How to Add a Link to Instagram Story

Instagram replaced the swipe-up feature with a new clickable Link sticker. With this, you still can direct followers elsewhere from your story. But, how to add a link to Instagram story?

You can just create your story as usual, tap the Link sticker icon, and enter the URL you want to share. Easy, right? Sure. But there’s more to this Instagram Link feature you need to know.

This guide will show you how to put a link to your stories to boost engagement and drive traffic. Plus, you’ll learn how to make your link sticker stand out and get the most out of it with some tips.

What is an Instagram Link Sticker?

Instagram Link Stickers are tappable elements that let you add external URLs to your Stories and open the destination right inside Instagram’s built‑in browser.

If they tap through, they can close the webview and return to the Story right away if they want. Or they can use the menu to open the page in their default browser, like Safari or Chrome.

Don’t worry, the sticker shows a domain or custom label, so your audience knows what’s coming.

With these stickers, your followers can easily view external content without leaving the app. This way, sharing blog posts, portfolio pages, or videos outside Instagram is simple and direct.

Whether you’re promoting new merch or directing followers to your Gank’s profile for donations as a streamer or cosplayer, this feature is simple and keeps your audience engaged within the app.

But did you know that Instagram Link Stickers is a feature that replaces the Swipe Up feature, which was discontinued in 2021?

The idea behind Link Stickers is the same: they allow users to direct their followers to external content directly through their Stories.

But, unlike the Swipe Up feature, which was limited to accounts with over 10,000 followers or verified accounts, Link Stickers are now accessible to all users, regardless of their follower count.

Instagram stated: ‘We’ve heard from the rest of our community that they also want to share things that matter with their friends and family.‘

So, everyone can share external links easily, giving smaller creators a real shot at boosting engagement and driving traffic.

Plus, with Link Stickers, you can customize the sticker’s look to match your brand. You can also see how people are engaging with those links through Instagram’s insights.

Related:

• Instagram Story Ideas
• What is Instagram Highlights

How to Add a Link to Instagram Story

To add a link to your Instagram story, you can follow these steps:

1. On the homepage, tap the Plus icon or pick Your Story to start making a new story on Instagram.
2. Make your story by taking a photo or video, or upload one from your gallery.
3. When your content’s ready, tap the sticker icon at the top of the screen.
4. Choose the “Link” sticker from the options.
5. Type in the website you want to share.
6. Double-check your work for spelling mistakes.
7. Share your story with your followers or close friends as usual.

Related: How to Add Music to Instagram Story

Making Your Link Stickers Stand Out

You’re fine using your plain URL when adding a link to an Instagram story. But, you can also customize it to make it more appealing and increase the click-through rate.

1. Replace plain URLs. After pasting your link, tap “Customize sticker text” to swap out the raw domain with a personal message like “Try this recipe” or “Join my membership.” This results in more taps.
2. Set a bold color. After adding the sticker, tap on it to switch up Instagram’s default options, like vibrant blue, sleek black, colorful gradients, or transparency.
3. Adjust the sticker’s size. Just pinch it with two fingers to make it bigger or smaller until the text is easy to read on your phone. Go for a size that stands out but doesn’t take over your whole vibe.
4. Position the sticker right. Drag it to a spot like the center or lower third of the screen. Avoid putting it near the top, where your username shows up, or at the bottom where the reply bar is.
5. Create a background layer. Add a text sticker containing blank spaces. Enable the background to form a colored block, slightly larger than your link sticker. Then layer the link on top.
6. Overlay your CTA text. Add an Instagram font sticker. Place it over your link sticker to hide it. When users tap, they’ll still access the link, just in a more creative way.

Related: The Best Instagram Story Size

Reasons to Add a Link to Your Stories

You already know how to add a link to an Instagram story. But why would you want to do that?

1. Drive Traffic to Your Latest Content

Adding a link to your Instagram Stories instantly pulls viewers to your newest videos or articles. For a streamer, this means promoting content like stream highlights, VODs, or new YouTube uploads.

For example, when streaming live, Shroud shares a “Deadlock” game image on his Story. He then adds a “Live on Twitch” sticker that takes viewers straight to his stream, which also airs on YouTube.

This way, instead of just saying “I’m live,” the story post gives context and a link, making it easy for followers to join. This simple step increases the chance they’ll tune in, boosting his views.

2. Promote Your Merchs

Most content creators promote their merch via Instagram bio links. This is great but this requires extra steps for viewers.

Using link stickers in stories offers a faster shortcut directly to your merch page, avoiding profile visits. This aligns with how over 130 million Instagram users engage with shopping features.

3. Build a Closer Community

Instagram DMs are great for quick chats but can get cluttered and feel cold. Link stickers help bring top followers into a more personal space for deeper connection.

When you need quick feedback on a new project or want to do a Q&A with a select group, drop a link sticker that takes them straight to a private chat on WhatsApp or Telegram.

4. Monetize Your Content Elsewhere

When you create content on a platform like Gank, you need to get your Instagram followers to visit your page. Instagram link sticker makes it easy. One tap turns admiration into action.

For example, @risa_chh shares a great Hinata cosplay photo that grabs attention. Then, she uses a custom “HINATAMORE” sticker on her Instagram Story, guiding fans to a page with exclusive photos.

Related: How to Make Money on Instagram

5. Cross-Promote Your Other Social Channels

You can use the link sticker in your Instagram Story to direct followers to other social channels sharing your main content.

If you post gameplay videos on YouTube, follow TimTheTatMan’s lead by using a sticker: “Reckless Addiction is back.” Fans will be curious and tap the link, taking them to a YouTube playlist.

6. Help You with Collaborations

When working with brands or creators, results matter. Adding an Instagram Story link offers trackable data.

The link sticker is more than a button. It’s an analytics tool showing audience actions. Instagram shows how many tapped your link, indicating to brands how many viewers visited their website.

Related: How to Collab Post on Instagram

Tips for Using Instagram Link Stickers

Here are some tips for using Instagram stickers effectively as a content creator:

• Use branded short links to boost trust with your audience and get real-time stats on clicks to your merch.
• Grab attention instantly with a punchy one-liner that shows off what’s in it for them. Make it clear, direct, and irresistible like “We’re live now!”
• Drop your link sticker Insta stories when your audience is most active. That’s how you get more eyes, more clicks, and more connection.
• Make sure your stickers are thumb-friendly on mobile. Keep them big enough so viewers can tap easily while scrolling through your stories.
• Add a GIF or a bold sticker over your link to grab attention. Animate arrows or flash text to make it stand out and drive more clicks in your stories.
• Use the cutout sticker to create a personalized gesture pointing at your link. It adds a human touch and makes your call-to-action feel more inviting.
• Drop a story cliffhanger and make the link the only way to see the ending. Tease something exciting or exclusive, then invite followers to click and unlock the full story.
• Play reverse psychology: say “Please don’t click” and watch curiosity take over. It’s a fun way to make followers want to see what’s behind the link.
• Pair the link sticker with an “Add Yours” prompt to encourage followers to share their stories and tips. Then, direct them to your external content.
• Create a quick Reel showing off your product and share it to your story with the link at the most exciting moment.

Adding Link to Instagram Story: A Wrap Up

Adding links in Stories is simple: create your Story, tap the sticker icon, choose Link, and paste the URL to send people to your online shop or any web page, like Gank profile.

You can make it stand out even more by using clear CTA text, strong contrast, and placing it away from Instagram’s UI. So taps don’t get lost.

More traffic to your linked pages means more money. On Gank, this could mean more fans donate, you sell more merchandise, and more people sign up for your exclusive membership content.

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FAQ About How to Add a Link to Instagram Story