How to Add a Link to Your Instagram Story in 2025 (Full Guide)
Instagram Stories are one of the most powerful tools for connecting with your audience in real-time. But did you know they can also be a serious traffic driver to your website, product pages, YouTube channel, or blog?
Thanks to Instagram’s link sticker feature, adding a clickable link to your Story is now easier—and more accessible—than ever before. Whether you’re a creator, business owner, or just a savvy social media user, the link sticker can help boost engagement, drive conversions, and turn passive views into meaningful clicks.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly how to add a link to your Instagram Story, why it matters, who can use the feature, and how to make the most of it.
What Is the Instagram Link Sticker?
The Instagram link sticker is a tappable sticker that lets you add a hyperlink to any Story you post. Once published, viewers can tap the sticker to instantly visit your desired webpage.
Before this feature was introduced, Instagram offered a “swipe-up” link option, which was only available to verified accounts or users with over 10,000 followers. However, since 2021, Instagram has phased that out and made the link sticker available to everyone—no follower count required.
You can place the sticker anywhere on your Story and even customize the text so it says something like “Read More,” “Shop Now,” or “Watch Video.”
Who Can Use the Link Sticker?
Anyone with an Instagram account that has access to Stories can use the link sticker—regardless of their follower count, verification status, or account type.
This means that:
- Small businesses
- Influencers and content creators
- Ecommerce sellers
- Non-profits
- Personal users
…all have the ability to drive traffic directly from their Stories. However, Instagram does monitor misuse of the feature. If your account violates community guidelines or repeatedly shares misleading content, you may lose access to it.
Tip: Always stay within Instagram’s terms of service to maintain long-term access to features like the link sticker.
Why You Should Use the Link Sticker in Instagram Stories
If you’re serious about growing your brand or driving online traffic, the Instagram link sticker is non-negotiable. Here’s why:
1. Drive Website Traffic Effortlessly
Instead of sending people to your profile bio or relying on other platforms, you can drive them straight to the action—whether that’s a blog post, YouTube video, product page, signup form, or newsletter.
2. Boost Engagement
When users can click directly on your Story, they become more than just passive viewers—they become active participants. This interaction helps your overall Instagram engagement rate and signals algorithmic value.
3. Increase Conversions
Are you running a sale or launching a new product? Promoting a lead magnet or ebook? The link sticker allows you to generate leads and sales directly from your audience’s favorite format—Stories.
4. More Accessible Than Ever
Unlike the old swipe-up feature, there are no follower count barriers. Whether you have 50 or 50,000 followers, you can start using the link sticker immediately.
5. Adaptable for Any Strategy
From affiliate marketing to content promotion, product sales to event RSVPs, the sticker suits virtually every digital strategy.
Step-by-Step: How to Add a Link to Your Instagram Story
Let’s walk through the exact process of adding a link sticker to your Instagram Story in 2025:
Step 1: Open the Instagram Story Camera
- Launch the Instagram app.
- Tap the “+” icon on your home screen or swipe right to open the Story camera.
Step 2: Create or Upload Your Story Content
- Choose a photo or video from your gallery.
- Or create content directly within the Story camera using the tools provided.
Step 3: Tap the Sticker Icon
- Once your content is ready, tap the sticker icon (a square smiley face at the top of the screen).
Step 4: Select the “Link” Sticker
- Scroll down through the sticker options.
- Tap on the “Link” sticker.
Step 5: Enter the URL
- Paste the full URL of the page you want to link.
- Instagram will verify the link and provide a preview.
- You can customize the sticker text to make it more engaging. For example, change it from the default link to “Visit Site,” “See More,” or “Join Now.”
Step 6: Style and Place the Link Sticker
- Move and resize the link sticker on your Story.
- Make sure it’s clearly visible and not hidden behind other elements.
Step 7: Publish Your Story
- Tap “Your Story” to share it with your full audience.
- Or choose “Close Friends” for a limited group.
- You can also select “Send To” to share with specific followers.
Bonus Tip: Instagram offers multiple visual styles for the link sticker. Tap the sticker once to change its appearance and choose one that fits your brand aesthetic.
How to Change the Link Sticker Text in Your Instagram Story
Instagram’s Link Sticker is a game-changer for anyone looking to share clickable links in Stories—whether you’re promoting a product, blog post, event, or landing page. But did you know you can also customize the sticker text so it doesn’t just show your raw URL?
Instead of a boring web address, you can make the sticker say anything you want—“Shop Now,” “Learn More,” “Tap Here,” or something totally on-brand and fun.
Let’s walk through exactly how to change the Link Sticker text in Instagram Stories, and then we’ll look at some creative name ideas to make your call-to-action pop.
✅ How to Customize the Link Sticker Text in Instagram Stories
Here’s how to personalize the text that appears on your Instagram Story Link Sticker:
- Open Instagram and create a new Story.
- Add your Story content — a photo, video, or background.
- Tap the sticker icon at the top (a smiley face inside a square).
- Select the “Link” sticker.
- Enter your URL in the field provided.
- Tap “Customize sticker text” right below the URL field.
- Type in your custom call-to-action or phrase.
- Hit “Done” to add the sticker to your Story.
📝 Important: Once you publish the Story, you cannot edit the custom text—so double-check for typos before posting!
💡 Why Change the Link Sticker Text?
Using a custom sticker name allows you to:
- Improve engagement by giving viewers a clear reason to click.
- Hide clunky URLs and replace them with clean, branded text.
- Tailor CTAs (call-to-actions) for different campaigns or promotions.
- Make your content look more professional and intentional.
Whether you’re a brand, influencer, or content creator, customizing your Link Sticker text can boost both click-through rates and Story aesthetics.
🔤 Instagram Link Sticker Text Ideas
Need a little inspiration? Here are some Link Sticker name ideas to spark your creativity:
🔗 For Promotions:
- Shop the Sale
- Get the Deal
- Claim Your Discount
- 24hr Offer Only
- Tap to Save
📝 For Content:
- Read the Blog
- Watch the Video
- Listen to the Episode
- See the Tutorial
- Full Story Here
📢 For Events & Launches:
- RSVP Now
- Book Your Spot
- Sign Up Today
- Join the Waitlist
- Launch Details
🧠 For Community & Value:
- Learn More
- Free Resources
- Tips Inside
- Behind the Scenes
- Daily Dose
Get creative and think about what would compel your audience to tap the sticker. Keep it short, clear, and action-oriented.
📲 Plan Ahead Using Preview App (or Notes)
Since Instagram doesn’t allow third-party tools to schedule Stories with stickers, you’ll need to prepare manually—but that doesn’t mean you can’t be organized.
Use this workaround:
- Open your Insta Story planner app like Preview App.
- Add your photo/video and include a placeholder or note.
- In your Notes section, write down the link and the custom sticker text you want to use.
- When it’s time to post, copy and paste the prepared info into your Instagram app.
👀 Pro Tip: You can also prepare this directly in your phone’s Notes app. That way, when it’s time to post your Story manually, you just copy the link and your chosen sticker text.
🔒 Note on Third-Party Scheduling Tools
Instagram currently does not allow any third-party app (like Later, Buffer, or even Preview) to auto-post Stories with a Link Sticker. That means the only Instagram-approved method is to manually add the sticker before you post.
So if you’re scheduling or planning your Stories in advance, just make sure to leave yourself a note to insert the Link Sticker manually before hitting publish.
How to Track Link Sticker Performance
Understanding how your link is performing is crucial to measuring ROI.
Use Instagram Insights:
- Go to your published Story.
- Swipe up to view Story analytics.
- Check for “Link Clicks” to see how many users tapped on your sticker.
This data helps you test different sticker texts, content types, or placements to optimize future results.
Best Practices for Link Stickers on Instagram Stories
To get the most out of this feature, follow these proven tactics:
✔ Customize the Sticker Text
Generic text like “Click Here” is okay—but more specific calls-to-action tend to drive better results. Try:
- “Download Free Guide”
- “Shop This Look”
- “Watch the Full Video”
✔ Use Strong Visuals
The Story content behind your link should catch attention and be relevant to the page you’re linking to. Blurry images or random videos won’t cut it.
✔ Combine With Polls or Quizzes
Engage viewers before showing the link sticker. Ask a question or use an interactive sticker, then reveal the link in the next Story slide.
✔ Use Highlight Reels to Extend Link Life
Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours, but if you save them as Highlights, your link stickers stay visible on your profile permanently.
✔ Maintain Brand Consistency
Use your fonts, colors, and tone in every Story. A cohesive brand experience builds trust and encourages clicks.
Alternatives to the Link Sticker for Driving Traffic
Even though the link sticker is a powerful tool, it’s not the only way to bring users from Instagram to your external content. Here are some complementary strategies:
1. Add a Link in Your Bio
Still a classic and effective method. Use tools like:
- Linktree
- Beacons
- Campsite
- Your own mini landing page
These tools let you house multiple links under one customizable URL.
2. Use Calls-to-Action in Captions
In regular posts, mention your bio link in the caption. For example:
- “Check out the full recipe via the link in bio 🍰”
- “Want more? Hit the link in bio to read the full story.”
3. Utilize Instagram Shopping Features
If you’re a product-based brand:
- Tag products in Stories or feed posts.
- Drive direct purchases or product views without needing external links.
4. Create Engaging Highlight Categories
Use Highlights to organize your top content. Label them “Free Downloads,” “Events,” “Shop,” “Blog,” or “Watch.”
5. Use Direct Messages
You can also send links directly to followers via DMs. Great for personalized recommendations or lead nurturing.
Real-World Examples of Link Stickers in Action
Here are a few creative ways to use link stickers:
- Fashion Influencer: “Tap to Shop This Outfit 🔗”
- Fitness Coach: “Join My 7-Day Challenge 💪”
- Food Blogger: “Get the Full Recipe 🍽️”
- Ecommerce Brand: “50% Off Ends Tonight—Grab Yours 🎉”
- Musician: “Watch My New Music Video 🎶”
Conclusion
Adding a link to your Instagram Story is no longer a luxury limited to big influencers—it’s a must-have feature for anyone serious about growing their online presence.
With the link sticker, you can turn casual Story views into qualified website traffic, leads, and even revenue. By combining visual creativity, clear CTAs, and strategic placement, you’ll unlock Instagram Stories’ full potential as a conversion channel.
So don’t just post for views—post for results. Start using the Instagram link sticker today and watch your traffic grow!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can anyone add a link to their Instagram Story?
Yes, the link sticker is now available to all users, regardless of follower count or verification status. Just make sure you have access to Stories and the latest app version.
2. Can I change the sticker text?
Absolutely! Instagram allows you to customize the text when you add the link. Use engaging CTAs like “Shop Now,” “Read More,” or “Get It Free.”
3. How can I track link clicks?
Use Instagram Insights. Swipe up on your Story to view metrics like link taps, impressions, and reach.
4. Can I add more than one link per Story?
No, Instagram allows only one link sticker per Story slide. However, you can create multiple slides, each with a unique link—or direct users to a Linktree-style landing page.