If they say a picture is worth a thousand words
then I say how in the heck
do you encapsulate your entire Instagram account
in 150 characters or less.
This 147-character conundrum plagues people and businesses everywhere trying to perfect their Instagram bios.
If only such an account existed…
But the struggle is over. Read on for over 180 Instagram bio ideas so you can come up with something you love and move on with your life—including tips, templates, quotes, real examples, and even ready-made copy/paste bios.
Table of contents
Creative Instagram bio ideas
If you’ve looked around at other Instagram bio ideas posts, you’ve probably seen the “Be a warrior in a world of worriers.” Yawn. Brand Coach & Stylist @Pinkpompombyjen gives us a creative alternative:
🙋🏻♀️ Helping your brand become a flamingo in a flock of seagulls
Here are some more creative Instagram bio ideas to help you flamingofy your account.
Have fun with prepositions
- I work…
In finance.
On your goals.
Until the work is done. - Beyond repair. Far from perfect. On the edge (of glory).
- In love with____. All about ____. Not into ____.
List your ingredients
- Workout vids, dog pics, motivational quotes served over a bed of sarcasm.
- Sometimes sweet, sometimes salty, but mostly nuts (like granola).
- A delicious blend of event planning tips and photos of my dog, with a splash of wit. Okay maybe an entire bottle of wit.
Declare what your account or business is not…
- Not a photo feed. A portal into perspectives that will change your world.
- Our Women’s Network isn’t a club you join, but a place you belong.
- ➡️. NOT a 101 page, self-education required! ⬅️ (@3tokenbrowngirls)
Variations on a theme
- Rotate out a different inspirational quote or lyric each week or month.
- Periodically change up the end or beginning of the same sentence, like
- Is it me or ____?
- Seems like just yesterday I was _____…
- I wouldn’t trade this for _____.
- Share questions people don’t think about.
- Why do we cook bacon and bake cookies?
- Do fish have ears?
More creative Instagram bio ideas
- Warning/caution: This is a _____ zone.
- A picture is worth 1000 _____.
- I’m a case study in ______.
Cute Instagram bio ideas
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms for fashion, lifestyle, and mom bloggers, but cute bios aren’t only for them. There are plenty of ways to add a touch of charm and delight to yours. Take goldieblox, for example.
Alliteration
- Connector~Consultant~Communicator (@harlemlovebirds)
- 🛠️ Perpetual project starter • where fixing is fun & grit is good🔥 Ugly Duckling House™️ • 1946 camper reno: #RubysRevival (@uglyducklingdiy)
- Adaptable. Adept. Adorable
Rhyme
- We make. 🔧 We break. 💥 We create. ✨ We are GoldieBlox, home of the #GoldieSquad 💛 (@goldieblox)
- Color Lover | Pattern Mixer | Trend Ignorer | Budget Stretcher 🛠. (@tasha.kaleidoscope)
- We do it all for our guests—and the ‘gram #iFlyAlaska
Care shouldn’t be rare. #AlaskaCarelines
Parentheses
- An owner’s perspective on dog training (and sometimes life) with a formerly #reactivedog (@falcothedog)
- Comedian & New York Times Bestselling Author (srsly) (@girlwithnojob)
[Doing something], one post at a time
- Spilling the marketing tea one post at a time (@brafton)
- Making taxes just a little less boring, one post at a time.
- Chipping away at the proverbial _____, one post at a time.
More cute copy/paste Instagram bio ideas
- Be bold or italic. Never regular.
- If I had a dime every time I posted a picture of a _____…
- A day in the life of a ____ gone rogue.
- True confessions of a…
Simple Instagram bio ideas
You know what they say, less is more. Sometimes a few words can say a lot more about a person, business, or brand than a full bio with emojis, offers, links, and more. PPC Influencer Joe Martinez’s Instagram bio is a great example:
#Family, #StarWars, @paidmediapros, #Vinyl in that order
Here are some more simple Instagram bio ideas to consider, if it matches your brand voice.
Short lists
- News. Arts & Life. Music & more. This is NPR. (@npr)
- Vanilla. Pepsi. PC. ToMAYto. Hot.
X solves everything
- Creativity
- Caffeine
- Exercise
- Honesty
- Laughter
- Your product
More simple copy & paste Instagram bio ideas
- Living vicariously through myself.
- Practice what you post.
- Actions > words
- Real, not perfect.
- Living from the inside out.
- Welcome to my world
- So far so good
- I got nothing.
Clever Instagram bios
With over one billion monthly active users and only 150 characters, if you can manage to be clever in an Instagram bio, then power to ya. Or if you aren’t looking to get more Instagram followers, take Megan Brame’s approach and just tell people to go to your website.
Here are some more clever Instagram bio ideas.
Share mind-blowing questions or statements.
- Is the answer to this question no?
- Things aren’t on fire. Fire is on things.
- What if when you sweat, it’s your muscles crying?
Make references in your bio that only people in your niche would appreciate…see who DMs you
- Coders: (canDance) = “true”
- Chiropractors: I’m a pain in the C1, C2, and C3.
- SEOs: Forever in search of the answer to (not found).
End a common statement with something
- 26.2 miles….scrolled with my thumbs
- Dance like no one cares because they’re worried about others watching.
Get clever with your name or business name
- Sutton’s Roofing. Got a leak? Call us up, we’ll do sutton about it.
- Because there are no bees in is no
More clever copy/paste Instagram bio ideas
- I’ll let the pictures do the talking
- Faking it (and posting here) until I make it
- Caution: posts can be highly motivating. Follow at your own risk.
Funny Instagram bio ideas
The funny thing about funny Instagram bios is that it’s all in the details. Had Moosejaw put an exclamation point after “Just ask our moms” or even ended the bio with that statement, I’d have just dismissed it. Instead, it makes me chortle.
Here are some more funny Instagram bio ideas:
One statement that says it all
- I fold my socks.
- It took me an hour to write this bio.
- _____was my most played song.
- They know me by name at ______.
Flip a cliche phrase
- Live. Laugh. Gloves.
- Professional knicker twister.
- Lip balm and carry-ons.
- I’m 100% okay with the shots I didn’t take.
Making history…or maybe just [something here]
- Really good excuses
- Jokes
- Clothing
- Meals
Go for self-deprecation
- Don’t let the filters fool you. In real life I’m actually ugly.
- Don’t mind me…just an existential crisis. Move along folks.
- Do mood swings count as exercise?
- As useful as the “g” in lasagna.
- Follow me if you want to feel better about your own life.
More funny copy/paste Instagram bio ideas
- It’s possible that I’m eating frosting with a spoon.
- Give me the [something you love] and nobody gets hurt
- “Be strong,” I whisper to my WiFi signal
- Here lies what you would find if X collided with Y.
- The only place where _____ makes sense.
Cool Instagram bio ideas
Cool is versatile. There are cool ways to impress people, express yourself, raise awareness about something, and inspire your followers. Maybe it’s because I’m an athlete myself, but I find adidas’ Instagram bio cool.
Through sport, we have the power to change lives.
Confidently stated with no hype, embellished words, or emojis. This is copy that sells.
Three short sentences
- Stay humble. Be kind. Work hard.
- ____ by day. ____ by night. ____. Never quite right.
Make a statement with a stat
- Roughly 80% of trash in landfills could be recycled.
- 20% of small businesses fail within the first year. Let’s change that.
- Only 1 in 3 adults get the recommended amount of physical activity each week.
Actually use the word cool
- Making Mondays cool again. (Or for the first time)
- An antidote to modern times. Drinks and powders to help you feel calm cool collected. (@takearecess)
- Meditation tips and cute pets to help you cool your jets.
Speaking of cool, have you seen these cool Instagram Story ideas?
The best Instagram bio ideas for businesses
Few social media marketing plans are complete without an Instagram account, and because social media gives your business a chance to express its human side, you can use any of the ideas in this post. But here are some that are best suited for Instagram marketing.
Share your mission statement
- Unlocking the potential of design thinking to change the world of education.
- Empowering small businesses with big dreams to achieve them, through human guidance and machine learning.
- To make healthy, good-tasting, and fun-to-make food available to all communities.
- Use our mission statement examples for inspiration.
Use your value proposition or tagline
- We make growing your business online easy and exciting. Our team is collectively responsible for our culture & strategic inspiration. (@xponent21)
- The Customer Generation Agency for Software Companies.
Learn More👇
directiveconsulting.com/quick-links
@directiveconsulting - The leader in the trading card investment marketplace. (@pwccmarketplace)
- We make equipment to take you from the water, to the mountain, and every journey in between. @dakine
- Use our value proposition examples for more ideas.
Drop social proof/trust signals
- Online visibility management SaaS platform that has been used by over 10,000,000 marketers🔥 (@semrush)
- Delicious recipes, easy meals, incredible products to keep your family happy & healthy. We are proud to be a family company since 1916. #wegmans (@wegmans)
- The Southwest’s employee-owned, premier full scope mechanical construction and facility management company for 75+ years. (@tdindustries)
Share your best attributes
- Fragrance for your atmosphere, made in California.
Indie-owned + operated. Climate Neutral certified. ♻️
Our first-ever body care collection is here 👇
pfcandleco.com/hand-body-wash
(@pfcandleco) - 🦈 Every Purchase Helps Save Marine Life
♻️. Swap to Sustainable #savethefishies
(@sand_cloud)
Tell followers what to expect
- Products and advice for life’s pursuits. Follow for the latest in tech, cars, watches, style, furniture & more. (@gearpatrol)
- 30% [industry] tips. 70% relatable memes.
- Power. Positivity. No retouching. #AerieREAL
Encourage user-generated content
- Tag #MyDSW + @dsw for a chance to be featured 📸 (@dsw)
- Helping everyone to live happy, healthy lives at home. Share your home photos with #apartmenttherapy 🏠✨ (@apartmenttherapy)
- There are endless ways #PetsBringUsTogether. Share yours with us (@Chewy)
Brag about yourself
- All-inclusive weight loss + fitness retreats on an exclusive 200 acre resort near Nashville
All ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Google Reviews [email protected] - Adam Spivey
1.5M on TikTok
Train from the comfort of your own home, with our world renowned online training program
👇🏻
www.southenddogtraining.co.uk
(@southenddogtraining) - Startup Marketing Guy. 15+ years in early-stage startups with 3 exits. Author & Coach teaching startups how to do #SEO #Email #PRmarketing #ASO & more. andrewstartups.com (@andrewstartups)
Use local keywords
- 🐶 We Help Bring Out The Best Version of Your Dog
📍NYC // Delray Beach, FL
⭐️Best Training Team in NYC @teamdctk9
👇🏼Dog Training 🎥
www.gofundme.com/f/gmadsx-support-robert-and-his-family
(@dreamcometruek9)
Turn it into a basic ad
- Kayla Gould
Custom floral compositions for your dream event
Weddings, Workshops & installations
Now booking for 2023!
www.budsfloral.design
(@__buds) - We are the #1 plumbing, sewer & drain cleaning company in the US. Available 24/7 for any plumbing emergencies. Established in 1970. Call 866-577-1221 (@rooter-man)
Reflect inclusivity
- Openly being who you want, with the people you want, expressing and creating what you want, whenever you want—over the food you want. (@dennysdiner)
Promote your other accounts
- Home of the world’s best books. 📚
✨ #AmplifyBlackStories now with @allwaysblack
(@penguinrandomhouse)
More
- Official home of [brand] on Instagram.
- The lighter side of [business name].
Short Instagram bio quotes
- Seek to be worth knowing rather than well known
- If not now, when? If not you, who?
- Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
- Never mistake motion for action.
- Aspire to inspire before we expire.
- All limitations are self-imposed. – Oliver Wendell Holmes
- There is no substitute for hard work. – Thomas Edison
- And still, I rise. – Maya Angelou
- When words fail, music speaks. – Shakespeare
- Attract what you expect
Reflect what you desire
Become what you respect
Mirror what you admire
Inspirational Instagram bio quotes
- “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James
- “Dreams don’t work unless you do.” – John C. Maxwell
- “The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.”- William James
- “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” – Confucius
- “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.” – Thomas Alva Edison
- “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”– Mark Twain
- “If you want to make enemies, try to change something.” – Woodrow Wilson
- “It is far better to be alone than to be in bad company.” – George Washington
- “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” – Oscar Wilde
- “Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward.” – Soren Kierkegaard
- “The world is full of willing people, some willing to work, the rest willing to let them.”
- “Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument.”
More Instagram bio examples
Back in 2020 (lightyears ago in social media), before the SERP for “Instagram bios” became invaded by hundreds-long lists of cliche copy/paste Instagram bios, Conor Bond curated a list of inspiring, funny, and cool Instagram bios and talked about why they work. This is that post.
Good Instagram bios
1. Tree House Brewing Co.
There’s a lot to love about this example from Tree House Brewing Co.—let’s take it one sentence at a time.
- Uniquely delicious beers crafted with pride & purpose. Plain and simple, this first sentence works because it’s a strong, succinct value proposition.
- Brewer owned & operated. It’s a company, in other words, that you can feel good about doing business with.
- Founded in a small red barn in 2011. The Tree House staff paints a picture of a company that started as nothing and turned into something.
2. Shopify
There’s nothing wrong with aspiring towards profitability. That is, after all, how you keep the lights on. But if you want your Instagram bio to truly make an impact on the people who see it, marketing yourself as a mission-driven organization goes a long way. In the case of Shopify, that means highlighting their support for small, independent businesses.
3. Instagram
Sure, Instagram could be ultra-literal and change their bio to something like this: For free entertainment during Bachelor in Paradise commercials. As much as people appreciate self-awareness, I think Instagram made the right call with this bio. It’s short, it’s sweet, and it aligns the brand with a more meaningful purpose.
4. Apple Music
Nothing complicated to dissect here—just an awesome, memorable value proposition that makes you feel silly for not subscribing to Apple Music. I know I’ve emphasized using your Instagram bio to market yourself as an organization on a mission, but by no means is that a hard-and-fast rule. If you can do what Apple Music does here—i.e., write a no-nonsense value prop that jolts your prospects into action—you’ll be in fantastic shape.
Funny Instagram bios
5. Friskies
This Instagram bio manages to both communicate value and make the visitor laugh (or, y’know, vaguely smile). The value, of course, is that Friskies is an inexpensive alternative to other brands of cat food. “An inexpensive alternative to other brands of cat food,” however, is a pretty lousy tagline; it doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. If you can package your value in a clever one-liner, do it.
6. MoonPie
If you can’t come up with a clever one-liner, you can always take the MoonPie approach—i.e., say something ridiculous. Consumers appreciate a brand that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
7. Twitter
Evidently, social media companies are good at social media marketing. Twitter’s Instagram bio is funny because it’s so brazenly unfunny. Fortunately, this anti-joke strategy is one that plenty of businesses can use. Friskies, for example, could switch their bio to this: Pictures of cats and the food products they enjoy. Elsewhere, a music school could score some laughs with something like this: We’ll teach you how to play music if you agree to give us money.
8. Pop-Tarts
Some brands can successfully market themselves as agents of positive change (and, indeed, be agents of positive change!). But let’s be frank: If Pop-Tarts shifted to a socially conscious brand image, consumers would probably see right through it. Self-awareness is key. Pop-Tarts understands the role it plays in the world at large, doesn’t try to be anything it’s not. Even with something as seemingly harmless as an Instagram bio, it’s important to know thyself.
Cool Instagram bios
9. Ford Motor Company
Sometimes, you have to flex. Call me crazy, but I’ve never met someone who’s comfortable doing business with a company they don’t trust. And if there’s one thing that inspires trust in a prospective customer, it’s authority. If you want to model your Instagram bio after Ford’s, I suggest brainstorming the accomplishments and innovations that separate your business from the rest. And who knows, you may also find yourself ready for some Instagram advertising.
10. The University of Connecticut
In case you needed another example of a braggadocious Instagram bio, we’ve got this winner from UConn. This bio isn’t simply saying, “We’re awesome” but rather “We’re awesome in a wide variety of ways.” Tons of academic disciplines? Nice. Extraordinary athletic achievements? Thats cool. A husky named Jonathan? Sounds fun. Your Instagram bio is the perfect place to succinctly outline a handful of characteristics that make your business unique. Industry awards, office amenities, forward-thinking employee initiatives—if you’re proud of it, put it in your Instagram bio for all to behold.
11. The Intercept
One way to craft a cool Instagram bio is to write a super brief, super impactful tagline that’s guaranteed to stick in your visitors’ minds. Of course, your tagline shouldn’t just be memorable; it should faithfully communicate the mission, purpose, or impact of your brand. In its bio, The Intercept highlights the hard-nosed manner in which they conduct their journalism.
Here’s a few ideas for different businesses we’ve discussed so far:
- Twitter: Essential content made accessible.
- Tree House: Great beer, better people.
- Apple Music: All the music, none of the noise.
12. Sleep Number
Clearly, whoever manages Sleep Number’s social media presence went to The Intercept School of Instagram Bios. Brief? Yup. Memorable? Absolutely. Faithful representation of the value delivered to customers? You better believe it.
I should be clear: A cool Instagram bio isn’t going to result in immediate conversions. Instead, it’s going to capture mindshare. A truly killer tagline will improve the likelihood that a prospect remembers your brand name when they’re ready to begin their customer journey.
Creative Instagram bios
13. The Montague Bookmill
Well-written copy can inspire a sense of curiosity in your prospects, encouraging them to proactively learn more about your business. Once they take the first step to learn more—by clicking the link in your Instagram bio, for instance—they’re officially inside your marketing funnel. This example from the beloved Montague Bookmill is a fantastic example of such a curiosity gap. It’s not only memorable—it’s legitimately mysterious. If that’s not a surefire way to drive website traffic, I’m not sure what is.
14. Angel Soft
“Be soft, be strong” is a nice tagline—a short, sweet, and memorable encapsulation of what you’re looking for in bathroom products. But what makes this a truly creative Instagram bio is the way Angel Soft connects its tagline to a broader message about humanity: People are both soft and strong, which is why our products are too. This added layer of sentimentality that helps Angel Soft humanize its brand as a business that sincerely cares about people.
15. SeatGeek
The underlying message of this bio a powerful one: Our platform will connect you to tickets for literally any event you can think of. In an industry with several major players—Ticketmaster, StubHub, Gametime—establishing a high degree of authority is important. Furthermore, this is yet another example of a tagline that you can’t help but remember. When you decide to look for tickets to your next show, they’ll probably be the company at that comes to mind.
16. Planet Fitness
Establishing your authority isn’t the only way to build trust. Planet Fitness takes a relatability approach by expressing its affinity for memes, pizza, and long (presumably casual) walks on the treadmill. This effectively undermines the stereotype of the self-serious gym and lets prospects feel good about its silly and laid-back side—a nice way to stand out in your industry.
Cute Instagram bios
17. Skippy
Maybe this example strikes some of you as low-hanging fruit, but if the goal of your Instagram bio is to show off your brand’s personality and make a positive first impression, a pun can do the trick. And while you may be tempted to assume that this approach fails to communicate authority, I’d argue that it takes confidence to do what Skippy’s doing here. Only a brand that’s sure of itself (and the value it delivers to consumers) would commit to a silly, punny Instagram bio.
18. Alaska Airlines
This Instagram bio communicates both that Alaska Airlines has high standards of customer service and that it likes to have fun. Everyone has a nightmare travel story, but the Alaska Airlines Instagram bio reassures you that you’re in the right hands. And the Fly smart. Land happy tagline? You’re not going to find too many taglines more catchy or effective than that.
19. Google
OK, Google! I’ll be honest: I wouldn’t have expected Google to bring the heat with its Instagram bio. Alas, here we are. In addition to this easy, lighthearted (and photography!) pun, there’s also a curiosity gap here. “What does ‘Google unfiltered’ even mean?” You can’t help but scroll through its feed to find out.
20. LEGO
This bio from LEGO conveys a real sense of escapism. No matter who you are, no matter what you’ve got going on in your life, you’re welcome to use LEGO’s Instagram profile as a source of joy—or even inspiration. Many people use Instagram purely to escape from the anxieties of everyday life. So, for example, if you’re marketing a cafe, it’s totally fair game to make your Instagram bio something like this: Life is stressful. Take a break and look at pictures of lattes.
Inspirational Instagram bios
21. WeWork
Unfortunately, a lot of folks find themselves with jobs that don’t quite excite them. What makes WeWork’s an effective Instagram bio is its play on a common phrase make a living. Can you think of any figures of speech that closely relate to the product or service you provide? For a travel agency, “find yourself” could work. Sometimes, finding yourself means going somewhere you’ve never been. Inspirational, no?
22. Patagonia
An inspirational Instagram bio is easy when your company is aligned with a very specific mission, like Patagonia. Consumers appreciate a company that’s sure of itself and its place in the world. But even if your business isn’t directly affiliated with a specific mission, you can still learn from Patagonia. For example, a textbook company’s bio could be Enabling the brilliant minds of students everywhere since 1978. The key is to emphasize the impact of your product or service has—regardless of whether that impact is your top priority. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
23. Starbucks
Does each and every Starbucks employee wake up in the morning and think, “I’m going to inspire and nurture the human spirit today?” Not likely. It’s probably more like “I hope we don’t run out of the nitro cold brew again.”
But Starbucks’ Instagram bio works. As corny as it may sound, it’s true. People rely on coffee to function. And friendships are built and maintained over coffee. To many, Starbucks is both a provider of energy and a conduit to social life. When writing your Instagram bio, think big. Your bookshop is more than a bookshop; it’s a doorway to thrilling adventures, hilarious stories, and sobering histories.
24. Aerie
In the women’s apparel industry, which is criticized for subjecting consumers to unattainable beauty standards, Aerie has found success by promoting body positivity. If your product or service subverts the stereotype associated with your industry, I strongly encourage you to make that the focal point of your Instagram bio! Not only is that subversion a key part of your value proposition; it’s also a way to demonstrate self-awareness and earn your prospects’ trust.
More Instagram bios we love (and why)
25. World of Vegan
How else can you make clear who you are? By giving more information about the faces behind your brand. World of Vegan includes its photographer’s Instagram handle in its bio as well as a link to its YouTube account where users can further familiarize with the brand.
26. Puma
To add personality to your bio, you can change your fonts, add line breaks, and use emojis. Yet, you can also show personality in the words themselves, as Puma Women does.
27. ASPCA
Make it clear for whom your account is best suited. By using keywords such as animal cruelty and pet adoption, the ASPCA attracts followers who care about those things. Including key phrases relevant to what you do won’t improve rankings as on a search engine. But, it does help to vet and hook the people who visit your profile.
28. Zach King
Instead of linking to another one of your social media profiles in your Instagram bio, consider linking to a piece of content, as Zach King does below. Note also that he describes what the link is and asks people to take action. People are often hesitant to click on links when they don’t know where they’ll lead. A description alone can be powerful, but the addition of a call to action can prompt people who don’t pay attention to these links.
This is the only permanent clickable link you can have on Instagram. That said, you’ll want to do all you can to increase its appeal.
29. Mercedes
How else can you move people to action via your Instagram bio? With a branded hashtag, as Mercedes AMG F1 does. #DrivenByEachOther has at least two benefits. One, various official posts use that hashtag, so Mercedes sees increased engagement on its posts. Two, Formula One fans create their own posts using the hashtag. This also boosts the company’s exposure.
Are you looking for ways to increase engagement on your posts? What about ways to encourage the submission of user-generated content? A branded hashtag could be the way to go.
Also Read – Hashtag or Hashtag Guide or Instagram Hashtag Guide
How can you improve your Instagram bio?
Now that you’ve seen some effective Instagram bios, how does yours stack up? Does it clearly explain who you are, the personality of your brand, and what you do? Does it identify your ideal followers and move them to take action? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, your bio isn’t as effective as it could be. But not to worry! You have positive examples on hand to help you optimize and impact your Instagram growth.