beacons. These services let you create a single landing page with multiple clickable links. You paste the Linktree link in your Instagram bio, and when people click it, they see all your links in one place.
Sharing your Instagram link on other platforms
Copy your Instagram profile link (instagram.com/yourusername) and paste it anywhere you want people to find you. Common places include your email signature, your business website's contact page, your LinkedIn profile, your Facebook business page, your TikTok bio, or a text message to a customer.
On Facebook, you can paste the link in a post and Facebook will automatically show a preview of your Instagram profile. On your website, you can paste it as plain text or turn it into a clickable button. In an email, paste it as a link in your signature or in the body of the message.
If the link feels long or you want to track how many people click it, you can shorten it using a tool like bit.ly or TinyURL. These services turn instagram.com/yourusername into something like bit.ly/yourname. Shortened links are easier to type if you are printing them on a flyer or business card, and they let you see how many clicks you got.
Using shortened links to track clicks
A shortened link is a shorter web address that redirects to your full Instagram link. Services like bit.ly, TinyURL, and Rebrandly create these for free. Go to bit.ly, paste instagram.com/yourusername into the box, and click "Shorten." You get back a short link like bit.ly/yourname.
The advantage is tracking. Bit.ly shows you how many people clicked the link, where they clicked from, and what device they used. This tells you whether your email campaign, your flyer, or your website is actually driving people to Instagram. You can create a different shortened link for each place you share (one for email, one for your website, one for a flyer) and see which channel works best.
The disadvantage is that people see a shortened link instead of your actual Instagram address. Some people distrust shortened links because they cannot see where they lead. For most business uses, the tracking data is worth it, but if you are printing a link on a business card or flyer where people will type it by hand, your actual Instagram address is clearer.
Adding Instagram links to your website
If you have a business website, add your Instagram link in at least two places: in the footer (the bottom of every page) and on a contact or social media page. In the footer, paste instagram.com/yourusername as a clickable link next to your other social media icons or as text that says "Follow us on Instagram."
On your contact page or "About Us" page, add a sentence like "Follow us on Instagram for daily updates" with instagram.com/yourusername as a clickable link. Some websites use Instagram icons or buttons instead of text — click the icon and it opens your Instagram profile in a new tab.
If you use a website builder like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify, you can usually add social media links through the design settings. Look for a "Social Media" or "Footer" section in your editor, paste your Instagram link, and the builder will turn it into a clickable icon or button automatically.
What happens after someone clicks your Instagram link
When someone clicks instagram.com/yourusername, they land on your profile page. They see your profile picture, your bio, your follower count, and your recent posts. If they like what they see, they can tap the "Follow" button to start seeing your posts in their feed.
Instagram tracks this traffic. If many people visit your profile from a link you shared, Instagram's algorithm notices the engagement and may show your posts to more people. This is why sharing your Instagram link strategically — in emails to customers, on your website, in messages to people who might be interested — matters more than just posting it randomly.
People can also message you directly from your profile, save your posts, or share them with their friends. The more traffic you drive to your profile, the more opportunities you have to convert visitors into followers, and followers into customers or regular readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Instagram username and keep the same link?
Yes. When you change your username in settings, your old link stops working and your new link becomes instagram.com/yournewusername. Update any links you have shared on your website, email signature, or other places. If you use a shortened link, it will still work because it redirects to your current profile.
What if I want to link to a specific Instagram post instead of my profile?
Open the post, tap the three dots in the top right, and select "Copy Link." This gives you a link to that specific post instead of your profile. You can paste this link anywhere, and people will land on that post when they click it. This is useful if you want to share a particular product photo or announcement.
Do I need a shortened link or is my regular Instagram address fine?
Your regular address (instagram.com/yourusername) works perfectly fine. Shortened links are optional and useful only if you want to track clicks or if the link will be printed somewhere people have to type it by hand. For most uses, the regular link is clearer and more trustworthy.
Can I put my Instagram link in my Instagram bio if I have a business account?
Yes. All Instagram accounts, including business accounts, have a website field in the bio. You can link to your Instagram profile from another platform's bio, or link to your website from your Instagram bio. You cannot make your Instagram bio link to itself, but you can link to your website, online store, or a landing page instead.