How to add a link to your Instagram Story: Best practices

Best practices for using Instagram link stickers

Here are 10 best practices for adding a link clickable sticker to your stories:

1. Keep the link text short and clear
2. Place the link sticker in a visible spot
3. Use colors and design to make it stand out
4. Match the link to the story content
5. Create urgency with time-sensitive language
6. Test different placements and CTAs
7. Use link stickers across multiple story slides
8. Pair link stickers with engagement features
9. Save high-performing links in Highlights
10. Track clicks and measure performance

1. Keep the link text short and clear

Your Instagram link sticker should have text that is easy to read and understand at a glance. People quickly scroll through Instagram Stories, so you want to grab their attention fast. 

Instead of using long, vague phrases like “Click here to see more details,” keep it simple and direct with short CTAs like “Shop Now,” “Read More,” or “Get Yours.” The clearer the message, the more likely people are to tap the link. If the text is too long, it might get cut off or be harder to read on smaller screens, making it less effective. 

Keep it simple and to the point so that it fits naturally within the story without looking cluttered.

2. Place the link sticker in a visible spot

Where you put your Instagram link sticker can make a big difference in how many people see it and interact with it. 

If the sticker is placed too low, it might overlap with the direct message bar at the bottom of the screen, making it difficult for users to tap on it. If it’s placed too high, it could be covered by your profile photo or other elements in the story.

The best practice is to position the clickable link somewhere in the lower third of the screen, but not too close to the edges. If your story has a lot of text or important visuals, make sure the Instagram Story link sticker isn’t blocking them. Instead, place it where it naturally fits into the layout without being distracting.

You can also experiment with different placements to see what works best. Try keeping it in a consistent spot across multiple slides so that viewers get used to looking for it in the same place. The goal is to make the Instagram link easy to find without interfering with the rest of your story’s content.

3. Use colors and design to make it stand out

If your Instagram link sticker blends into the background, people might not notice it. The key is to make it stand out without making it look out of place. Instagram allows you to change the sticker text color, so choose one that contrasts with your background while still fitting your brand’s aesthetic.

If your story has a light-colored background, go for a darker Instagram link sticker to make it more visible. If your background is dark, use a lighter color for the clickable link. The idea is to make sure the sticker doesn’t disappear into the background.

You can also add visual cues to draw attention to the Instagram Story link sticker. Some effective techniques include:

• Adding arrows pointing toward the sticker
• Using a design element like a circle or underline around it
• Placing a small animation or sticker near the link sticker to highlight it

When the clickable link is easy to spot, more people will engage with it, leading to higher link taps and better results for your Instagram Stories.

4. Match the link to the story content

Nothing is worse than clicking a link sticker and ending up somewhere unexpected. If your story is about a new blog post, the link should go directly to that post, not just your homepage. 

If you’re showing off a product, send people to that exact product page instead of a general website link. Keeping the Instagram Story link sticker relevant to the story content builds trust and makes it more likely that people will follow through. 

If users feel like they’re being misled, they might not tap on your links in the future.

5. Create urgency with time-sensitive language

Since Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours, using time-sensitive language can encourage people to act fast. 

Phrases like “Limited Time Only,” “Ends Soon,” or “Only a Few Left” can create a sense of urgency and make people feel like they need to click the link now instead of waiting. 

This is especially useful for promotions, product drops, or event sign-ups. If your Instagram link sticker feels optional, people might ignore it, but if it seems urgent, they’ll be more likely to take action.

6. Test different placements and CTAs

Not every Instagram link sticker will perform the same way, so it’s important to experiment with different placements and sticker text to see what works best. Some placements might result in more link taps, while others might be overlooked.

To find the most effective approach, try testing:

• Different sticker text (“Shop Now” vs. “Get Yours”)
• Various placements (top, middle, bottom)
• Different designs (color changes, added arrows)

You can use Instagram Insights to track which versions of your Instagram Story link stickers are getting the most clicks. By testing and adjusting based on results, you can improve engagement and get more people to tap your links.

7. Use link stickers across multiple story slides

Not everyone taps on a link sticker the first time they see it. If you want to increase engagement, include the Instagram Story link sticker on multiple slides instead of just one.

For example, if you’re promoting a blog post, you could:

1. Use the first slide to introduce the topic
2. Use the second slide to highlight key points
3. Use the third slide with the clickable link to encourage people to read more

When spreading the Instagram link sticker across multiple slides, you give users multiple chances to tap on the link, which can lead to better results.

8. Pair link stickers with engagement features

Engagement tools like polls, questions, and emoji sliders make your Instagram Stories more interactive. 

If someone interacts with your story first, they’re more likely to also tap your Instagram link sticker. For example, if you’re promoting a product, you could add a poll asking “Which color do you like best?” before adding the link sticker to shop. 

Using multiple interactive elements together makes the story more engaging and encourages users to take action.

9. Save high-performing links in Highlights

Since Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours, saving high-performing ones in Story Highlights allows people to access them later.

You can create highlights for different categories like:

• Blog posts
• Current products
• FAQs
• Promotions

By keeping these stories available longer, you give users more opportunities to tap the link even after the original story has expired.

10. Track clicks and measure performance

If you’re adding Instagram link stickers but not tracking how they perform, you’re flying blind. Head to Instagram Insights to see how many people tapped the link, how many viewed the story but didn’t click, and whether certain placements or CTAs worked better than others.

Here’s how to make adjustment in your Instagram link sticker design: 

• Lots of views but few clicks? Try a clearer CTA or move the sticker to a more noticeable spot.
• People leaving before the link appears? Place the Instagram Story link sticker earlier in your story.
• One phrase gets more taps? Stick with it for future stories.
• A specific placement performs better? Keep it consistent so followers know where to find it.

Tracking what works (and what doesn’t) helps you fine-tune your approach, so you’re not just hoping people click, you’re making it easy for them to do it.

Frequently asked questions