How Links In Instagram Stories Work

Let’s admit it – we’re all Instagram users. But, while it’s really not necessary to have a personal Instagram account, it’s definitely worth having a business account for many reasons which you’ve probably heard before, but we’ll go over them again if you’re new to the app and new to how Instagram stories work.

Instagram stories are an especially useful feature that the app has for everyone, however, there’s a particular feature that was introduced that can help your business account even further: Instagram story links and the “swipe up” feature. We’ll continue to outline everything you need to know below.

What Is An Instagram Story & Why Do Businesses Use Them?

In 2016, Instagram stories were introduced. They’ve come a long way since then and have evolved more to users’ needs and requests like being able to save stories as highlights, sharing stories with others, having followers being able to react or reply to them, add emojis and a sticker icon, and most importantly, for a business profile in particular, being able to add links to Instagram stories. You can also share as much as you want throughout the day in photo or video format which, for businesses, has many perks. Other perks for those with a business profile include:

• Being able to schedule Instagram posts in advance
• Managing post insights/customer engagement
• Improve brand visibility
• Generate more leads/reach more people
• Receive more feedback from current and new customers
• Being able to put a face behind your brand and connect to people on a more personal level
• Drive traffic to your website
• Share/announce new products and services and their release dates

Using Instagram Stories To Share Links

When Instagram first introduced stories links, the feature was limited to those with a verified account or those with a certain amount of followers. That meant that even a business profile wouldn’t be able to share links unless they had one of those two things.

But, as mentioned above, certain Instagram features have evolved and late last year, they finally announced what so many had been waiting for: anyone, regardless of their account size, was now able to add a link to an Instagram story.

How To Add A Link To An Instagram Story

Adding a link to an Instagram story is very easy, so if you’re just learning, don’t worry.

1. To create an Instagram story in the first place, click the + sign located on your profile picture.
2. Next, you can upload a photo or video pre-recorded in your album, or take a new photo or video.
3. Now, you’ll be able to add what’s called a link sticker. Instagram link stickers are located at the top navigation bar. Simply click it and copy and paste your desired link. You can place the link sticker anywhere you want on your story and tap on it yourself to change the colour and font type.
4. When your story is posted, the link will direct people to your website, product or services.

Include A Call To Action

While a link sticker may be effective on its own, you should still add a call to action (CTA) to make it even more noticeable. CTAs are always a great way to increase engagement and get customers to your desired landing page. Plus, a CTA can help further explain where the link will take them rather than just link sharing and expecting them to know what product or service it will take them too.

What Is The Swipe Up Feature?

Any Instagram account can add a link sticker to their story now, but not all users can use the swipe up feature; a feature that can actually lead to more clicks and conversions. The Instagram swipe up feature is limited to verified accounts, business profiles, or those with 10,000+ followers. It’s just as easy to add a swipe up link as it is a link sticker.

1. To create an Instagram story, click the + sign located on your profile picture.
2. Next, you can upload a photo or video pre-recorded in your album, or take a new photo or video.
3. Click the link icon located on the top navigation bar, add a link you desire, and then press done. Under the box where you’ve pasted the URL, it should say “Viewers will be able to swipe up to visit this website.”
4. Add a clear call-to-action that is appealing. You can use a sticker tool that says “swipe up” in various fonts and colours that will grab people’s attention. People also love GIFs that are funny so definitely don’t skimp out on those! Or, use stickers that align with your brand’s aesthetic (more on aesthetics below).

Can You Add Multiple Links?

You cannot add multiple links to an Instagram story, however, you can add multiple links to various sites and social media through Linktree under your Instagram bio section. This is especially helpful for people who create various types of content such as blogs, videos, who have multiple partnerships with other brands, or who have their own stores. When a user/follower clicks your Linktree link in your Instagram bio, they’ll be directed to all of these options; another great way to drive traffic to your website or new products.

Maintaining A Certain Aesthetic On Instagram

Whether you’re posting photos on your Instagram feed or in your stories, you may be wondering if it’s beneficial to maintain a certain aesthetic for your followers. This type of unique and creative planning does actually have benefits, even when it comes to Instagram stories and link stickers! For example, if you opt for an aesthetic based on neutral tones, you won’t want to add a link that is bright and bubbly.

There are many reasons why people/brands choose to maintain a certain aesthetic on their social media channels:

• It helps them establish their brand – followers get a sense of who you are and what you sell. It can also help with making their logo more easily recognizable, especially in public spaces.
• It can help attract a target audience – different audiences will prefer different colours, vibes, and aesthetics over others. This can also set the mood and encourage them to buy.
• It will make it easier to plan out future posts, videos or ads – more time-consuming tasks have now been cut in half because they’ll know exactly how to edit their media.
• It’s more visually appealing for people – rather than being distracted by a variety of colours, they’ll know what to expect and what to look at right away; another factor in encouraging them to buy.

Need Help With Adding A Link To Your Instagram Stories?

Are you struggling with creating engaging Instagram stories, staying on-brand with your posts, or struggling to find the time to even run your Instagram account in the first place?

This is where a professional social media marketing company can come into play, like Barker Social. Not only can we regularly create and upload content on your Instagram feed and Instagram story, but we can help you further understand your audience, keep track of stats, and ensure your content is of the highest quality possible. We also specialize in creating personalized Instagram stickers and GIFs for your brand! Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.