How To Add Link To Instagram Story? A Comprehensive Step-By-Step Guide

Today’s topic: How to add link to Instagram story?

In today’s digital world, Instagram Stories have become a great way for brands, influencers, and creators to connect with their audience and drive traffic to external content. 

The ability to click links within Instagram Stories gives them all the value and functionality, allowing users to send their followers to websites, blog posts, product pages, or any other digital content included in a link. 

The following article is a guide on how to add links to Instagram Story and what best practices to follow to have the most engagement and reach their marketing objectives.

Stay tuned. 

What Is The Story Link Feature On Instagram?

The Story link sticker feature on Instagram allows active users to directly link to a URL in their stories, which will disappear after 24 hours unless saved to highlights. 

Before 2021, creating links in Instagram Stories was reserved for verified accounts or accounts that had over 10,000 followers, in conjunction with the swipe-up link feature. 

Instagram opened the link sticker to everyone in 2021, regardless of followers or even verification status, and small businesses, content creators, and individual users alike began using Stories to promote products and services.

Users should consider the link sticker valuable because there are no clickable hyperlinks in post captions or post comments, making the direct traffic options limited. 

Once you have learned to add links to Instagram stories, you will have the capacity to bypass that traffic limitation and create a direct line to what you want users to see or do, while improving the user experience and conversion rates.

How To Add Link To Instagram Story? A Step-By-Step Guide:

Adding links to a story on Instagram is simple. But if you want it to go well, you’ll need to pay attention to the details. Here’s a pretty simple guide to tackle it:

1. Open Instagram And Create A Story:

On your iOS or Android device, open Instagram and log in to your account. In the home screen, tap the profile picture at the top left or swipe right to open the Story camera. Or click on the “+” symbol at the top-right corner and choose “Story”. 

From here, you can take a new media, or select something that is already in your camera roll by swiping up or clicking the gallery icon.

2. Open The Sticker Tray:

After you have your Story content ready, tap on the sticker symbol. This square with a smiley face is located in the top-right corner of your screen. This will open the sticker tray, with all the different interactive options there.

3. Choose The Link Sticker:


Scroll through all the stickers, and tap the sticker that says “Link”, which is the one with the chain-link symbol. An additional screen will pop up asking you to type in the URL. 

4. Type And Customize:

The URL
Type (or paste) the URL you feel like sharing. Double-check that you have entered the URL correctly. Instagram gives you the option to personalize the sticker texts to make the sticker engaging. 

For instance, rather than saying the full URL, you could specify a call-to-action (CTA), such as “Shop Now,” “Read More,” or “Limited Offer.” Click “Done” when you have finished customizing.

5. Position And Style The Sticker:

You can drag the link sticker to place it where you want in your IG Story. Just ensure it’s not too close to the sides – viewers can sometimes skip things if they get too close. 

Click on the sticker to toggle through various sticker styles, such as different fonts and color combinations, to fit your brand. You can also scale (smaller/bigger) with your fingers by pinching or pulling at the sticker.

6. Preview And Publish:

Before you post, you should tap the “See Preview” option to ensure that the link goes to the appropriate destination. Once you are satisfied, tap “Your Story” to post to your followers, or “Close Friends” to post to a discrete audience. 

So, if you run multiple accounts, make sure you are posting to the appropriate account. By following these steps, you can successfully implement how to add links to Instagram Story, creating a smooth experience for your audience.

How To Add Link To Instagram Story? Best Practices For Maximizing Engagement

Simply knowing how to add a link to Instagram Story is not enough; strategic implementation is key to driving traffic and engagement. Consider the following best practices:

1. Use Compelling CTAs: 

Encourage action with clear, action-oriented phrases such as “Tap Here,” “Discover Now,” or “Exclusive Deal.” A strong CTA motivates followers to engage with your link.

2. Ensure Link Relevance: 

The linked content should align with the Story’s context. For instance, if promoting a blog post, link directly to the article rather than a generic homepage to maintain trust and reduce bounce rates.

3. Enhance Visual Appeal: 

Use engaging visuals, such as high-quality images or videos, and incorporate stickers, GIFs, or text overlays to draw attention to the link. Highlight the sticker with arrows or contrasting colors for visibility.

4. Create Urgency: 

Leverage the 24-hour lifespan of Stories by using time-sensitive language like “Limited Time Only” or “Offer Ends Soon” to prompt immediate action.

5. Track Performance: 

Utilize Instagram Insights to monitor link taps and assess engagement. Experiment with different placements, CTAs, or designs to optimize results.

6. Incorporate Interactive Elements: 

Combine link stickers with polls, quizzes, or emoji sliders to boost engagement. For example, a poll asking “Which product do you love?” can precede a link to a shop page.

Why Add Links To Instagram Stories?

Incorporating links into Instagram Stories offers several benefits for businesses and creators. It drives traffic to external platforms, such as e-commerce sites, blogs, or event registration pages, facilitating conversions. 

Also, it enhances audience engagement by providing instant access to relevant content, reducing friction compared to navigating bio links. 

Additionally, Stories’ prominent placement at the top of the Instagram feed ensures high visibility, making them an ideal channel for time-sensitive promotions. For businesses, the link sticker can streamline sales funnels. 

For instance, a retailer showcasing a new product can link directly to the product page, simplifying the purchase process. Similarly, bloggers can drive organic traffic to their latest posts, while event organizers can direct followers to RSVP forms.

Know How To Add Link To Instagram Story:

Mastering how to add links to Instagram Stories is a critical skill for leveraging Instagram’s marketing potential. By following the outlined steps and adopting best practices, users can create engaging, actionable Stories that drive traffic and foster audience interaction. 

The link sticker’s accessibility to all accounts democratizes this feature, empowering everyone from small businesses to individual creators to achieve their goals. 

Regularly analyze performance metrics and experiment with creative strategies to refine your approach, ensuring your Instagram Stories remain a dynamic and effective component of your digital marketing strategy.