Previously, only certain accounts had the ability to place links on their Instagram Story. Now, anyone on Instagram can use the link sticker to send their followers to an external website.
We're going to tell you everything you need to know about link stickers on Instagram: what's changed and how to use them.
What's New With Instagram Link Stickers?
In the past, Instagram gave verified accounts and those with more than 10,000 followers the ability to add a "swipe up" link to their Instagram Story. This was removed in August 2021.
In June 2021, Instagram began testing the link sticker; essentially a button that is placed on an Instagram Story that links out to a website of the user's choosing. At the time, this feature was only available to a select, small group.
Now, this link sticker is available to everyone on Instagram, no matter your follower count. You can link whatever you want: your personal website, a charity, a recipe, and so on.
Of course, your link must follow Instagram's Community Guidelines. The company notes that accounts which repeatedly share hate speech and misinformation will be unable to use the link sticker.
How to Add Links to Your Instagram Story
- Create your Instagram Story as usual, either through capture or upload.
- Tap the sticker icon at the top.
- Select the Link sticker.
- Input the URL.
- Tap Done.
- Reposition the sticker on your Instagram Story. Tap it to change the design.
According to an Instagram blog post, the company is "working on ways to customize the sticker so it’s clear what someone will see when they tap your link". At the time of writing, it's unknown if/when this will happen.
Make Your Instagram Stories Stand Out
It's great that link stickers are now available to everyone on Instagram. It means you can give your Stories a bit of extra character and engage with your followers on other platforms.