How to Share an Article on Instagram

Got a fantastic article you want to share but stumped on how to get it in front of your Instagram audience? You’re not alone. Unlike other platforms, Instagram doesn't let you pop a clickable link into a feed post, which forces creators to get a bit more creative. This guide will walk you through the most effective methods for sharing articles, from the simple and direct to the more strategic approaches that boost engagement and drive real traffic.

Why You Can't Just "Share a Link" on Instagram's Feed

First, let's address the main hurdle. Instagram’s design philosophy prioritizes keeping users within the app for as long as possible. Clickable links in feed posts would send users away from the platform, disrupting that immersive experience. For this reason, Instagram limits clickable links to a few specific places: your profile bio, Instagram Stories, and direct messages.

But don't let that discourage you. This limitation has actually pushed brands and creators to develop more engaging ways to promote their content. Instead of just dropping a link and hoping for clicks, you have the opportunity to build anticipation, provide value upfront, and earn that click. Let's look at exactly how to do that.

Method 1: The Classic "Link in Bio" Strategy

The "link in bio" is the original and most well-known method for directing followers to an external site. It involves placing a single URL in the website field of your Instagram profile and then using your feed posts, Reels, and Stories as signposts to guide people there.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Add the Link to Your Profile: Navigate to your Instagram profile, tap "Edit Profile," and paste your article's URL into the "Website" field.
2. Create a Promotional Post: Design a high-quality graphic, carousel post, or Reel that gives your audience a compelling reason to read the full article. This could be a striking quote, a surprising statistic, or a summary of key points from the piece.
3. Write a Strong Call to Action (CTA): In your caption, explicitly tell your followers what to do. Use phrases like:
   • "Read the full guide! Link in bio."
   • "For all the details, head to the link in our bio."
   • "Ready to learn more? Tap the link in bio to read the article."

Supercharge Your Bio with a Link-in-Bio Tool

The biggest downside of this method is that you can only feature one link at a time. If you’re promoting a new article today, you have to replace the link to yesterday’s article. This is where link-in-bio tools (like Linktree, Koji, or Beacons) come in handy.

These services create a simple, mobile-friendly landing page that houses multiple links. You put your personal link-in-bio page URL in your Instagram bio, and from there, you can direct followers to your latest article, your blog's homepage, your newsletter signup, and more. This turns your single bio link into a powerhouse hub for all of your most important content.

Method 2: The Direct Approach with Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are, without a doubt, the most effective place to share a direct, clickable article link. The interactive "Link" sticker lets users tap and go straight to your webpage without leaving the app. It's simple, immediate, and highly effective.

How to Use the Link Sticker in Stories:

1. Open the Instagram Stories camera and either take a photo, record a video, or upload content from your camera roll.
2. Tap the sticker icon (the smiley face in a square) at the top of the screen.
3. Select the "Link" sticker from the options.
4. Paste your article's URL into the field provided. You can also customize the sticker text to make it a clear CTA, such as "Read More Here" or "Get the Full Guide."
5. Place the sticker anywhere on your Story, resize it, and share.

Best Practices for Stories to Maximize Clicks:

• Give Context, Don't Just Post a Link: Create a few Story slides leading up to the link. Talk directly to the camera about why the article is valuable, create a poll asking a related question, or share a shocking statistic from the piece. Warm up the audience before you ask them to click.
• Use Visual Cues: Add GIFs like flashing arrows or "tap here" stickers pointing to your link sticker to draw attention to it.
• Create a Highlight: If the article is important "evergreen" content, save the Story to a custom Highlight on your profile. This gives it a permanent home where new followers can easily find it long after the initial 24 hours.

Method 3: Turn Your Article into Natively Engaging Content

This is arguably the most powerful strategy for the long term. Instead of just trying to send people *off* of Instagram, you bring the value *onto* the platform. You deconstruct your article into easy-to-digest, visually appealing content that performs well within Instagram's algorithm.

The goal is to provide so much value within the post itself that followers feel compelled to save it, share it, and then - if they want even more depth - click the link in your bio. The most popular format for this is the carousel post.

Creating a "Micro-Blog" Carousel Post from Your Article:

1. Identify the Core Nuggets: Read through your article and pull out 5-10 key takeaways, actionable tips, surprising stats, or quotable moments. These will become the content for each slide in your carousel.
2. Design Your Slides: Using a tool like Canva or Figma, create a template for your carousel. Your slides could follow a structure like this:
   • Slide 1 (The Hook): A compelling title that makes people want to swipe. For example, "5 Mistakes You're Making When Sharing Articles on Instagram."
   • Slides 2-9 (The Value): Dedicate each slide to one of your key takeaways. Use a mix of bold text, simple icons, and your brand's colors to make it visually interesting. Keep the text concise and easy to read.
   • Slide 10 (The CTA): The final slide is your call to action. Prompt your audience to save the post for later, share it with a friend, and read the full article for a deeper look at the topic. Then point them to your link in bio.
3. Write an Engaging Caption: Your caption should serve as an executive summary of the carousel and expand a little on the topic. End it with a clear CTA to check out the full article.

This method works because it aligns perfectly with user behavior on Instagram. People come to the platform to be entertained and educated, and a valuable carousel delivers that instantly. By providing value upfront, you build trust and authority, making that final CTA to "read the full article" far more effective.

Method 4: Prompting Engagement with DMs

A newer, highly engaging strategy involves using comments and direct messages as a gateway to your link. Instead of sending people to your bio, you ask them to take a small action, and you deliver the link directly to their inbox.

Here’s how it works:

1. Create a Post or Reel: Create your content teasing the article as you normally would.
2. Craft a "Keyword" CTA: In your caption or in text on your Story/Reel, ask your audience to comment with a specific keyword. For example, "Comment 'ARTICLE' below and we'll send the link right to your DMs!"
3. Deliver the Link: Manually (or using an automation tool like ManyChat) reply to each comment by sending the user a direct message containing the link to the article.

This method is powerful for a few reasons. First, the rush of comments sends positive signals to Instagram’s algorithm, potentially boosting your post’s reach. Second, it starts a one-on-one conversation with your followers, strengthening your community connection. The main drawback is that it can become very time-consuming to manage without automation if your post gets popular.

Final Thoughts

Sharing an article on Instagram requires more thought than a simple copy and paste, but that’s a good thing. By using a combination of the link in your bio, interactive Story stickers, and value-packed carousels, you can not only drive traffic but also build a more engaged and loyal audience on the platform. The key is to match your strategy to your content and always offer a compelling reason for your audience to take that next step.

Figuring out the 'how' is just one piece of the puzzle, consistently planning and scheduling these different types of posts is where the real work begins. We built Postbase to solve this exact problem. With a clear visual calendar, you can map out your entire content strategy - from the Reels that tease your article to the Story reminders and the feed posts that recap it. Because Postbase is designed for today's visual, video-first world, you can plan, schedule, and publish all your promotional content reliably without the frustration that comes with older, clunkier tools.