Instagram is quietly testing a swipe-up linking feature in Stories which finally allows advertisers to direct users to their websites. Because this new feature is still in beta, only verified accounts have access. All of us here at AdvertiseMint are super jazzed about this. Having to move from the app to safari to shop for that perfect product can be such a nuisance.
The swipe-up link appears on the bottom of the screen, denoted by the CTA “See More” and the swipe-up symbol. Because the swipe-up CTA button is hardly noticeable, you can add your own CTA by using the text and highlighting tools Stories offers. Stickers and GIFs are also a fun way to highlight the fact that you are linking to something for your followers.
You can add a swipe-up link in your story by clicking the link symbol from the menu options located on top of the screen. When you click on the link symbol, Instagram will prompt you to add your URL.
This new linking feature is a godsend to perplexed advertisers who are struggling to drive users to their websites from their stories. Because a linking capability isn’t available, advertisers have to create ways to bring users to their websites. If the tests prove successful, the new linking feature will roll out to all advertisers, much to their delight.
2021 Update:
As of June 2021, Instagram is testing letting everybody use the swipe-up link on their Instagram. Whether it is to raise funds for a cause they feel passionate about or to direct their followers to a personal interest of theirs, they are seeing how it would function via a sticker on someone’s story. These will function almost exactly the same as the swipe-up feature described earlier, except they are a sticker. This means that you have to click on it and follow the link rather than swiping up. Depending if people don’t use this for spam and it seems to be promising for Instagram’s platform, we may see more linking throughout our time perusing social media stories. Posts will likely remain linkless, however.
Who Can Use the Swipe-Up Feature in June 2021?
Until Instagram steps on the gas for the linking feature for everyone, the swipe-up feature is quite limited to the Instagram user population. Only verified users or business users with over 10,000 followers can use the swipe-up feature.
Otherwise, if you want to send your followers to a link, you should put the link in the website portion of your Instagram bio. It can help to alert those to a website change or update in your bio by posting about it on your story.
Another go-around Instagram’s linking prerequisites is through utilizing the IGTV feature. You can add the link to whatever quick (and relevant) video of your choice that you may have in your arsenal.
However, if you have access to the feature in question, it is definitely your best bet to use it. Whether you’re trying to promote your landing page, a new product, or give someone a shout-out, this linking ends in results. You will know whether you have access to this feature quite easily. As soon as you go to your story. you should be able to see the link icon. When you click on it, it should prompt you to put in the link you want your followers to see.
You can also link to specific products, shops, and collections if those are relevant to what you are hoping to be promoting. This is an incredible marketing tactic to generate more leads and conversions. Especially if you are posting a story often, you should be reaching more and more people because Instagram’s algorithm rewards those who frequently use their platform. Keep in mind, if you do want to link to specific products, shops, and collections, you should turn on the Instagram shopping feature on your account. This allows for users to check out directly within the app.
It also offers the option to tag a business partner. If you are doing a sponsored story, you should absolutely take advantage of this open field. When you go to tag them, your story will also automatically have the “paid content” button.
What do you think of Instagram’s swipe-up linking feature? Let us know in the comments section below.
