BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

More From Forbes

Edit Story

Instagram Reveals Massive Upgrade For All Users

Following

Instagram is finally adding a much-demanded profile feature that has been missing from the app for so long that multiple third-party services have already emerged specifically to fill the gap.

In the most recent of his regular weekly updates Instagram head, Adam Mosseri, has announced the worldwide roll-out of a new ‘links in bio’ feature that allows you to add up to five external links to your Instagram profile rather than just one.

These links allow visitors to your profile to jump effortlessly to other online content you may want to feature, such as a preferred website, Twitter profile or Etsy store, without having to go through a third-party ‘links in bio’ service such as Linktree or Campsite.bio.

To use the new feature:

Open the Instagram app, go to your profile and tap the ‘Edit Profile’ button.

  • About halfway down the screen, tap ‘Links’.
  • On the next screen, tap ‘Add external link’
  • Type in the URL for your new link and optionally give it a title that will show up instead of the URL when viewed on your profile
  • Repeat the process up to four more times to add extra links
  • Rearrange the order of the links as you wish, placing the most important one at the top.

Your first link will show up directly on your profile and visitors will be able to access a list of your remaining links via an extra tap.

While Instagram’s new feature certainly isn’t good news for existing ‘links in bio’ providers, they won’t be replaced immediately. Linktree, for example, offers many additional options such as customized link templates with animations and styles, multi-platform support, and data analytics suited to small businesses.

Instagram will have to go a lot further to challenge such offerings, but this latest update will be a welcome addition for many users whose online presence is spread over multiple services. The flip side is, of course, that Instagram will gain more information about those users and what they are up to online.

Follow @paul_monckton on Instagram

MORE FROM FORBESApple Reveals New Game-Changing FaceTime FeaturesMORE FROM FORBESNew Apple Leak Reveals Massive iPhone 15 Pro Max Upgrade