How to Add a Link to Your Instagram Story: A Complete Guide
Hi Online Friends,
Do you want to share more content with your Instagram followers? Do you want to drive more traffic to your website, blog, or online store? Do you want to make your stories more engaging and interactive?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to learn how to add a link to your Instagram story.
Adding a link to your Instagram story is a great way to promote your products, services, offers, or content. It allows you to direct your audience to any destination you want, whether it's your own website or a third-party platform.
But how do you add a link to your Instagram story? And what are the best practices for doing it?
In this article, I will show you everything you need to know about adding links to your Instagram stories. I will explain the different methods, the benefits, the limitations, and the tips for creating effective and clickable links.
By the end of this article, you will be able to add links to your Instagram stories like a pro and boost your online presence.
What Are Links on Instagram Stories?
Links on Instagram stories are clickable stickers or icons that allow viewers to access a web page or an app directly from the story. They are also known as "swipe up" links because viewers can swipe up on the story to open the link.
Links on Instagram stories are useful for many purposes, such as:
- Sharing blog posts, articles, podcasts, videos, or other content
- Promoting products, services, offers, or events
- Driving traffic to your website, landing page, or online store
- Growing your email list or generating leads
- Increasing conversions or sales
- Providing additional information or resources
- Enhancing your brand awareness or credibility
Links on Instagram stories can help you achieve your marketing goals and connect with your audience in a deeper way. They can also make your stories more engaging and interactive, as viewers can take action and explore more of your content.
Who Can Add Links to Instagram Stories?
In the past, only verified accounts or accounts with more than 10,000 followers could add links to their Instagram stories. However, in 2021, Instagram announced that it would roll out the link feature to all accounts, regardless of their follower count or verification status.
This means that anyone with a business or creator account on Instagram can now add links to their stories using the new link sticker. The link sticker is one of the stickers that you can find in the sticker tray when creating a story. It allows you to add a clickable link anywhere on your story and customize its appearance.
The link sticker is different from the previous link icon that was available only for eligible accounts. The link icon was located at the top of the screen when creating a story and added a "swipe up" option at the bottom of the story. The link icon is no longer available for new accounts, but some existing accounts may still have access to it.
How to Add Links to Instagram Stories Using the Link Sticker
Adding links to your Instagram stories using the link sticker is easy and simple. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Create an Instagram story by tapping on the camera icon on the top left corner of the app or swiping right from anywhere in the app.
- Capture a photo or a video for your story or select one from your gallery.
- Tap on the sticker icon at the top of the screen and scroll down until you find the link sticker.
- Tap on the link sticker and enter the URL of the web page or app that you want to link to. You can also paste a URL that you have copied from another source.
- Tap on "Done" when you have entered the URL.
- Reposition and resize the link sticker as you wish. You can also tap on it to change its design and color.
- Add any other elements to your story, such as text, GIFs, filters, etc.
- Share your story with your followers by tapping on "Your Story" at the bottom left corner of the screen or send it to specific people by tapping on "Send To".
Congratulations! You have just added a link to your Instagram story using the link sticker. Now your viewers can tap on the link sticker to open the web page or app that you have linked to.
How to Add Links to Instagram Stories Using the Link Icon
If you are one of the accounts that still have access to the link icon, you can also use it to add links to your Instagram stories. However, keep in mind that this method may not be available for long, as Instagram is phasing out the link icon and replacing it with the link sticker.
Here are the steps to add links to your Instagram stories using the link icon:
- Create an Instagram story by tapping on the camera icon on the top left corner of the app or swiping right from anywhere in the app.
- Capture a photo or a video for your story or select one from your gallery.
- Tap on the link icon at the top of the screen. It looks like a chain.
- Enter the URL of the web page or app that you want to link to. You can also paste a URL that you have copied from another source.
- Tap on "Done" when you have entered the URL.
- Add any other elements to your story, such as text, GIFs, filters, etc.
- Share your story with your followers by tapping on "Your Story" at the bottom left corner of the screen or send it to specific people by tapping on "Send To".
You have just added a link to your Instagram story using the link icon. Now your viewers can swipe up on your story to open the web page or app that you have linked to.
How to Create Effective Links for Your Instagram Stories
Adding links to your Instagram stories is not enough to get results. You also need to make sure that your links are effective and clickable. Here are some tips to help you create better links for your Instagram stories:
Use Short and Simple URLs
The first tip is to use short and simple URLs for your links. Long and complicated URLs can look spammy and unprofessional, and they can also take up more space on your story. Short and simple URLs, on the other hand, can look more trustworthy and appealing, and they can also fit better on your story.
To create short and simple URLs, you can use a URL shortener service, such as Bitly, TinyURL, or Rebrandly. These services allow you to create custom and branded URLs that are easy to remember and share. They also provide analytics and tracking features that can help you measure the performance of your links.
Use Relevant and Engaging Content
The second tip is to use relevant and engaging content for your stories. The content of your story is what attracts and persuades your viewers to click on your link. Therefore, you need to make sure that your content is relevant to your link and engaging for your audience.
To create relevant and engaging content, you can use different types of media, such as photos, videos, boomerangs, reels, or live streams. You can also use different elements, such as text, stickers, GIFs, filters, or music. The key is to use content that matches your brand identity and voice, and that resonates with your target audience.
Some examples of relevant and engaging content are:
- Showing a sneak peek or a teaser of what's behind the link
- Sharing a testimonial or a review of your product or service
- Offering a discount code or a special deal
- Asking a question or a poll
- Creating a tutorial or a how-to guide
- Telling a story or a personal experience
- Sharing a fun fact or a tip
Add a Clear Call-to-Action
The third tip is to add a clear call-to-action (CTA) for your link. A CTA is a phrase or a word that tells your viewers what action you want them to take. A CTA can help you increase the click-through rate of your link and drive more traffic to your destination.
To add a clear CTA, you can use different methods, such as:
- Adding text or stickers on your story that say "Tap Here", "Swipe Up", "Learn More", "Shop Now", etc.
- Using verbal cues or gestures in your video or audio that say "Tap on the Link", "Swipe Up for More", "Check Out the Link", etc.
- Using animated GIFs or effects that draw attention to the link sticker or icon
The keyis to use a CTA that is clear, concise, and compelling, and that matches the tone and style of your content.
How to Add a Link to Your Instagram Story: A Detailed Table Breakdown
To summarize, here is a detailed table breakdown of how to add a link to your Instagram story using the link sticker or the link icon:
| Method | Steps | Benefits | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Link Sticker |
|
|
|
| Link Icon |
|
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions About Adding Links to Instagram Stories
How do I know if I have access to the link sticker or the link icon?
To check if you have access to the link sticker or the link icon, you can create a test story and look for them in the sticker tray or at the top of the screen. If you don't see them, it means that you don't have access to them yet. You may need to update your app, switch to a business or creator account, or wait for Instagram to roll out the feature to your account.
Can I add more than one link to my Instagram story?
No, you can only add one link per Instagram story. If you want to share more than one link, you can create multiple stories or use a service like Linktree, which allows you to create a landing page with multiple links.
Can I add links to my Instagram posts?
No, you can't add links to your Instagram posts. The only way to add links to your posts is by using Linkin.bio by Later, which allows you to create a clickable version of your Instagram feed and link each post to any destination.
Can I track and measure the performance of my links on Instagram stories?
Yes, you can track and measure the performance of your links on Instagram stories by using different tools, such as:
- The native analytics feature on Instagram, which shows you how many people viewed and tapped on your link.
- A URL shortener service, such as Bitly, TinyURL, or Rebrandly, which provides analytics and tracking features for your links.
- A landing page service, such as Linktree or Linkin.bio by Later, which shows you how many people visited and clicked on your links.
- A web analytics tool, such as Google Analytics, which tracks and reports the traffic and behavior of your website visitors.
What are some best practices for adding links to Instagram stories?
Some best practices for adding links to Instagram stories are:
- Use short and simple URLs for your links.
- Use relevant and engaging content for your stories.
- Add a clear call-to-action for your link.
- Test your link before sharing your story.
- Optimize your destination page for mobile devices.
- Analyze and optimize your link performance.
Conclusion
Adding links to your Instagram stories is a powerful way to share more content with your followers and drive more traffic to your website, blog, or online store. It can also help you achieve your marketing goals and connect with your audience in a deeper way.
In this article, I showed you how to add links to your Instagram stories using the link sticker or the link icon. I also shared some tips and best practices for creating effective and clickable links.
I hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you did, please share it with your friends and colleagues who might benefit from it.
And if you want to learn more about Instagram marketing, check out these other articles:
- How to Add Music to Your Instagram Post: A Step-by-Step Guide
- How to Use Instagram Ads Manager: A Beginner's Guide
- How to Advertise on Instagram: A Complete Guide for 2022
Thank you for reading and happy linking!
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