How to Add a Link to Your Instagram Story: A Complete Guide
Hi everyone, welcome to another article on Instagram tips and tricks. In this article, we will show you how to add a link to your Instagram story, a feature that many users have been waiting for. Whether you want to promote your blog, website, product, or service, adding a link to your story can help you drive more traffic and engagement from your followers.
But before we dive into the details, let's first understand what Instagram stories are and why they are so popular. Instagram stories are short-lived posts that disappear after 24 hours, but they are very effective in capturing the attention of your audience. According to Instagram, more than 500 million people use stories every day[^1^]. Stories allow you to share moments from your everyday life in a fun and creative way, using photos, videos, stickers, filters, and more.
What is the Link Sticker Feature?
Previously, only accounts with over 10,000 followers or verified status could add links to their stories using the swipe up feature. This feature allowed users to swipe up on a story and open a web page without leaving the app. However, in May 2022, Instagram announced a major update that allows all users to share links in their stories using a new link sticker[^2^].
The link sticker is one of the many stickers that users can add to their stories, along with polls, questions, music, and more. The link sticker can be placed anywhere on the story and can be customized with different colors and text. Users can also see the first part of the destination link (the domain name) on the sticker, which gives more transparency and trust[^2^].
How to Add a Link Sticker to Your Story?
To add a link sticker to your story, you need to copy the URL you want to share from your browser and then open the Instagram app. After taking a photo or a video for your story, you can tap on the sticker icon at the top of the screen and select the link sticker. Then, you can paste or type the URL in the link field and tap on done. The link sticker will appear on your story and you can move it around or change its style by tapping on it[^3^].
Here is an example of how a link sticker looks like on a story:
The link sticker feature is only available for business or creator accounts and is being rolled out gradually. Some users may still see the old swipe up feature instead of the link sticker. Instagram also said that it will monitor how people use the link sticker and may change or remove it in the future[^4^].
How to Add a Call-to-Action to Your Story?
To increase the chances of your followers clicking on your link, you need to add a clear call-to-action to your story. A call-to-action is a phrase or an element that tells your viewers what you want them to do next. For example, you can say "Swipe up to read more" or "Tap here to shop now" in your story.
You can also use verbal cues, text, GIFs, or other elements that draw attention to the link sticker. For example, you can use an arrow pointing to the link sticker or a GIF that says "Swipe up". The more creative and engaging your call-to-action is, the more likely your viewers will follow it.
Here are some examples of how to add a call-to-action to your story:
Why Should You Add Links to Your Stories?
Adding links to your stories can help you achieve various goals for your brand or business. Here are some of the benefits of using links in your stories:
Increase Traffic
One of the main reasons why users want to add links to their stories is to drive more traffic to their websites or blogs. By adding links to your stories, you can direct your followers to any web page you want them to visit. This can help you increase your website visitors, page views, bounce rate, and conversions.
For example, if you are a blogger, you can use links in your stories to promote your latest blog post and get more readers. If you are an e-commerce seller, you can use links in your stories to showcase your products and get more sales.
Build Trust
Another benefit of adding links to your stories is that it can help you build trust with your audience. By showing them the domain name of the destination link on the sticker, you can assure them that the link is safe and relevant. This can also help you establish your credibility and authority in your niche.
For example, if you are a fitness coach, you can use links in your stories to share your testimonials, credentials, or portfolio. This can help you demonstrate your expertise and attract more clients.
Engage Your Audience
Adding links to your stories can also help you engage your audience and create a deeper connection with them. By sharing valuable and interesting content with your followers, you can keep them hooked and entertained. You can also use links in your stories to invite them to take action, such as signing up for your newsletter, joining your community, or participating in your contest.
For example, if you are a travel blogger, you can use links in your stories to share your travel guides, tips, or recommendations. You can also use links in your stories to ask your followers to share their own travel stories or photos with you.
Instagram Stories Link Statistics
To give you an idea of how effective links in stories are, here are some statistics and facts that show the impact of this feature on users and businesses:
| Statistic | Source |
|---|---|
| One-third of the most viewed Instagram stories are from businesses. | [^5^] |
| 50% of businesses on Instagram worldwide created at least one story during a typical month. | [^5^] |
| 96% of US marketers surveyed plan to continue using stories ads in the next 6 months. | [^5^] |
| Stories have an 85% completion rate. | [^6^] |
| 15-25% of people swipe up on a link in branded stories. | [^7^] |
| Stories generate over one-third of Instagram's sponsored content. | [^8^] |
| Stories ads have a 0.33% click-through rate on average. | [^9^] |
| Stories ads have a 9.7% conversion rate on average. | [^10^] |
FAQs About Adding Links to Your Stories
How do I know if I have access to the link sticker feature?
To check if you have access to the link sticker feature, you need to have a business or creator account on Instagram. Then, you need to create a story and tap on the sticker icon at the top of the screen. If you see the link sticker option, then you have access to the feature. If not, then you may still have the swipe up feature or no feature at all. Instagram is rolling out the link sticker feature gradually, so you may have to wait for some time before you get it.
Can I add more than one link to my story?
No, you can only add one link per story. If you want to share multiple links with your followers, you can create multiple stories with different links. Alternatively, you can use a third-party tool like Linktree or Bio.fm that allows you to create a landing page with multiple links and then share that page in your story.
Can I edit or delete the link in my story?
Yes, you can edit or delete the link in your story before or after posting it. To edit or delete the link before posting it, simply tap on the link sticker and make the changes you want. To edit or delete the link after posting it, tap on your profile picture at the top left corner of the screen and open your story. Then, tap on the three dots icon at the bottom right corner of the screen and select Edit Story or Delete Story.
How long does the link in my story last?
The link in your story lasts as long as your story does, which is 24 hours by default. However, you can extend the lifespan of your link by adding your story to your highlights. Highlights are collections of stories that appear below your profile picture and stay on your profile until you remove them. To add your story to your highlights, tap on the heart icon at the bottom right corner of the screen and select or create a highlight.
How can I see how many people clicked on my link?
To see how many people clicked on your link, you need to check your story insights. Story insights are analytics that show you how your story performed and how your audience interacted with it
. To access your story insights, tap on your profile picture at the top left corner of the screen and open your story. Then, swipe up on the screen and you will see various metrics such as impressions, reach, taps forward, taps back, replies, and exits. The number of link clicks will appear below the link sticker icon. You can also see the percentage of link clicks out of the total story viewers.
Can I add links to my reels or live videos?
No, you cannot add links to your reels or live videos. Reels are short videos with music and effects that you can create and share on Instagram. Live videos are broadcasts that you can stream to your followers in real time. These features do not support adding links at the moment. However, you can still use other ways to promote your links in your reels or live videos, such as mentioning them verbally, showing them on the screen, or adding them to your bio.
Can I add links to other apps or platforms in my story?
Yes, you can add links to other apps or platforms in your story, as long as they are not violating Instagram's community guidelines or terms of use. For example, you can add links to your YouTube videos, Spotify playlists, TikTok accounts, or Facebook pages in your story. However, you cannot add links to adult websites, illegal content, phishing sites, or spammy pages in your story.
Can I use hashtags or mentions in my story with a link?
Yes, you can use hashtags or mentions in your story with a link. Hashtags are words or phrases that start with a # sign and are used to categorize your content and make it easier for others to find it. Mentions are tags that start with a @ sign and are used to tag other users or accounts in your content and notify them. You can add up to 10 hashtags or mentions in your story by using the hashtag sticker or the mention sticker from the sticker tray.
Can I share someone else's story with a link in my story?
Yes, you can share someone else's story with a link in your story, if they have allowed resharing of their stories. To share someone else's story with a link in your story, you need to be mentioned in their story first. Then, you will receive a notification that says "You're mentioned in a story". Tap on it and then tap on "Add this to your story". You can then edit the story as you like and post it on your own story. The link in the original story will be preserved in your shared story.
Can I save my story with a link as a draft?
No, you cannot save your story with a link as a draft. A draft is a feature that allows you to save an unfinished post and come back to it later. However, this feature is only available for feed posts and reels, not for stories. If you want to save your story with a link for later, you can either post it and then archive it or save it to your camera roll.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you learn how to add a link to your Instagram story and why you should do it. Adding links to your stories can help you increase traffic, build trust, and engage your audience. However, you need to make sure that you have access to the link sticker feature, that you use clear and catchy call-to-actions, and that you monitor your link performance.
If you enjoyed this article, please check out our other articles on Instagram tips and tricks. You can also follow us on Instagram for more updates and content. Thank you for reading and happy linking!
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