Do all Instagram users have the ability to add a link to their stories?

As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, only users with a Business or Creator account who have over 10,000 followers, or have a verified badge, can add a link to their Instagram story. Personal accounts or those with fewer followers do not have this capability.

How can viewers access the link I've added to my Instagram story?

When you add a link to your Instagram story, viewers can access it by swiping up on your story. It's a good practice to include a call-to-action, like "Swipe Up," so viewers know a link is available.

Can I add multiple links to a single Instagram story?

No, you can only add one link to each Instagram story. However, you can post multiple stories with different links if you have various pages or resources you want to direct your followers to.

How to Add Link to Instagram Story?

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Instagram Stories are an excellent tool for driving engagement and sharing dynamic content with your audience. One key feature of Instagram Stories is the ability to add links, allowing you to direct viewers to your website, blog, or other online platforms. However, understanding how to add a link to an Instagram story isn’t always straightforward. In this guide, we’ll break down the process, detailing how you can add a link to an Instagram story effectively.

The Benefits of Adding a Link to Your Instagram Story

Driving Traffic to Your Website

When you add link to your Instagram story, it opens up new possibilities for directing traffic to your website or blog. You can use this feature to promote your latest blog post, showcase your products, or even share a link to a signup page for your newsletter.

Enhancing Your Audience’s Experience

To add link to your Instagram story can also improve your audience’s experience by making it easier for them to access relevant content. For instance, if you’re talking about a particular product or service in your story, you can add a link to where viewers can learn more or make a purchase.

Requirements to Add Link to Instagram Story

Before you can add link to your Instagram story, there are certain prerequisites to meet:

Have a Business or Creator Account

To add a link to your Instagram story, you need either a Business or a Creator account. If you have a Personal account, you can switch to a Business or Creator account from your account settings.

Reach a Follower Threshold

As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, to add link to your Instagram story, your account must have at least 10,000 followers or a verified badge. Instagram implemented this requirement to maintain quality control over outbound links.

Step-By-Step Guide to Add Link to Instagram Story

Assuming you meet the prerequisites, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to add link to your Instagram story:

Start Creating a Story

First, tap the camera icon on the top left corner of your Instagram home screen, or swipe right from anywhere in your feed. This will take you to the story creation screen where you can take a new photo or video, or select one from your gallery.

Tap the Link Icon

Once you’ve chosen or created your content for your story, you’ll see a chain link icon at the top of your screen. Tap on this icon to add link to your Instagram story.

Enter the URL

After tapping the chain link icon, you’ll see a text field where you can enter or paste the URL you want to link to your story. Ensure to input the entire URL, including the “http://” or “https://” at the beginning.

Preview the Link

After you’ve entered the URL, tap “Preview Link” to ensure it directs to the correct webpage. This step is important for confirming the accuracy of the URL before your viewers see it.

Add the Link to Your Story

Once you’ve confirmed the URL is correct, tap “Done” in the top right corner to add the link to your story. You’ll then be brought back to the story editing screen, where you can add text, stickers, and other decorations to your story before sharing it.

Publish Your Story

Finally, when you’re ready to publish, tap “Your Story” in the bottom left corner. Your story will now be live with a clickable link. Viewers can access the link by swiping up on your story.

Encouraging Your Followers to Swipe Up

Simply adding a link to your story isn’t enough to ensure viewers will click on it. Here are some strategies to encourage your followers to swipe up:

Use Clear Calls-To-Action

When you add a link to your story, use clear, compelling calls-to-action (CTAs) to encourage your followers to swipe up. For example, you could use text or a sticker that says “Swipe Up for More” or “Swipe Up to Shop Now”.

Tease the Content Behind the Link

Another strategy to motivate followers to click your link is by teasing the content behind it. For example, you could give a sneak peek of a blog post, a new product, or an exciting piece of news that viewers can only fully access by clicking the link.