Creating an Instagram story is a fun new approach to engaging with your followers. This is especially important for business accounts.
Instagram stories are authentic, personal and immediate. Since they disappear after 24 hours, there is no need to worry that everything will be perfect. The charm of Instagram stories is that they are spontaneous and you don't have to think about them too much.
On the other hand, if you want to be seen on Instagram, stories are a good way to do it.
Your stories appear on your profile, but they also appear on your followers' feeds and next to the stories you share. Plus, people can see your story from Search & Explore. If you add a sticker, location, or hashtag, your story will also appear in the relevant hashtag and location pages.
It's no surprise that some users add a lot of information to their stories. A clever caption or sticker can leave a good impression. But what about links?
Link from your Instagram story
Instagram is notorious for limiting your options well known for limiting user options involving adding links.
You can add a link to your profile. If you want to entice people to visit your site, you can add a caption to your story with instructions to check your profile for more information.
It is also possible to paste the URL into the tags you place on your story. This way, your subscribers can copy it and reach the site in question. If you go for this option, it's a good idea to use a URL shortener like little.
But what about direct links? Is it possible for your followers to tap on the story and go to another webpage?
Instagram has introduced the swipe option for users who want to add outbound links to stories. When you see a story with the caption See more, you need to swipe up to go to a new website.
What you need to know about swipe up
The most important fact about the swipe up option is that it is not available for all Instagram users.
When this option was first released, it was limited to verified accounts. You probably know that only certain celebrities and brands have verified accounts on Instagram.
These users typically swiped up to link to promotions, or to concert times and other topical information. Some celebrities have also used Instagram stories to connect with their favorite causes and raise awareness.
But what about the rest of us?
Instagram has taken a very cautious approach to expanding the swipe up feature. This feature is easy to abuse and could expose Instagram users to malicious sites.
So, at this point, the swipe option is available for business accounts with more than 10 followers. But how do you add a swipe to your stories if you have a business account?
A step-by-step guide to adding a swipe up
Here's how business accounts can add outbound links to stories when you don't have 10 followers.
- Create your story first. To create a story, you can take a photo or a video. You can also upload media from your gallery or use Boomerang to record a live event.
- When your story is complete, you can edit it in various ways. If your account is eligible for scanning, there will be a share link icon at the top of the screen. Look for a chain link icon in the middle of the screen, next to the usual editing options.
- Tap Share link. When you select this option, you can simply paste the URL. You cannot link to multiple websites from a single story.
- Add a caption. When your story is complete, Instagram will add a discreet arrow and the caption "See more". It's at the bottom of your page and easy to miss. It is very important to add a proper tag to entice your followers to swipe up. Something like "Swipe up for more info!" will work.
Give specific but brief information about where the link leads. You can use a call to action, here are some other examples:
- Summer sale! Swipe up for more info
- Swipe up to order!
- My opening hours this week – swipe up
Drawing an up arrow can also get the message across. Remember that Instagram stories seem personal and unofficial, so you can also add a joke or pun that matches your brand and the image in question.
You can also simply draw attention to the See More option at the bottom of the page by adding stickers or doodles.
The workaround for small accounts
Users who have no more than 10 followers can take advantage of Instagram's IGTV to get the swipe up feature. However, you will still need a business account to do so.
If you're not already familiar with IGTV, it's Instagram's version of TV. Designed for downloading videos, this will give you the Share Link option we mentioned above.
- Visit your profile and click the search icon at the bottom.
- Click on the IGTV link at the top.
- Click Add at the top left and add the video content.
- Click the share link, add a URL and a caption. Once your video is published, the Swipe Up option should appear for your viewers and subscribers.
Why is this a useful option for businesses?
Stories are becoming popular among all types of businesses that advertise on Instagram. According to internal Instagram data from August 2022, more than half of all business accounts shared at least one story with their followers during the month.
Plus, we know Instagram viewers love these stories. About a third of the most viewed Instagram Stories are from businesses.
People like to interact with brands and companies on their own terms. Offering a swipe option is a good way to get visits to your own website. It also gives people information immediately, without any discomfort. Impulse buying is also easier with the swipe up.
So if you have the follower count for it, it might be a good idea to invest in a pro account. In the long run, the investment will be worth it.
Switch to a professional account
If you're trying to grow your Instagram followers and become an influencer, or have opened your own business, you can change your current account to a business account.
Go to your settings and tap Account. Tap on the option labeled Switch. Choose a professional account. Once done, tap on Business. Instagram will guide you through the verification process. Once approved, you will have the options listed above for swipe up links.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Swipe Up?
Whether you are an influencer or using the platform for marketing, the Swipe Up feature makes it easy for your viewers to navigate to a website. Once you reach 10 subscribers, the feature will appear.
This link helps you drive engagement to your website or even another platform. Once there, viewers can buy your products, learn more about your services, or anything else.
Do I need to be verified to add a link to my Story?
While you can't add a link directly to your story, you can add it to your Instagram bio regardless of your current verified status. Once done, you can add "Link in bio" to your story using the text feature.
