How to Add a Link to Your Instagram Story: A Complete Guide
Hi Online Friends,
Do you want to share links to your website, blog, or products with your Instagram followers? If so, you might be wondering how to add a link to your Instagram story.
Adding a link to your story is a great way to drive more traffic, engagement, and conversions from your Instagram account. It can also help you grow your brand awareness, authority, and credibility.
But how do you add a link to your 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, whether you have 10K followers or not. I will also share some tips and tricks on how to make your stories more attractive, informative, and clickable.
So, let's get started!
What is the Link Sticker on Instagram Stories?
The link sticker is a new feature that Instagram introduced in 2021 to allow all users (regardless of their follower count) to add links to their stories. Previously, this feature was only available to accounts with over 10K followers or verified accounts.
The link sticker is one of the stickers that you can add to your stories, along with polls, questions, countdowns, music, and more. You can find it in the sticker tray at the top of the screen when you create a story.
The link sticker lets you add a clickable hyperlink to any destination, such as a website, an article, a product page, or anything else. You can also customize the appearance of the sticker by changing its text and color.
When you add a link sticker to your story, your viewers will see the first part of the destination URL (the domain name) on the sticker. They can tap on it to open the link in a browser within the Instagram app.
Why Should You Use the Link Sticker on Instagram Stories?
There are many benefits of using the link sticker on your Instagram stories, such as:
- It can help you drive more traffic to your website or blog.- It can help you increase your conversions and sales by directing your followers to your products or services.- It can help you grow your email list by sending your followers to your landing pages or opt-in forms.- It can help you boost your SEO ranking by generating more backlinks to your site.- It can help you share valuable information with your audience and establish yourself as an expert in your niche.- It can help you create more interactive and engaging stories that encourage your followers to take action.How to Add a Link Sticker to Your Instagram Story
Adding a link sticker to your Instagram story is very easy and simple. Here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Open the Instagram app on your phone and tap on the plus sign icon at the top left corner of the screen.2. Select "Story" from the options at the bottom of the screen.3. Take a photo or record a video for your story, or choose one from your camera roll.4. Tap on the sticker icon at the top of the screen and scroll down until you find the link sticker.5. Tap on the link sticker and paste or type the URL that you want to share in the field that appears.6. Tap on "Done" or the blue checkmark icon to confirm the link.7. Tap on the link sticker again to change its text and color if you want.8. Drag and drop the link sticker anywhere on your story and resize it if needed.9. Add any other elements to your story, such as text, filters, GIFs, etc.10. Tap on "Your Story" at the bottom left corner of the screen to publish your story with the link sticker.How to View and Track Your Link Sticker Performance
Once you publish your story with the link sticker, you can view and track how many people have tapped on it and visited your destination URL.
To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open your story and swipe up from the bottom of the screen.2. You will see a list of viewers who have seen your story and a number next to an eye icon that shows how many times your story has been viewed.3. You will also see a number next to a chain icon that shows how many times your link sticker has been tapped.4. Tap on the chain icon to see a breakdown of the link sticker taps by viewer.5. You can also tap on the three dots icon at the top right corner of the screen and select "Insights" to see more detailed analytics about your story performance, such as reach, impressions, replies, shares, and more.Best Practices for Adding Links to Your Instagram Stories
Now that you know how to add links to your Instagram stories, you might be wondering how to make the most of this feature and optimize your stories for maximum results.
Here are some best practices that you should follow when adding links to your stories:
Use Relevant and Valuable Links
The first and most important rule is to use relevant and valuable links that match the content and context of your story. Don't just add random links that have nothing to do with your story or your niche.
Instead, make sure that the links you add provide useful information, solve a problem, answer a question, or offer a benefit to your audience. For example, if you are sharing a story about a new product launch, you can add a link to your product page or a landing page where your followers can learn more or buy it.
Also, make sure that the links you add are trustworthy and credible. Don't use spammy or shady links that might harm your reputation or annoy your followers. For example, don't use links that lead to pop-ups, ads, malware, or low-quality content.
Use Clear and Compelling Call-to-Actions
The second rule is to use clear and compelling call-to-actions (CTAs) that encourage your followers to tap on your link sticker and visit your destination URL. Don't just add a link sticker and expect your followers to click on it without any reason or incentive.
Instead, tell them what they will get or learn by clicking on your link sticker and why they should do it. For example, you can use phrases like "Learn more", "Shop now", "Sign up", "Read more", etc. You can also use emojis, GIFs, or animations to draw attention to your link sticker and make it more appealing.
Also, make sure that your CTAs are visible and easy to read. Don't use too small or too large fonts, or colors that blend in with the background. Use contrast and spacing to make your CTAs stand out and catch the eye of your viewers.
Use High-Quality and Relevant Visuals
The third rule is to use high-quality and relevant visuals that support and complement your link sticker and your story content. Don't just add a link sticker to a blank or boring image or video.
Instead, use visuals that showcase your brand personality, style, and value proposition. Use visuals that capture the attention, interest, and curiosity of your viewers. Use visuals that tell a story, evoke an emotion, or create a connection with your audience.
Also, make sure that your visuals are clear and crisp. Don't use blurry or pixelated images or videos. Use filters, effects, or editing tools to enhance the quality and appearance of your visuals.
A Detailed Table Breakdown Related to How to Add Link on Instagram Story
| Feature | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Link Sticker | A sticker that allows you to add a clickable hyperlink to any destination in your Instagram story | - Drive more traffic to your website or blog - Increase conversions and sales - Grow email list - Boost SEO ranking - Share valuable information - Create interactive and engaging stories |
| Swipe Up Feature | A feature that allows you to add a swipe up gesture to open a link in your Instagram story (only available for accounts with over 10K followers or verified accounts) | - Same as link sticker - More intuitive and familiar for users - Less cluttered and more aesthetic for stories |
| Linkin.bio by Later | A tool that allows you to create a landing page with multiple buttons and a fully clickable version of your Instagram feed that you can add to your Instagram bio | - Drive more traffic from multiple sources - Increase conversions and sales - Grow email list - Boost SEO ranking - Share valuable information - Create a mini website for your Instagram account |
| Story Insights | A feature that allows you to view and track the performance of your stories, such as views, impressions,replies, shares, and link sticker taps | - Measure the effectiveness of your stories and links - Understand your audience behavior and preferences - Optimize your stories and links for better results - Identify what works and what doesn't work for your stories and links |
FAQs About How to Add Link on Instagram Story
Who can add links to Instagram stories?
Anyone who has a Business or Creator account on Instagram can add links to their stories using the link sticker feature. You don't need to have a minimum number of followers or a verified account to use this feature.
How many links can I add to my Instagram story?
You can only add one link per story using the link sticker feature. If you want to add more than one link, you can use a tool like Linkin.bio by Later that allows you to create a landing page with multiple buttons and links that you can add to your Instagram bio.
How long does my link stay on my Instagram story?
Your link stays on your Instagram story for as long as your story is live, which is 24 hours by default. However, you can also save your story to your highlights, which will make your link available for longer than 24 hours.
How do I remove a link from my Instagram story?
If you want to remove a link from your Instagram story, you can do so by following these steps:
1. Open your story and tap on the three dots icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.2. Select "Edit Story" from the menu that appears.3. Tap on the link sticker that you want to remove and drag it to the trash icon at the bottom of the screen.4. Tap on "Done" or the blue checkmark icon to confirm the changes.Can I edit a link on my Instagram story?
Yes, you can edit a link on your Instagram story by following these steps:
1. Open your story and tap on the three dots icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.2. Select "Edit Story" from the menu that appears.3. Tap on the link sticker that you want to edit and change the URL in the field that appears.4. Tap on "Done" or the blue checkmark icon to confirm the changes.Can I add a link to my Instagram post?
No, you cannot add a link to your Instagram post using the link sticker feature. This feature is only available for stories and not for posts. However, you can add a link to your Instagram bio and direct your followers to it from your post caption.
Can I add a link to my Instagram reel?
No, you cannot add a link to your Instagram reel using the link sticker feature. This feature is only available for stories and not for reels. However, you can add a link to your Instagram bio and direct your followers to it from your reel caption.
Can I add a link to my IGTV video?
Yes, you can add a link to your IGTV video using the swipe up feature if you have over 10K followers or a verified account. You can do this by following these steps:
1. Upload your IGTV video as usual and fill in the title and description fields.2. Tap on "Add Link" under the description field and paste or type the URL that you want to share.3. Tap on "Post" or "Save Draft" to publish or save your IGTV video.How do I know if someone clicked on my link on my Instagram story?
You can know if someone clicked on your link on your Instagram story by viewing and tracking your story insights. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open your story and swipe up from the bottom of the screen.2. You will see a number next to a chain icon that shows how many times your link sticker has been tapped.3. Tap on the chain icon to see a breakdown of the link sticker taps by viewer.How do I make my link more visible on my Instagram story?
You can make your link more visible on your Instagram story by following these tips:
- Use clear and compelling call-to-actions that tell your viewers what they will get or learn by clicking on your link.- Use emojis, GIFs, or animations to draw attention to your link sticker and make it more appealing.- Use contrast and spacing to make your link sticker stand out and catch the eye of your viewers.- Place your link sticker near the center or bottom of your story where it is more likely to be seen and tapped.Conclusion
Adding a link to your Instagram story is a powerful way to drive more traffic, engagement, and conversions from your Instagram account. It can also help you grow your brand awareness, authority, and credibility.
With the new link sticker feature, you can easily add links to your stories regardless of how many followers you have. You just need to follow the steps and best practices that I shared in this article.
So, what are you waiting for? Start adding links to your Instagram stories today and see the difference it makes for your business or personal brand.
If you enjoyed this article, please check out my other articles on how to use Instagram effectively. Here are some of them:
- How to Add Music to Your Instagram Post- How to Advertise on Instagram- How to Add a Location on Instagram- How to Add Song to Instagram Post- How to Find Add Yours on InstagramThank you for reading and happy linking!
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