How to Share a Link on Instagram

Trying to share a link on Instagram can feel like you’re trying to solve a puzzle with a missing piece. Unlike other platforms where you can drop a URL into any post, Instagram plays by its own rules, and getting your audience to your website, blog, or product page requires a specific strategy. This guide breaks down every effective method for sharing links, from the tried-and-true classics to the latest features and creative workarounds you can use today.

First, Why Can’t You Just Add Links to Instagram Captions?

Before we get into the "how," it's helpful to understand the "why." Instagram's design prioritizes a seamless, visual-first experience that keeps users within the app. By limiting clickable links in feed post captions, the platform encourages users to keep scrolling and engaging with content without navigating away. While this strategy helps Instagram, it creates a challenge for creators and brands who want to drive traffic to external websites. Fortunately, Instagram provides several intentional pathways for link sharing, and mastering them is the key to converting your followers into visitors, subscribers, or customers.

The Foundational Method: Putting a Link in Your Bio

Your Instagram bio is the most valuable piece of real estate on your profile for driving traffic. It's the one place where anyone, regardless of follower count, can display a permanent, clickable link. This is your digital front door, so make it count.

How to Add a Link to Your Bio:

1. Open the Instagram app and go to your profile page.
2. Tap the "Edit Profile" button located beneath your bio.
3. You'll see a field labeled "Website." This is where your link goes. Note: Don't put the URL in the "Bio" text field itself, as it won't be clickable there.
4. Paste your desired URL into the "Website" field.
5. Tap "Done" (on iOS) or the checkmark (on Android) to save your changes.

Your link will now appear below your bio information. To drive engagement, your captions should include a clear call to action (CTA) like "Shop the full collection via the link in our bio!" or "Read the full story at the link in our profile." This simple phrase trains your audience to look for your link automatically.

Going Beyond One: Adding Multiple Links to Your Bio

For a long time, the "one link" limitation was a major pain point. While link-in-bio aggregator tools became popular workarounds, Instagram has now introduced a native feature that lets you add up to five clickable links directly within your bio.

Adding Multiple Links with Instagram’s Native Feature:

1. Go to your profile and tap "Edit Profile."
2. Tap on "Links." It will likely have a "1" next to it if you already have a website link added.
3. Tap "Add External Link."
4. Paste the URL and give it a descriptive title (e.g., "Our New Blog Post," "Shop Our Summer Sale"). The title is what users will see, so make it clear.
5. You can repeat this process to add up to five links.
6. To reorder them, tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the Links page and select "Reorder links." You can then drag and drop them into your preferred order.

When someone taps the link section in your bio, a small menu will pop up asking them which of your links they’d like to visit. This is an excellent, clean way to direct traffic without relying on a third-party service, offering a seamless user experience straight from your profile.

Driving Clicks with Urgency: The Link Sticker in Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are a powerful, high-engagement format, and the link sticker is your best tool for sharing timely, relevant links. Originally limited to accounts with over 10,000 followers, this feature is now available to everyone, making it one of the most accessible ways to drive traffic.

Stories disappear after 24 hours, which creates a natural sense of urgency that encourages immediate action. It's perfect for promoting flash sales, new articles, event registrations, or limited-time offers.

How to Use the Instagram Story Link Sticker:

1. Open the Instagram Story creator by tapping the plus icon at the top of your feed or swiping right.
2. Create your Story by taking a photo, recording a video, or uploading content from your camera roll.
3. Once your visual is ready, tap the sticker icon (the smiling square face) at the top of the screen.
4. Scroll or search to find the "Link" sticker. Tap on it.
5. An input box will appear. Paste your destination URL into this box.
6. You can also customize the sticker text to create a more compelling call to action than just the plain URL. For example, instead of "www.example.com," you could write "Tap to Read!" or "Shop Now!".
7. Tap "Done." You can now reposition the sticker, pinch to resize it, and tap it to cycle through different color options to make it stand out against your background.
8. Share your Story as usual.

An Important Note on Link in Bio vs. Stories:

Think of your link in bio as your general directory - it's for your most important, evergreen links. Story links, on the other hand, are for specific, in-the-moment promotions. A great strategy is to use both in harmony. For example, mention a product in your Story with a direct link sticker, but also remind followers that they can always shop your full catalog through the link in your bio.

Connecting Products to Purchases: Instagram Shopping and Product Tags

For e-commerce brands, Instagram Shopping is a game-changer. It transforms your Instagram profile from a simple photo gallery into a browsable storefront. By setting up an Instagram Shop, you can tag products directly in your feed posts, Reels, and Stories.

How Product Tagging Works:

• When you tag a product, a small shopping bag icon appears on your content.
• Users can tap the photo or video to see the names and prices of the tagged products.
• Tapping on a specific tag takes them to a product detail page right within the Instagram app.
• From there, they can tap a button to "View on Website" and complete their purchase directly on your online store.

This method removes almost all friction between discovery and purchase. A user sees a product they love in a real-world setting, taps a few times, and lands on your checkout page. To get started, you'll need an Instagram Business or Creator account and a connected product catalog via Facebook Commerce Manager.

Creative Workarounds and Advanced Strategies

Beyond the core features, a few other methods can help you drive traffic creatively.

1. DM Automation

This strategy encourages engagement while delivering a personalized link. In your post caption or Story, you can ask your audience to comment with a specific keyword (e.g., "Comment 'LINK' below and we'll send you the article!"). Using a third-party tool like ManyChat, you can set up an automated reply that instantly sends a DM with the clickable link to anyone who uses that keyword. This not only gets the link into their inbox but also boosts your post's engagement, which can improve its reach.

2. Paid Advertising

The most direct way to get a clickable link in front of a target audience is through Instagram Ads. When you run a sponsored post or Story, you can add a button with a clear call to action like "Learn More," "Shop Now," or "Sign Up." These ads appear directly in users' feeds and Stories, and the clickable URL makes it simple for them to take the next step. While it requires a budget, it offers precise targeting and guaranteed link visibility.

3. Use QR Codes in Your Content

This is a clever visual trick. You can create a QR code that links to a specific URL and embed it as part of the graphic or video in a feed post or Reel. Instruct users to screenshot the post and use their phone’s camera or a QR scanner app to access the link. This works best when the destination offers high value, like an exclusive download, a contest entry, or a special discount that makes the extra step worthwhile.

Final Thoughts

While Instagram's approach to links is unique, there are abundant opportunities to direct traffic from the platform to your website. Combining a polished multi-link bio, engaging Story stickers, and effective calls to action can transform your profile into a powerful driver of clicks and conversions. The key is to choose the right method for the right message and consistently guide your audience where you want them to go.

As you build out your strategy to drive more traffic, keeping all the moving pieces organized is essential. At Postbase, we designed our visual content calendar with these goals in mind. By planning your feed posts, Stories, and Reels in one place, you can strategically coordinate which content will promote your link in bio or a special Story link, ensuring your campaigns are cohesive and effective. A good plan makes it far easier to turn followers into website visitors.