How to put a Link to your Instagram Story

First, the basics: Creating a story with a link is quite simple. When you're about to upload a story, after choosing your photo or video, look for the sticker icon at the top of the editing screen. Tap it, and you'll see a variety of stickers.

Among these stickers, there is now a 'Link' sticker—sometimes called “Link” or “Add Link” depending on updates. Tap on it, and you'll be prompted to enter your URL. Make sure your link is accurate and tested before sharing.

After you paste the link, the fun part is customizing the sticker's text! Change it to something inviting like "Shop Now", "Learn More", or "Get the Guide"—this makes it totally clear what people get when they tap. Then, just remember to place that sticker smartly on your Story. Just one last tip: Make sure that link sticker is easy to spot and tap, but for goodness sake, don't let it cover up your face or the main action in your picture or video! Finally, share your story. Now followers can tap the sticker directly to visit your link without needing to swipe up, which is a great update for accounts that can’t use the swipe-up feature anymore. Best Practices for Using Links in Stories Make sure your link is 100% related to whatever is happening in your Story! Don't link to your homepage if you're talking about a shoe sale. Also, use strong, active language on your screen that practically forces a tap, like: "Tap here to get the exclusive discount!" or "Click the link to book your spot."

The main takeaway? Be super clear about what you want them to do! Instead of just one Story, try making a short series of Stories that either build up excitement or tell a mini-story that naturally makes people want to tap your link to see the ending!

Just remember the golden rule: Be consistent with your message, and be crystal clear about where that tap is going to take them.

How to Track Your Link Performance

It’s important to know how many followers are actually clicking your story links. Use tools like UTM parameters when creating URLs—these are special codes added to your links that track where your traffic comes from. When you set up your links with UTM tags, you can see detailed analytics in Google Analytics or your preferred tracking platform.

Making Links More Effective with InstantDM

This is where InstantDM comes into play—especially if you want to take your Instagram connection to the next level. Okay, so those new Instagram link stickers are definitely handy for getting people to your pages, but here's where InstantDM really shines: it helps you connect with your audience in a much more personal and automatic way. Instead of just a cold tap, you're starting a real conversation.

Imagine this: someone views your story and taps your link. Your followers click the link and go to your site, but what if they have questions? The genius of this is that you never have to wait around.

Instead of making them jump through hoops to ask you a question, InstantDM just takes the initiative. It automatically sends them a quick DM with that extra detail they need, maybe a little discount, or a valuable free resource. Honestly, it's just like having a super-smart assistant who nurtures those leads and helps you make more sales, all while you do absolutely nothing extra. For example, you might have a story promoting your new course with a link. When someone taps your link and then comments, InstantDM instantly replies in DMs with a personalized message. It might say, "Thanks! Here's the guide for the course." This small, automatic touch makes followers feel seen and really helps turn them into paying customers.

Combining Instagram Stories and InstantDM for Maximum Impact The key is integration. Here's how to run a powerful campaign:

First, use that clickable link sticker on your Instagram Story to easily send viewers straight to your landing page or offer.

Then, immediately kick in InstantDM! This is the tool that follows up, answers any questions the viewer might have instantly, and keeps nurturing that lead.

This two-step process is a powerhouse: you make it incredibly easy for followers to click, and then you follow through with engagement that feels totally personal and natural, not like a cold transaction.

Final Tips for Success

Keep your links mobile-friendly—most Instagram users are on their phones, so your landing pages should load fast and look good on smaller screens. Use compelling visuals and clear calls-to-action in your stories to encourage taps. Always make sure to use tracking URLs! That way, you can actually see exactly how many of your followers are clicking your links. When you know which links people are tapping, you can use that information to make your content and your offers even better. It’s all about working smarter, not guessing! Automate your follow-up with tools like InstantDM to provide instant value and turn followers into loyal customers.

People also ask

How do you get to a bio link in Instagram?

Getting to a bio link on Instagram is really simple. Just visit the profile of the person or business you're interested in. Their clickable link is located just below their bio, usually highlighted in blue. Tap on that link to open the webpage or content they've shared.

If you're updating your own profile, it's super simple: So, you just pop over to your profile, tap "Edit Profile," and then find the "Links" spot to put in or update your URL.

Once you save that, boom—your followers can instantly see and tap that link right under your bio! Easy peasy. Okay, keep this in mind: Instagram officially only gives you one clickable link spot in your bio. But don't worry! You can use special tools to turn that one spot into a page that holds multiple links.

If you really want to step up your game, tools like InstantDM are fantastic! They make things smoother and much more engaging because they automatically send the exact link a follower needs, right to their DMs, the moment they ask for details. It makes your link-sharing feel smarter and a lot more personal.

Why won't Instagram let me add a link to my bio?

If Instagram is acting up and refusing to take your bio link, the very first thing to check is a Bad URL.

The link you pasted probably has a little typo, some weird extra character, or maybe it's just a broken link. Instagram will reject it in a heartbeat if it’s sloppy. So, do yourself a favor: always copy the link and paste it directly, then double-check it! Too Many Links: Since the 2025 update, Instagram lets you have up to five links, but if you hit that max, you can't add another.

Content Issues: If the link goes to something that violates Instagram’s Community Guidelines (like spam or explicit content), they’ll block it.

If the bio link is a headache, remember you can skip it entirely using a tool like InstantDM. Just tell your audience to comment a keyword on your post, and the correct link gets sent instantly and automatically to their DMs. It's a much more direct way to connect!

Why is my Instagram bio mention not clickable?

That's annoying when the mention doesn't turn blue! It's usually not a major issue; here are the common culprits:

Missing the "@" Symbol: This is the big one. To make any profile name clickable in the bio, you must use the "@" symbol right before the username. If you just type the name, it stays plain text.

Bio Character Limit: Even though a mention is short, sometimes if your bio is right up against the 150-character limit, Instagram gets glitchy and won't fully activate the link. Try removing a character or two.

App Glitch: Sometimes the app itself is just being stubborn. Try closing Instagram completely and reopening it, or clearing the app cache.

On a different note, if you're trying to send followers to an external link (not another Instagram profile), remember that tools like InstantDM bypass the bio entirely. You can get people to comment a word on your post and the link will be sent to their DMs immediately—it's super reliable and engaging!

conclusion

Adding links to your Instagram story isn’t just about tapping a sticker—it’s about crafting a seamless, engaging experience that guides followers from interest to action. And with tools like InstantDM, you can turn a simple story visit into a meaningful conversation, providing value and building trust along the way. By combining Instagram’s new link features with automation tools, you turn passive viewers into active participants—helping your business grow effortlessly.