Your Instagram profile has a permanent web address you can copy and share
Every Instagram account has its own web link — a URL that takes people directly to your profile when they click it. This link stays the same whether your account is public or private, and you can share it in messages, emails, on other websites, or anywhere else you want people to find you. Instagram does not make this link obvious, but it takes about 30 seconds to find once you know where to look.
The link format is always instagram.com/yourusername. If your username is sarah_chen, your link is instagram.com/sarah_chen. You do not need to add anything or change your account settings — the link works when ready and will update automatically if you ever change your username.
Key Takeaways
- Your Instagram profile link is instagram.com/ followed by your exact username, and it works whether your account is public or private.
- You can copy your profile link directly from the Instagram app by opening your profile, tapping the menu icon, and selecting "Copy profile URL".
- On a web browser, you can copy the link from the address bar at the top of the page when you are viewing your own profile.
- Sharing your profile link does not change your privacy settings — private accounts still require the viewer to send you a follow request.
- If you change your username, your old link stops working and your new link becomes active when ready.
Copy your link from the Instagram app on your phone
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. This takes you to your profile page, where you see your photo, bio, and posts. At the top right of your profile, you will see three horizontal lines (called a menu icon). Tap that icon.
A menu will appear with several options. Look for "Copy profile URL" and tap it. Instagram copies your link to your clipboard — you will not see a confirmation message, but the link is ready to paste. Open any app where you want to share it (a text message, email, Notes app, or another social media platform) and paste the link using the standard paste gesture for your phone.
Copy your link from a web browser
Go to instagram.com in any web browser and log in if you are not already logged in. Click your profile icon at the top right, then click "Profile" from the dropdown menu. This opens your profile page in the browser.
Look at the address bar at the very top of the browser window — the place where web addresses appear. You will see instagram.com/yourusername. Click once in the address bar to select it, then use Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac) to copy the link. You can now paste it anywhere you need it.
What happens when someone visits your profile link
When someone clicks your profile link, they land on your Instagram profile page. If your account is public, they can see your bio, profile photo, and all your posts without following you. If your account is private, they see your bio and profile photo, but your posts are hidden and they see a "Follow" button instead. They must send you a follow request, which you can accept or decline.
Sharing your profile link does not automatically make your account public or change any of your privacy settings. The link itself is just a web address — it does not grant access to anything beyond what your current privacy settings already allow.
What to do if you change your username
Instagram allows you to change your username once every 14 days. When you do, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim, and your old profile link stops working. Your new link becomes active when ready and follows the same format: instagram.com/yournewusername.
If you have shared your old link anywhere — in an email signature, on a website, in a document — you should update those places with your new link. Anyone who tries to use the old link will see a "User Not Found" message. You can change your username by going to Settings, tapping Account, and selecting Username.
Why your link matters for your information
Your profile link is the main way people outside Instagram find and access your account. When you share this link, you are directing people to see whatever your privacy settings allow them to see. If your account is public, anyone with the link can view all your posts, see who you follow, and see who follows you. If your account is private, the link only shows your bio and photo until someone follows you.
Understanding what your link reveals is part of controlling what information about you is visible on Instagram. Before you share your profile link widely — on a resume, business card, or public website — check your privacy settings to make sure you are comfortable with what people will see when they arrive at that link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a custom or shortened version of my Instagram link?
Instagram does not offer custom links or link shortening built into the app. You can use a third-party link shortener like bit.ly or tinyurl.com to create a shorter version of your Instagram link, but the link itself will always be instagram.com/yourusername on Instagram's platform.
What if someone else has a username similar to mine?
Instagram usernames are unique — no two accounts can have the exact same username. If someone has a username very similar to yours (like sarah.chen versus sarahchen), their link will be different. Make sure you are sharing your exact username so people land on your account and not someone else's.
Does sharing my profile link let people see my direct messages?
No. Your profile link only shows your public profile page — the bio, photo, and posts. It does not give anyone access to your direct messages, saved posts, or any private information. Only people you have accepted as followers can send you messages, and they cannot see your messages unless you reply.
Can I make my profile link private or hidden?
Your profile link cannot be hidden or made private — it is always accessible to anyone who knows your username. If you want to control who sees your profile, use Instagram's privacy settings to make your account private instead. This does not hide the link, but it does hide your posts from people who do not follow you.