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Profile information
Contents
Profile information is the information that identifies or describes an Instagram account, such as its handle, display name, bio and profile photo.123 Names related to an account’s content and relevant keywords and locations in its bio can help people find it in Search.1 Profile information can also affect whether a public account’s content is eligible for recommendations to non-followers, and professional accounts can use Account Status to check eligibility and see examples of profile components that may break the Recommendations Guidelines.245 Verified students can choose who sees their school banner, and account owners can add multiple bio links and refer to them in content without saying “link in bio” reducing reach.678 In June 2026, Adam Mosseri advised creators changing their account’s focus to make their profile show at a glance what the account is now about.9
How names and bios help accounts appear in Search
Instagram recommends choosing a handle and profile name related to the content an account posts.1 When friends or fans know someone by a particular name, Instagram recommends including that name in the username or profile.1 Instagram also recommends relevant keywords and locations in the bio, and Mosseri said in March 2025 that words describing an industry or occupation can help with search.13
Making the profile explain the account
Profile information should reflect an account’s current subject: Mosseri advised in June 2026 that creators changing focus should make their profile look like what the account is now about.9 For students, a school banner can also communicate which college community they belong to.6 Instagram says displaying this banner requires verification of current student status through a process involving UNiDAYS, and students can choose who sees it.6
When profile information affects recommendation eligibility
Instagram’s Recommendations Guidelines apply to profile information, including a bio or profile photo.2 These rules help Instagram decide which public accounts’ content may be eligible to be recommended in Explore, Reels and Feed Recommendations to people who do not already follow them.2 For professional accounts whose content is ineligible to be recommended, Account Status can show examples of profile components that may go against those guidelines.45 To open Account Status, click More, then Settings, then Account Status under More info and support.2
How it has changed
- 2022
August
Instagram for Creators announced the introduction of recommendation checks for professional accounts in Account Status.4
- 2023
April
Mosseri announced that support for multiple links in Instagram bios was rolling out.8
- 2025
August
Instagram announced a new Add school option for student profiles.6
What you can do
- Add links to your bio and refer to them in your content if useful; Mosseri said in July 2025 that saying “link in bio” does not decrease reach.7
See also
References
- 1Breaking Down How Instagram Search Works
- 2Check your Account Status on Instagram
- 3Here are some tips to make the most of your Instagram profile for a strong first impression.
- 4What Creators Need To Know About Instagram Recommendations
- 5Helping You Understand What’s Going On with Your Account
- 6New: Introducing New Features to Help College Students Connect on Instagram
- 7The rumor that saying“link in bio” will decrease your reach is *not true,* so feel free to add links to your bio and reference them as much as you like.
- 8Multiple links in bio. Rolling out today.
- 9Some advice for creators out there who might want to pivot or reset their account, and make it about a new topic.