Instagram's Link In Bio Won't Work properly for YouTube? Let's fix that.
Instagram hates it when we share off-platform links - but it’s still possible to do.
Let's face it - Instagram bio links suck for YouTubers. Sure, people can view your video in the horrible Instagram browser, but they can't interact with your video in meaningful ways without a bunch of extra steps to log in, making your YouTube video cross-promotion efforts virtually worthless.
What if you could force the YouTube video links that you share on Instagram to open natively in YouTube's app, giving your audience a better experience and increasing the likelihood that people will like, comment, or subscribe?
Well, after much research and testing, I've figured out a way via dynamic links (or deep links) using an intelligent link shortening and tracking tool that many YouTubers already pay for - Geniuslink - and I'll show you exactly how I did it in this video.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel to be notified of new videos!
URLs by device type
To create your own deep links, copy the text below into a document and then modify the {VideoID} text I’ve placed in the brackets (including the brackets). Then just follow the steps in the video!
Having problems copy/pasting? Grab it from this Google Doc.
Generic URL syntax:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v={VideoID}
Android deep link (uses intent URL):
intent://www.youtube.com/watch?v={VideoID}#Intent;package=com.google.android.youtube;scheme=https;end
iOS (iPad, iPhone - uses iOS universal links):
vnd.youtube://www.youtube.com/watch?v={VideoID}
Desktop (Windows/Mac - uses regular URL):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v={VideoID}
Update: thanks to this commenter for pointing out that I forgot to share how to direct people to your channel’s homepage instead of just a specific video:
Thanks for this question the Amadi Household!
Here’s the syntax for using this method for your whole channel as opposed to a single video:
Desktop (Windows/Mac - uses regular URL)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/{channelID}
Android deep link (uses intent URL):
intent://www.youtube.com/channel/{channelID}#Intent;package=com.google.android.youtube;scheme=https;end
iOS (iPad, iPhone - uses iOS universal links):
vnd.youtube://www.youtube.com/channel/{channelID}
Note: this needs to be your default channel ID. You can find this in YouTube’s creator studio under Customization > Basic Info > Channel URL
Relevant Links/Stuff Mentioned
🌐► If you want to follow Michael Shainblum: https://www.instagram.com/shainblumphotography/
🌐► The service I use and demonstrate in this video - https://geniuslink.com/
🌐► URL Genius (alternate solution) - https://urlgeni.us/
