How to Add an Affiliate Link to Instagram

Ready to turn your Instagram influence into a real source of income? Adding affiliate links is one of the most direct ways to do it, but knowing exactly where to put them - and how - makes all the difference. This guide will walk you through every available option for placing your affiliate links on Instagram and share simple strategies for creating content that actually gets people to click.

First, a Quick Refresher: What's an Affiliate Link?

Before jumping into the "how," let's be clear on the "what." An affiliate link is a unique URL given to you by a company or brand when you join their affiliate program. This special link contains a tracking ID that’s all yours. When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, that ID tells the company, "Hey, this sale came from them!" and you earn a commission. It’s a straightforward way to earn money by recommending products you already use and love.

Where to Add Your Affiliate Links on Instagram (Step-by-Step)

Unlike a blog post where you can add links anywhere, Instagram is more specific about where you can place a clickable link. But don't worry, you have more options than you think. Let's break down each one.

1. The Classic Move: Your Instagram Bio Link

This is affiliate marketing 101 on Instagram. Your bio is the most valuable piece of real estate on your profile because it's where you can place a permanent, clickable link that everyone can see. It's the first place new followers look to learn more about you.

How to Add a Link to Your Instagram Bio:

• Go to your Instagram profile.
• Tap the "Edit Profile" button.
• Find the "Links" field. You can add more than one link here now.
• Paste your primary affiliate link into the "URL" field. You can also add a title to describe the link, like "Shop My Favorite Skincare."
• Tap "Done" (or the checkmark) to save.

Pro-Tip: Use a "Link in Bio" Tool.

What if you have multiple affiliate products you want to promote? You can't cram them all in one spot. This is where tools like Linktree, Beacons, or Later's Linkin.bio come in. These services let you create a single landing page that houses all your important links - your blog, your YouTube channel, and of course, a list of your top affiliate products. You just put your beautiful, organized landing page link in your bio, solving the one-link problem for good.

This strategy keeps your bio clean and gives your followers an easy-to-navigate hub for everything you recommend.

2. The Modern Standard: Instagram Stories Using the "Link Sticker"

Instagram Stories are a powerhouse for affiliate marketing. They are immediate, authentic, and create a sense of urgency since they disappear after 24 hours. Gone are the days when you needed 10,000 followers to use this feature, the "Link Sticker" is now available to everyone!

Stories let you show the product in action. Are you a fitness creator? Show a clip of yourself using a specific protein powder. A beauty influencer? Create a quick video of your skincare routine, featuring the moisturizer you're promoting. This visual proof is incredibly effective.

How to Add a Link Sticker to Your Story:

1. Create a Story by taking a photo, video, or uploading from your camera roll.
2. Tap the sticker icon (the smiley face square) at the top of the screen.
3. Select the "LINK" sticker from the options.
4. Paste your affiliate link into the URL field.
5. You can also customize the sticker text. Instead of leaving the raw URL, change it to a clear call-to-action like "Get 20% Off Here" or "Shop This Look."
6. Place the sticker anywhere on your Story. Make it big and obvious!
7. Publish your Story.

To really make it work, add a verbal call-to-action in your video ("Tap the link here!") or use GIFs and text to point directly at the sticker. Don't assume people will find it on their own.

3. The Personal Touch: Sending Links via Direct Messages (DMs)

Never underestimate the power of a one-on-one conversation. DMs are perfect for sharing affiliate links because the exchange is personal and the follower has already shown high interest. When someone sends you a message asking, "Where did you get that jacket?" or "What camera do you use?", that's a golden opportunity.

Instead of just dropping a link, offer some value. You could say, "Here's the link to the camera I use! I love it for vlogging because the autofocus is amazing. Happy to answer any other questions you have about it!"

Strategies for Sparking DM Conversations:

• Use In-Content CTAs: In your Reel or post caption, add a line like, “DM me ‘SETUP’ and I’ll send you the links to my desk essentials.”
• Story Polls and Question Stickers: Ask a question like, "Curious about my morning coffee routine?" then follow up in the DMs of everyone who interacts with a personal message and an affiliate link to your favorite beans or coffee maker.

Instagram also has a "Quick Replies" feature for business accounts. You can save a templated response with your link that you can send in two taps, saving you tons of time.

4. The Long-Term Play: Adding Affiliate Stories to Your Highlights

Instagram Highlights are curated collections of your old Stories that live permanently on your profile, right below your bio. This is an awesome way to give your affiliate-linked Stories a longer lifespan than just 24 hours.

Create Highlights for different categories of products. For example:

• A food blogger could have highlights for "Kitchen Tools," "Pantry Staples," and "Cookbooks."
• A tech creator could have highlights like "My A/V Gear," "Desk Setup," and "Editing Software."

Now, whenever you post a Story with an affiliate link, you can save it to the relevant Highlight. This creates an evergreen library of your recommendations that new followers can browse anytime.

5. The Broadcasters' Advantage: Instagram Broadcast Channels

If you've created a Broadcast Channel, you have a direct line to your most engaged followers. This is a fantastic place to share time-sensitive deals and exclusive promotions using your affiliate links.

Because these followers have opted in to receive more content from you, they are generally more receptive to recommendations. Frame your affiliate links as special tips you're sharing with your "inner circle." For example, you could send a message like, "Exclusive news for this channel! My favorite running shoes are 30% off for the next 48 hours. Grab a pair at this link before the sale ends."

Creating Content That Drives Clicks

Placing a link is only half the battle. You have to create content that builds trust and earns that click. Just posting a product photo with a link is rarely enough. People follow you for your perspective, not to see another ad.

1. Be The First Person to Use It

The best affiliate content is rooted in your own experience. People trust reviews from users, not salespeople. Create content that demonstrates your genuine relationship with the product.

• Tutorials: Show people how to use the product to get the same results you did.
• Real Reviews: Talk about the pros and the cons. Honesty builds immense trust. Nobody believes a product is 100% perfect.
• Behind-the-Scenes: Show the product as a natural part of your day. It reads as an authentic endorsement, not a forced placement.

2. Always Disclose Your Links

This isn't just a suggestion, it’s a requirement from the FTC and a cornerstone of building trust with your audience. You need to clearly and conspicuously state that you earn a commission if someone purchases through your link.

It doesn’t need to feel weird or salesy. Simple and direct is best:

• Use hashtags like #ad, #sponsored, or #affiliatelink.
• Add a simple phrase like "(This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!)" in your description.
• On video, say it out loud! Mentioning it casually makes it feel natural.

Your followers will appreciate your transparency. It shows you respect them enough to be honest about how you're monetizing your work.

3. Think Beyond the Feed Post

While an in-feed carousel post or image can work, video is often far more compelling for affiliate marketing. Instagram Reels and Stories are where you can truly bring a product to life.

Create a Reel comparing two products. Film a "Get Ready With Me" Story featuring a new cosmetic. Do a "day in the life" that features a kitchen gadget you love. Video shows a product's function and value far better than a static image ever could.

Final Thoughts

Adding an affiliate link to Instagram is mechanically simple - you can place it in your bio, Stories, DMs, and Highlights. But real success comes from building trust with your audience through authentic, valuable content that solves their problems and makes them genuinely want to check out your recommendation.

Of course, planning all of this amazing affiliate content across Reels, Stories, and your feed can quickly start to feel overwhelming. That is precisely why we created Postbase. I personally use our visual calendar to plot my affiliate posts alongside my regular content to make sure my feed maintains a healthy balance. Scheduling my content ahead of time frees me up to spend my time where it counts most - engaging with my community and in my DMs.