Your Instagram bio is the first thing a patient reads after tapping your name. In about 150 characters, it has to tell them who you are, what you treat, where you practise and what they will learn from your page. A good bio for doctors on Instagram does this clearly, and in 2026 it also has to follow the NMC's new rules.
This guide gives you a simple structure, copy-ready templates by speciality, and a list of words to avoid.
Why your bio matters more after the NMC guidelines
On 6 October 2026, the National Medical Commission issued its Guidelines on Ethical Advertising and Public Communication. News reports on the guidelines say they cover digital communication, and they focus on keeping public information factual and verifiable.
For your bio, this means:
- No "best", "No. 1", "top" or "guaranteed" claims
- No success rates or "100% results"
- No patient testimonials, even in highlights linked from your bio
- No offers like discounts or free consultations
Reports also say the guidelines restrict using a doctor's photograph for self-advertisement or promotional publicity. Keep your profile picture simple and non-promotional, don't put photos in paid promotions, and check with your State Medical Council if you are unsure. Read the full rules in our NMC new guidelines guide.
The good news: a clear, factual bio usually works better than a loud one. Patients trust plain information.
The 5-line structure for a doctor's bio
Instagram gives you a name field plus about 150 characters of bio. Use this order:
| Line | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name field | Name + speciality keyword | Dr. Anjali Verma, Gynaecologist |
| Line 1 | Recognised qualification | MBBS, MS (Obs & Gyn) |
| Line 2 | What your page teaches | Pregnancy & PCOS tips in Hindi |
| Line 3 | Clinic name and area | Verma Clinic, Sigra, Varanasi |
| Line 4 | Factual pointer to timings/contact | OPD timings & address below |
The name field is searchable on Instagram, so adding your speciality there ("Dermatologist", "Child Specialist") helps people find you when they search inside the app.
Copy-ready bio templates by speciality
Replace the names, qualifications and areas with your own. Use only qualifications that are recognised and that you actually hold.
Gynaecologist
Dr. [Name], Gynaecologist MBBS, MS (Obs & Gyn) Pregnancy, PCOS & women's health, simple Hindi mein [Clinic], [Area], [City] OPD timings & address below
Orthopaedic surgeon
Dr. [Name], Orthopaedic Surgeon MBBS, MS (Ortho) Knee, back & bone health tips [Clinic], [City] Clinic details below
Dentist
Dr. [Name], Dentist BDS, MDS Daily dental care tips for families [Clinic], [Area], [City] Timings & location below
Paediatrician
Dr. [Name], Child Specialist MBBS, MD (Paediatrics) Fever, feeding & growth: parents ke sawaal, simple jawab [Clinic], [City]
Dermatologist
Dr. [Name], Dermatologist MBBS, MD (Dermatology) Skin & hair myths explained [Clinic], [City]
Hospital page
[Hospital Name], [City] Departments: [list 3 to 4] 24x7 emergency | Accreditation: [if any] Health awareness posts by our doctors
Hospitals can list factual particulars like departments, facilities, emergency services and accreditation status, as reported in coverage of the guidelines. Keep them accurate.
Words to avoid, and what to write instead
| Avoid | Why | Write instead |
|---|---|---|
| Best gynaecologist in Varanasi | Superlative claim | Gynaecologist in Varanasi |
| 100% painless / guaranteed results | Outcome guarantee | What a procedure involves (in posts) |
| 5000+ happy patients | Unverifiable, testimonial-like | Your qualification and focus |
| Free consultation this week | Offer / inducement | OPD timings & address |
| DM to book now | Solicitation-style call | Clinic details below |
| Celebrity's favourite doctor | Endorsement | Leave it out |
What to put in your link
Instagram lets you add a link. Use it for something useful and factual:
- Your clinic website's contact or timings page
- Your Google Business Profile, so patients get the map and directions (how to set it up properly)
- A patient-education page or article
Avoid link pages full of offers, packages or "book now" banners.
Highlights and the rest of your profile
Your bio sets the tone, but patients also look at your highlights and grid. Keep them consistent:
- Highlights: "Clinic info", "Health tips", "FAQs", "Timings". Don't add a "Reviews" or "Results" highlight.
- Grid: Patient-education reels and posts. If you need ideas, start with the questions you hear in OPD every day.
- Captions: Add a simple line like "This is general information, please consult your doctor" on health tips.
For a bigger plan covering Google, Instagram and your website together, see our digital marketing for doctors plan.
Frequently asked questions
Can I write my clinic phone number in my Instagram bio? Factual contact details are generally treated as patient information. Keep it plain, without offers or "call now for discount" style lines.
Should I use my real name or my clinic name as the username? Either works. If you plan to stay with the same clinic long term, the clinic name is fine. Many doctors use "dr.firstname.lastname" so the page stays with them.
Can I mention my years of experience? Keep it factual and verifiable if you do. Avoid turning it into a comparison with other doctors.
Is a business or creator account better for doctors? A professional account (business or creator) gives you insights and contact buttons. Choose the category that matches you, such as "Doctor" or "Medical & health".
Can I write my bio in Hindi? Yes. A bio in Hindi or Hinglish can feel more familiar to local patients. Just keep the qualification and speciality clear.
Want a second opinion on your profile?
Take our free 2-minute Google + Instagram check to see your score and top three fixes. If you want us to handle scripts, editing, posting and strategy for your page, see our plans or chat with Karunya Digital on WhatsApp.
Sources: Medical Dialogues: NMC issues ethical advertising guidelines, Medical Dialogues: photographs and paid rankings, Medical Dialogues: permitted exceptions, The South First: doctors on Instagram
