Link in bio: Your mini website on Instagram

As active social media users, we’re all familiar with the call-to-action “link in bio!” plastered throughout Instagram. But have you ever considered using the link-in-bio feature as a mini website where your followers can find exactly what they are looking for – and quickly?

This year, Instagram rolled out a new feature that allows you to add multiple links to your Instagram profile – up to five to be exact.

[It’s] probably one of the most requested features we’ve had. – Mark Zuckerberg

When you consider that 36% of local diners discover restaurants through social media, according to a recent Dineplan survey, it’s clear that this is a game-changer for restaurants! It allows you to drive diners to your website, take reservations and promote menus and specials – all in one place.

How to add multiple links to your Instagram profile

Adding multiple links to your Instagram bio is a simple process, just follow these steps:

1. Open Instagram and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
2. Tap “Edit Profile”.
3. Scroll to the “Links” section and tap “Add External Link”.
4. Copy the URL of the page you want to feature in your bio. (For example, your trackable Dineplan link)
5. Paste the URL into the “URL” section.
6. Add a descriptive title to the link. (For example: Book a table)
7. Repeat steps 4-6 to add additional links.
8. Tap “Done” to save your changes.

If you’d like to rearrange the order of your links, tap and hold on the link you want to move and drag up or down.

If you use a link-in-bio platform like Linktree, Later, or Tap Bio, you can include it in your list too. Here’s how:

1. Simply copy and paste the URL into the “URL” section.
2. Give the link a title.
3. Tap “Done” to save your changes.

Five links every restaurant should include in their bio

Directing followers to your website, reservation link, new menus and other important information may sway diners into visiting your restaurant rather than your competitor’s. Here are five links you should add to your bio:

1. Website

Diners want to learn as much as they can about a restaurant before they visit. Adding a link to your website is a quick way for them to get all the information they need. (Just remember to have your website updated!)

2. Reservations

Help your guests skip the hassle of searching for phone numbers and email addresses, simply add your Dineplan link and send them straight to your booking calendar.

3. Menu

Most diners will want to browse your menu before booking a table, so make it easy for them to see what food and drinks you offer.

4. Newsletter subscription

Link to your newsletter sign up form and capture guest details to stay in touch with email marketing. Now you can grow your mailing list and send newsletters to promote your upcoming specials and events.

Tip: Try adding an incentive to get more diners to sign up!

5. Specials and events

Having a special, event or limited-time menu can sometimes clutter your feed. Add the link to your bio to generate excitement and once it’s done, simply hide or remove it from your links.

Instagram vs. link-in-bio platforms

For now, Instagram’s multi-link option is still relatively new and has its limitations, where other link-in-bio platforms are able to offer more customisation. However, both can be used together to get the most out of your Instagram profile.

Try linking to your website, digital menu, and online booking calendar in your Instagram bio. Then, include a link to your link-in-bio platform to list all your specials, events, and recipes. This gives your followers easy access to all the information they need, while also minimising the number of clicks to make a reservation.

New updates and platforms pop up all the time, so only time will tell which is the better option, but bio links and their benefits aren’t going away anytime soon. If you’re not already using Instagram’s multi-link feature, I encourage you to give it a try!