In a frustrating move that’s raising eyebrows across the internet, Instagram has quietly restricted users from editing the website links in their bio unless they’re on a mobile device using the official app. This change effectively forces users to download the Instagram app just to perform a basic profile update — a tactic many are calling manipulative and anti-user.
Upon trying to update their bio links via the browser, users are now greeted with the message:
“You can only edit your links on mobile devices. Go to the Instagram app and edit your profile to change the websites in your bio.”
This change offers no valid technical justification. Instagram’s web platform is more than capable of handling simple profile edits — a feature that was previously available and widely used by content creators, businesses, and everyday users. By locking this functionality behind their mobile app, Instagram appears to be deliberately nudging users to download the app, boosting install metrics and engagement — at the cost of user convenience.
Critics argue that this move not only disrupts user experience but borders on dark pattern design: a method used to manipulate users into actions they wouldn’t normally take, like installing an app for a task that was once freely accessible online.
For influencers and business owners who manage their brand presence across devices, this change is more than just an inconvenience — it’s a clear step backward. Instagram, a platform owned by Meta, continues to limit user freedom in favor of mobile-driven metrics, despite ongoing criticism for similar behavior in the past.
At a time when digital accessibility and user empowerment should be prioritized, Instagram’s latest restriction feels like a cynical attempt to inflate app downloads by removing core features from the browser. And users aren’t buying it — they’re calling it what it is: a cheap trick.
