How to Put Links in Instagram Stories

Driving traffic from Instagram used to be a challenge, but the link sticker in Stories changed everything. Now, any account, regardless of follower count, can send their audience directly to a blog post, product page, or signup form with a single tap. This article is your complete guide to using the Instagram Story link sticker, from the basic steps to advanced strategies that get more clicks.

Why Links in Instagram Stories Are a Game-Changer

For years, the only clickable link on most Instagram profiles was the single "link in bio." While effective, it forced users to navigate away from your content, go to your profile, and then find the link. This multi-step process created friction, and every extra step causes a drop-off in user action. It was a clunky workaround for a platform not originally built to send traffic outward.

The introduction of clickable links directly within Stories removes that friction almost entirely. Think about what this means for your brand or business:

• Instant Conversions: Showcasing a new product? A user can see it in your Story and tap to go directly to the product page. There's no need to hope they remember your brand name and search for it later. The path from discovery to purchase is immediate.
• Increased Blog Traffic: Tease a new article with a compelling quote or graphic and link directly to the full post. You can capture your audience's interest when it's highest and instantly convert that interest into a page view.
• Simplified Lead Generation: Want to grow your email list or get signups for a webinar? You can pitch your offer in a quick video Story and add a link sticker that takes users straight to the subscription page.
• Cross-Platform Promotion: Easily direct your Instagram followers to your new YouTube video, podcast episode, or TikTok profile, helping you grow your audience on other channels.

Essentially, the link sticker transforms your ephemeral, engaging Story content into a powerful traffic-driving tool. It bridges the gap between building an audience on Instagram and achieving your specific business goals, whether that's sales, content consumption, or lead acquisition.

From 'Swipe Up' to Link Sticker: A Welcome Update for Everyone

If you've been on Instagram for a while, you probably remember the coveted "Swipe Up" feature. It was the original way to add links to Stories, but it was notoriously exclusive. To get it, you needed to have a business or creator account with over 10,000 followers or be a verified public figure.

This limitation created a major hurdle for smaller creators, businesses, and personal brands just starting. You had to work tirelessly to reach the 10k follower milestone before you could unlock one of the platform's most valuable marketing features. It was a classic "chicken and egg" problem: you need to drive traffic to grow, but you couldn't drive traffic effectively until you were already big.

In 2021, Instagram replaced the Swipe Up feature with the Link Sticker. This wasn't just a cosmetic change, it was a fundamental shift that democratized the feature for everyone. Now, any Instagram user can add a clickable link to their Stories. Whether you have 10 followers or 10 million, the ability to direct your audience off-platform is now in your hands. This update leveled the playing field, empowering creators of all sizes to engage their audience and achieve their goals.

How to Add a Link to Your Instagram Story (Step-by-Step)

Ready to start driving traffic? Adding a link sticker is simple and takes less than a minute. Here’s a breakdown of the exact steps to follow.

Step 1: Open the Instagram Story Creator

First things first. Open the Instagram app and get into Story mode. You can do this in two ways:

• Swipe right from your main feed.
• Tap the plus icon (+) at the top of the screen and select "Story."

Step 2: Create Your Story Content

Next, create the background for your link sticker. This can be anything you'd normally put in a Story. You can:

• Take a new photo or record a video.
• Upload an existing photo or video from your phone's camera roll.
• Select the "Create" mode to make a text-based Story with a solid or gradient background.

Remember, your visual content should relate to where the link is sending people. If you’re linking to a new product, show it off. If it's a new blog post, use a captivating image or pull-quote graphic.

Step 3: Access the Sticker Tray

Once your photo or video is on the screen, look at the row of icons at the top. Tap the sticker icon - it looks like a square, peeling smiley face. This will open up Instagram’s full sticker library, which includes familiar options like polls, quizzes, location tags, and GIFs.

Step 4: Select and Configure the Link Sticker

In the sticker tray, find the sticker labeled "Link." It usually appears near the top. Tap on it, and a new window will pop up asking for two pieces of information:

1. URL: This is where you paste the web address you want to send people to. Double-check to make sure it's correct! A broken link is a missed opportunity.
2. Sticker text (optional): This field lets you customize what the sticker says. Instead of just displaying a messy URL, you can write a clear call-to-action like "Shop Now" or "Read the Full Article." Always customize this text.

Once you’ve entered the URL and custom text, tap "Done."

Step 5: Place and Style Your Sticker

Your newly created link sticker will appear on your Story canvas. You now have complete control over its placement and appearance:

• Move it: Drag the sticker anywhere you want on the screen.
• Resize it: Pinch to make it larger or smaller. Make sure it's big enough to be easily tappable.
• Rotate it: Use two fingers to rotate the sticker to any angle.
• Change the color: Tap the sticker to cycle through different color options (blue, white, black) to find one that stands out against your background.

Step 6: Share Your Story

Once you’re happy with the placement, add any other GIFs, text, or effects you want. Then, tap the "Your Story" button at the bottom left to publish it. Anyone who views your Story will now see your clickable link sticker and can tap it to visit your chosen website.

Best Practices for Getting More Clicks on Your Story Links

Simply adding a link sticker is easy, but getting your followers to actually tap on it requires a little strategy. Here are some pro tips to maximize your click-through rate.

1. Make the Link Impossible to Miss

Don't let your link blend into the background. Your audience is watching Stories quickly, and you need to grab their attention. Use visual cues to literally point viewers to the sticker:

• Use GIFs: Search for "tap here," "click here," or "arrow" in the GIF search to find animated elements that draw the eye toward the sticker.
• Add Your Own Arrows or Drawings: Use Instagram’s built-in drawing tool to circle the sticker or draw arrows pointing to it.
• Be Explicit with Text: Sometimes, the most direct approach is best. Add text that says "Tap the link to learn more!"

2. Craft a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA)

The customizable "sticker text" is your most valuable real estate. Generic text like "Click Here" or pasting the bare URL is a wasted opportunity. Be specific and create a sense of urgency or value. Good CTAs tell your audience exactly what to do and what benefit they'll receive.

CTA Examples:

• For E-commerce: "Shop the Collection," "Grab Your Discount," "View My Look"
• For Bloggers/Content Creators: "Read the Full Post," "Watch the Tutorial," "Download the Free Guide"
• For Service Providers: "Book Your Free Consultation," "Join the Waitlist," "Learn More Here"

3. Keep the Content Relevant to the Link

Make sure there’s a seamless connection between what’s happening in your Story and where the link sends them. If you’re talking about your new line of hats, the link should go directly to the hat category page on your site, not your homepage. If you're teasing five productivity tips, the link should lead to the blog post that contains them. A mismatch between the content and the landing page confuses users and often leads them to abandon the page immediately.

4. Talk About the Link

Don't just post a static image with a sticker. Use video to speak directly to your audience. Tell them what the link is and why they should click it. A personal invitation builds trust and context.

For example: "Hey everyone, I just published a new blog post sharing my top five travel hacks for saving money. I've put the direct link right here - go check it out and let me know what you think!"

5. Tease the Value

Give your audience a small taste of what they'll get when they click. If you're linking to a recipe, show a stunning final shot of the dish. If you're linking to a case study, share one mind-blowing statistic. This technique, often called an "open loop," piques curiosity and makes people want to tap the link to get the full story.

6. Track Your Performance

After you post your Story, don't forget to check your analytics. In your Story insights, you can see metrics like reach, impressions, and - most importantly - "Link Taps." Pay close attention to this number. It tells you exactly how many people clicked your sticker. By monitoring link taps on different types of Stories and CTAs, you can figure out what resonates most with your audience and refine your approach over time.

Final Thoughts

The Instagram link sticker is one of the most powerful tools available for creators and businesses looking to turn their social media audience into website traffic, customers, and subscribers. By consistently sharing valuable links alongside compelling content and clear calls-to-action, you can transform your Stories from a passive brand-building tool into an active driver of business results.

Of course, a great linking strategy starts with a great content plan. Planning what content and links you’ll share ahead of time is just as important as knowing how to add the sticker itself. We built the visual calendar in Postbase for exactly this reason. It allows us to see our entire content strategy at a glance, plan where Story links for blog posts or product launches will go, and schedule posts reliably. When your Story links are part of a thoughtful content plan, they feel intentional and valuable, leading to more of those rewarding taps from your audience.