To add a link to an Instagram Story, you need to use a clickable link sticker. This is one of the many interactive stickers on the platform that brands and creators can add to their Stories to make them more appealing and engaging for viewers.
If you’re wondering how to use this feature to your advantage, keep reading! In today’s article, we’ll explain how to add a link to an Instagram Story and discuss the best practices you should follow to maximize its benefits.
Let’s start!
What Was the Instagram Swipe Up Feature?
The Instagram swipe-up feature was a tool that allowed eligible users to add a link to their Instagram Stories. This added a “See More” link with an arrow pointing upwards at the bottom of the Story, and when users swiped up, it automatically loaded the attached link on the screen without leaving the app.
The Instagram swipe-up link was a simple yet effective way to drive traffic from Instagram to an external website, and it was widely used by brands and businesses to promote their products. However, it was only available to verified users with at least 10,000 followers. You also needed an Instagram business account to qualify.
This meant that users would have to wait to get verified and get more followers before they could use this feature, significantly limiting its accessibility. But, in August 2021, the swipe-up feature was replaced with the link sticker in a bid to provide users with more creative control and help improve engagement on Instagram.
What Are Link Stickers and What Do They Look Like?
Link stickers are the new way to add links to an Instagram Story. They look just like regular stickers on Instagram and can be customized, like the question sticker, with your choice of text on the screen. However, while you can use multiple regular stickers, you can only add one link sticker per Instagram Story.
Aside from the text, you can also customize the link sticker’s appearance by changing the font, background, and text color to make it more eye-catching. This is a welcome change from the templated See More text of the Instagram swipe-up Story link.
Another difference that the sticker has from the Instagram swipe-up feature is that instead of swiping up to visit the link, viewers have to tap it to reveal the linked URL, giving them the option to choose whether to visit the site or not.
Who Can Access Instagram Link Stickers?
Anyone with an account in good standing can access link stickers, which means that businesses and content creators can add links to their Instagram Stories, regardless of their follower count. This is a great upgrade from the exclusive swipe-up feature, as it allows more users to utilize Instagram for marketing.
Stories, in particular, are an excellent tool for generating leads and driving sales, and they can be key to the success of your social media marketing strategy. In fact, according to Instagram, 58% of consumers stated that they became more interested in a product after seeing it in Stories. Meanwhile, 50% of those surveyed said they directly bought the product as a result.
When you add links to your Instagram Story, your audience can purchase your products directly on the app. This reduces the steps in their path to purchase and makes them more inclined to finalize the sale.
And, unlike the swipe-up feature, link stickers allow viewers to react to or reply to your Story, which can help you understand what kind of content resonates with your audience. While you can also check Instagram Story analytics to see how well your post performed, having the option to interact with your Story makes it more engaging for viewers.
How to Add a Link to Your Instagram Story
To add a link to your Instagram Story using the link sticker, you can follow these simple steps:
Click the Plus icon at the bottom of the Instagram feed to create a new Story.
Tap Story from the content options and shoot your content or upload your chosen media. Then, click the Sticker icon.
Next, tap the Link sticker to add it to your Story.
This will open a new page where you can add your URL and customize the text that appears on your link sticker. If you don’t add any text, your sticker will show the URL instead.
Click Done to go back to your Story and customize your sticker. You can tap it to change its appearance or tap and hold to access the color selector tool and choose a color from your background image.
You can also zoom in or out to change its size or move it around so it isn’t blocking anything. When everything’s good, go ahead and share your post.
4 Best Practices for Adding Links to Instagram Stories
It’s not enough to know how to use the link sticker on Instagram; it’s also important to understand how you can use it properly to boost views, engagement, and sales.
Here are four best practices to keep in mind when adding links to an Instagram Story:
#1. Customize Your Link Sticker
Aside from the in-app changes you can make to your link sticker, you can further customize its appearance by creating an image to use as an overlay. Doing so will highlight the sticker in your Story and ensure that it aligns with your brand’s aesthetic.
Here’s how to customize an Instagram link sticker:
- First, open a design app of your choice, like Canva.
- Then, design a button-style sticker complete with your call to action. Make sure the image has a transparent background so you can easily add it to your Story.
- When done, export the image in PNG format.
To use it in your Story, follow the steps for adding a link to Instagram Stories above. Once you have a Story with a link sticker, tap the Sticker icon again.
Then, select the Photo sticker and upload the image you created earlier.
Position it over your existing link sticker, and you’re done!
Doing this won’t affect the link sticker at all, so don’t worry about losing its main function; users can still click it to access the linked URL.
#2. Use a Strong Call to Action
A strong call to action (CTA) can spur viewers to take action after seeing your Story, so make sure to craft a compelling copy for your link sticker. According to Facebook, 83% of social media users already use Instagram to discover new products, and with the right messaging, you can encourage them to purchase from your brand.
To make your CTA more effective, try using words like “now,” “today,” or “while supplies last” to create a sense of urgency in your message. It’s also important to be brief but informative, so instead of simply using “Click here,” consider saying “Click here to shop.” This emphasizes the action you want your audience to take and can help you convert followers into customers.
#3. Promote an Affiliate Link
You can add an affiliate link to your Instagram Story to start generating revenue simply by recommending products on the platform. Instagram has an affiliate tool that lets creators and influencers earn a commission from the total number of sales they generate for a brand.
By promoting your affiliate link in your Stories, you increase the chances of your audience actually seeing your link and making a purchase, which can help you get bigger payouts. Just make sure to add a paid partnership label to your Story to let viewers know that the post has branded content and avoid issues with the Federal Trade Commission.
#4. Schedule Your Instagram Stories
Scheduling your Instagram Stories ensures that your audience doesn’t miss your post, helping you drive more traffic and engagement. Since Stories are only available for 24 hours, it’s important to post them when your audience is active on the platform to increase their visibility.
Fortunately, you can easily schedule Stories to go live during your audience’s peak hours using the app’s built-in feature or with a powerful social media scheduling tool like Publer. Unlike Instagram’s native scheduler, Publer offers more scheduling options and even has a feature that monitors your audience’s activity on the platform to determine the best time to post.
Key Takeaways
- The Instagram swipe-up feature allowed qualified users to add a link to their Stories.
- Link stickers are a type of interactive sticker that replaced the swipe-up feature on Instagram. Unlike its predecessor, this feature is available to all users.
- You can use the link sticker to add a link to your Instagram Story, but you are limited to only one link and sticker per post.
- Customizing your link sticker, using a strong call to action, and scheduling your Stories are some of the best practices to keep in mind to maximize link stickers’ benefits.
How to Add a Link to an Instagram Story FAQ
#1. Can you get traffic from Instagram Story links?
Yes, you can get traffic from Instagram Story links. In fact, adding links to your Story is one of the easiest ways to drive traffic to your website, as this content format is highly engaging and convenient to use.
#2. Why can’t I add a link to my Instagram Story?
If you can’t add a link to your Instagram Story, it may be because it doesn’t follow the platform’s guidelines. Instagram blocks links that they deem inappropriate to keep the platform safe for all users.
#3. Can I still swipe up on Instagram Story?
You can’t swipe up on a regular Instagram Story anymore because the feature no longer exists; instead, creators can use a clickable sticker to add a link to their Story. However, there are still Instagram swipe-up ads that businesses can use in their Stories to encourage viewers to visit their profile or website.
Ervin Kalemi
