Add a WhatsApp banner to your Instagram profile

Most Irish SMEs on Instagram still handle enquiries through DMs. You know how it goes; messages get lost between the primary inbox and "requests," if they're not following you they can't see the "Message" button, and if they do get through half never get a reply. A WhatsApp banner is a button Instagram adds to your profile that opens a WhatsApp chat directly, skipping DMs entirely. Since you number isn't publicly visible on your profile anymore it should cut down on some of those annoying robo-calls you get too.

It takes less then a minute to set up and works on any Business or Creator account.

Why it's worth doing

• Fewer clicks to a real conversation. One tap opens WhatsApp with your number already in the chat, no "hi, are you open?" DMs that sit unread.
• Skips DM roulette. Instagram splits messages across a primary inbox and a requests folder; a WhatsApp banner routes people straight to a channel you actually check.
• Your number isn't printed in your bio. Instagram shows a "WhatsApp" button rather than the digits themselves, only revealing it to whoever taps to start a chat, not to anyone scrolling or scraping your profile.
• Meets customers where they already are. WhatsApp is the default messaging app for most people in Ireland, a smaller ask than filling in a contact form, especially from a phone.

Setting it up