You can add a clickable link to your Instagram story in three ways, depending on your account type and what features Instagram has enabled for you
The most common method is the Link sticker, which lets you paste any URL and Instagram turns it into a tappable button. You can also use the Swipe Up feature if you have a business or creator account with at least 10,000 followers, though Instagram has been phasing this out in favor of the Link sticker. A third option is the URL sticker, which works similarly to the Link sticker but displays the web address itself rather than a custom button.
Which method you can use depends on your account type and follower count. Personal accounts can use the Link sticker and URL sticker. Business and creator accounts with 10,000+ followers may still see the Swipe Up option, but Instagram is gradually replacing it with the Link sticker across all account types.
Key Takeaways
- The Link sticker is available to most Instagram accounts and lets you add any URL to your story with a custom button design.
- You need a business or creator account with at least 10,000 followers to use Swipe Up, and Instagram is phasing this feature out.
- The URL sticker displays the actual web address on your story, making it useful when you want the link itself to be visible.
- All three methods require you to paste the full URL, including the https:// part, for the link to work correctly.
How to add a link using the Link sticker
Open Instagram and tap the plus icon at the bottom of your screen to create a new story. Take a photo or video, or select one from your camera roll. Once you have your story content ready, tap the sticker icon (it looks like a square smiley face) at the top of the editing screen.
Scroll through the sticker options and tap Link. A text field will appear asking you to paste a URL. Type or paste the full web address, starting with https://. You can then customize how the sticker looks — Instagram offers different button styles and colors. Tap outside the sticker to finish editing, then post your story as usual.
The Link sticker appears as a tappable button on your story. When someone taps it, Instagram opens the URL in a web browser. You can move and resize the sticker just like any other story element by dragging it around the screen.
How to use Swipe Up if your account qualifies
Swipe Up is only available to business and creator accounts with at least 10,000 followers. If you have this feature, you will see a "Link" option when you swipe up from the bottom of the story editing screen — this is different from the Link sticker method above.
To use Swipe Up, create your story content first. Then, from the editing screen, swipe up from the bottom of your phone. A text field will appear where you can paste your URL. Type or paste the full web address, including https://. You can add text above the link that says "Swipe Up" or customize it with your own message. Post your story when you are ready.
Instagram has been gradually removing Swipe Up in favor of the Link sticker, so you may not see this option even if you meet the follower requirement. If Swipe Up is no longer available to you, use the Link sticker method instead.
How to add a link using the URL sticker
The URL sticker works similarly to the Link sticker but displays the actual web address on your story instead of a custom button. Open your story editor and tap the sticker icon at the top. Scroll to find the URL sticker option and tap it.
Paste the full web address into the text field, starting with https://. The sticker will display the URL text on your story. You can resize and move it like any other sticker. When someone taps the URL sticker, Instagram opens that link in a browser.
Use the URL sticker when you want the actual web address to be visible on your story — for example, if you are directing people to a specific page and want them to see the domain name or path.
What happens when someone taps your link
When a viewer taps any of these link stickers, Instagram opens the URL in the in-app browser. They do not leave Instagram — the webpage loads inside the Instagram app itself. If they want to open the link in their phone's default browser instead, they can tap the three-dot menu at the top of the in-app browser and select "Open in Safari" (iPhone) or "Open in Chrome" (Android).
You can see how many people tapped your link by checking your story insights. Tap your story after it has been posted, then look for the "Taps Forward" metric, which shows how many people tapped the link sticker.
Troubleshooting links that do not work
If your link sticker is not working, the most common cause is a missing or incorrect URL format. Make sure you included https:// at the beginning of the web address. Instagram requires the full URL, not just the domain name. For example, use https://www.example.com, not just example.com.
If the link works for you but not for your followers, the URL may be blocked in their region or by their internet provider. Some countries restrict access to certain websites, and some corporate or school networks block links. There is nothing you can do on Instagram's side to fix this — it is a network or regional restriction.
If the Link sticker option is not showing up at all, you may not have the latest version of Instagram installed. Update the app from your phone's app store and try again. If you still do not see it, Instagram may not have rolled out the feature to your account yet — the company releases features gradually to different users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a link to my Instagram story if I have a personal account?
Yes. Personal accounts can use the Link sticker and URL sticker. You do not need a business account or a certain number of followers. The Swipe Up feature is only for business and creator accounts with 10,000+ followers.
What if the link I want to share is really long?
You can paste any URL, no matter how long. The Link sticker will display it as a button with your custom text, so the length does not matter. If you use the URL sticker, the long address will display on your story, but you can resize the text to make it fit better.
Can people see where my link goes before they tap it?
With the Link sticker, no — they only see the button you designed. With the URL sticker, yes — the web address is visible on your story. If you use Swipe Up, they see whatever text you added (like "Swipe Up to Learn More") but not the actual URL until they tap it.
Do I need to shorten my URL with a tool like Bitly?
No. Instagram accepts full URLs directly, and you do not need to shorten them. Shortened URLs work too, but they are not required. Some people use them to track clicks separately, but that is optional.
Can I change the link after I post my story?
No. Once your story is live, you cannot edit the link. You would need to delete the story and create a new one with the correct link. This is why it is worth double-checking your URL before you post.