Looking to boost clicks, drive traffic, or promote your latest offer—all without relying on the bio link?
Instagram Stories just gave you the upper hand.
With the rollout of link stickers, Instagram has made it easier than ever to turn viewers into visitors—no 10K followers or verification required. Whether you’re a creator promoting content, a small business owner sharing a product, or just someone with a message to share, link stickers are a game-changing feature.
But here’s the catch: just adding a link isn’t enough. To make it work, you need to know how to use it—and how to make people actually click.
In this guide, we’re breaking it all down:
- What exactly a link sticker is
- How to add it to your Stories
- And most importantly, how to use it effectively for marketing, sales, and personal branding
Let’s turn those taps into traffic.
What Is a Link Sticker on Instagram?
A Link Sticker is a clickable element you can place on your Instagram Stories to drive traffic directly to an external URL. When viewers tap the sticker, they’re taken straight to the link you’ve added—whether it’s a product page, blog post, event registration, YouTube video, or any other online destination.
This feature replaces the older “swipe-up” option that was previously limited to verified users or those with 10,000+ followers. Now, it’s accessible to everyone, making it a valuable tool for creators, small businesses, and personal brands alike.
Key Points About Link Stickers:
- They appear as tappable stickers you can place anywhere on your Story.
- Viewers can tap the sticker to be redirected to the link you’ve chosen.
- Unlike swipe-up links, stickers can be customized and repositioned on the screen.
- Available to all Instagram accounts, regardless of follower count or verification status.
- Ideal for promoting sales pages, newsletters, blogs, videos, affiliate links, and more.
Whether you’re trying to increase sales, grow your email list, or boost traffic to your latest content, Link Stickers offer a quick and effective way to connect your audience with what matters most.
Why Use Link Stickers?
Link stickers are one of the most powerful tools for engagement and conversion on Instagram. With just one tap, your audience can jump from your Story to any page you choose—making it an incredibly valuable feature for creators, marketers, and small business owners.
Here’s why you should be using them:
- Drive traffic to external websites: Send viewers directly to your blog, e-commerce site, portfolio, or landing page without relying on the bio link.
- Promote products or services instantly: Whether it’s a new launch, a limited-time offer, or a best-seller, you can direct users straight to your shop or product page.
- Boost video views or blog readership: Link stickers are great for driving traffic to long-form content on platforms like YouTube or your personal website.
- Grow your email list: Direct followers to sign-up forms for your newsletter, freebie downloads, or webinars—right from your Story.
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Support affiliate marketing and brand deals: Share affiliate links or sponsored content with ease, making it easier to earn commissions and deliver value to partners.
If you’re not using link stickers, you’re overlooking one of the most actionable, conversion-friendly tools that Instagram has to offer—especially now that it’s available to everyone.
How to Add Link Stickers in Instagram Stories (Step-by-Step)
Adding a link sticker to your Story is simple, but using it the right way can make all the difference. Follow these clear steps to get started:
1. Open the Instagram App and Swipe Right
Start by opening the Instagram app on your smartphone. From the home feed, swipe right or tap on your profile picture at the top-left corner of the screen. This will launch the Story creation interface, where you can begin crafting your next Instagram Story. This screen gives you access to the camera, filters, templates, and more.
2. Capture or Upload Your Story Content
At this point, you can either take a fresh photo or record a video using the in-app camera, or you can tap on the gallery icon in the bottom-left corner to upload content from your phone’s library. Choose a visual that supports the message or link you’re about to share—whether it’s a product photo, a behind-the-scenes moment, or a promotional graphic. Your content should be visually appealing and relevant to encourage viewers to tap the link.
3. Tap the Sticker Icon
Once you’ve finalized your Story image or video, look at the top menu bar and tap on the Sticker icon, which resembles a square smiley face. This will open a tray of interactive elements you can add to your Story, such as polls, questions, countdowns, and of course, the link sticker.
4. Select the “Link” Sticker
Scroll through the available stickers until you find the one labeled “Link.” Tap on it to open a new screen where you can input your desired URL. The Link Sticker is one of the most versatile features in this tray, giving you the ability to drive traffic to nearly any web destination directly from your Story.
5. Enter Your Desired URL
In the text field that appears, type or paste the link you want your audience to visit. This could be a product page, blog article, sign-up form, affiliate link, video, event page, or even a landing page for a campaign. Double-check the link to make sure it’s spelled correctly and leads to a live page. You can also tap on “Customize sticker text” (if available) to write a short, compelling CTA like “Shop Now” or “Read Blog.”
6. Tap “Done”
Once you’re happy with the URL and sticker text (if applicable), tap the “Done” button in the top-right corner of the screen. This confirms your link and adds the sticker to your Story draft. From here, you’ll be able to adjust its size and position.
7. Position the Sticker
Now, you can drag the link sticker anywhere on your screen. Place it strategically—somewhere it’s visible but not blocking any important parts of your photo or video. You can resize it by pinching and zooming, and tap it to cycle through a few visual styles. Make sure it looks natural and aligns with your Story’s aesthetic so viewers are more inclined to engage with it.
8. Share Your Story
When your Story is ready to go, tap on the “Your Story” button at the bottom to share it with all your followers. Alternatively, if you want to send it to a specific group, tap “Close Friends” or share it as a direct message. Once published, your Story will include the clickable link sticker—visible and fully functional for viewers.
And You’re Done!
That’s all it takes. Now your followers can simply tap on the link sticker in your Story and be instantly redirected to your chosen URL. This removes the need for them to visit your bio and helps turn casual views into meaningful actions—whether that’s a product purchase, newsletter signup, or a blog read.
Using link stickers the right way can significantly boost your traffic, conversions, and engagement, making them an essential tool in any Instagram marketing strategy.
Where Is the Link Sticker on Instagram?
If you’re wondering, “where is the link sticker on Instagram?”—you’ll find it in the Sticker Tray when you’re creating a story.
Here’s a quick reminder:
- Once you’ve added your story content, tap the smiley face sticker icon at the top.
- Scroll or search through the available stickers until you find “Link.”
- Tap on it, insert your link, and you’re good to go.
If you don’t see the option, make sure your app is updated to the latest version.
Tips to Make Your Link Stickers More Effective
Adding a link is easy—but getting people to click it is where strategy matters. Use these tips to make your stickers convert:
- Customize sticker text: Instead of showing the raw link, Instagram allows you to add custom call-to-actions like “Shop Now” or “Watch Video.”
- Use engaging visuals: Make sure your story content is relevant and eye-catching to encourage taps.
- Add context: Use a few words or a quick sentence explaining why the viewer should tap the link.
- Place it strategically: Don’t hide the sticker. Keep it visible but not overpowering.
- Track with UTM links: Use tracking URLs (like with Google Analytics) to measure clicks and traffic.
How Link Stickers Help Creators and Businesses
Whether you’re a content creator, e-commerce brand, coach, or marketer, link stickers can transform how you drive traffic and generate revenue.
- Creators can link to YouTube, podcast episodes, affiliate products, and digital downloads.
- Businesses can link to product pages, landing pages, or promotional offers.
- Non-profits can link to donation pages, event signups, or awareness campaigns.
It’s a direct, in-app path from engagement to action.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
If your link sticker isn’t showing up:
- Update the app: Make sure Instagram is updated to the latest version.
- Try from a different account: Sometimes older accounts may face rollout delays.
- Reinstall Instagram: This can fix sticker bugs.
- Check link validity: Make sure you’re entering a complete, valid URL.
Final Thoughts
The Link Sticker has revolutionized how Instagram users connect followers to external content. With no follower threshold, it’s accessible to everyone, and if used wisely, it can become one of your most powerful tools for conversions and traffic.
From adding links to your store or blog to boosting affiliate income, it’s one feature that every user—from beginners to marketers—should master.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of links can I add with the Instagram Link Sticker?
You can add any valid URL—including e-commerce product links, YouTube videos, blog posts, newsletter signup forms, event pages, donation pages, and affiliate links. Just avoid URLs that go against Instagram’s community guidelines.
Can I customize the text on the Instagram link sticker?
Yes. Instagram allows you to add a custom call-to-action like “Read More,” “Shop Now,” or “Get the Recipe.” This feature helps you make the sticker more appealing and relevant to your content.
Is the link sticker available to everyone?
Yes. Previously, only verified accounts or those with 10K+ followers could share links. Now, all users can add link stickers, regardless of their follower count or verification status.
Can I track how many people clicked my link?
Instagram doesn’t provide exact click data within Insights. However, you can track performance by:
- Using UTM parameters
- Shortening links with Bitly or Rebrandly
- Monitoring traffic spikes via Google Analytics
Why can’t I find the link sticker on my Instagram?
If the link sticker isn’t showing up:
- Make sure your Instagram app is fully updated.
- Log out and log back in, or reinstall the app.
- Ensure your account doesn’t have restrictions or violations.
If all else fails, try contacting Instagram support.
