Adding a link requires a business or creator account
You can only add clickable links to Instagram Stories if your account is set to Business or Creator type. Personal accounts cannot link in Stories, even if you have thousands of followers. If you have a personal account and want to add links, you will need to switch account types first.
The reason Instagram restricts this feature is to prevent spam and abuse. Business and Creator accounts go through a verification step, which gives Instagram more information about who is posting. Once you switch, the linking feature becomes available when ready — you do not need to wait for approval.
If you are not sure what type of account you have, open Instagram, tap your profile picture in the bottom right, then tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Look for "Settings and privacy" and then "Account type and tools". You will see which type you currently have.
Key Takeaways
- Only Business and Creator accounts can add links to Stories; Personal accounts cannot, regardless of follower count.
- Switching to a Business or Creator account takes less than a minute and unlocks the link feature when ready.
- You add links using the link sticker, which appears in the sticker menu after you take or upload a Story photo or video.
- The link must be a full web address starting with http:// or https://, and it will open in a browser when someone taps it.
- Links in Stories disappear after 24 hours, so you can use them to promote time-sensitive content without permanent visibility.
How to switch your account to Business or Creator type
Open Instagram and go to your profile. Tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu) in the top right corner, then select "Settings and privacy". Scroll down and tap "Account type and tools". You will see your current account type and an option to switch.
Tap "Switch to professional account" if you see that option. Instagram will ask you to choose between Business and Creator. Business accounts are for people running a company or selling products. Creator accounts are for people building an audience around content — writers, artists, fitness coaches, or anyone else. Either type unlocks Story links, so choose whichever fits what you do.
After you choose, Instagram may ask for a category (like "Fitness" or "Retail") and a contact method. Fill these in honestly — they help people find your account, but they do not lock you into anything. You can change your account type back to Personal anytime, though you will lose the link feature if you do.
Adding a link to a Story you are about to post
Take a photo or video for your Story, or tap the gallery icon to upload one you already have. Once you see the editing screen with all the sticker and text options, look for the sticker icon — it looks like a square smiley face. Tap it to open the sticker menu.
Scroll through the stickers until you see "Link" (it may also say "Add link"). Tap it. A text box will appear asking you to paste or type a web address. The link must start with http:// or https:// — if you just type a domain name without the http part, Instagram will not recognize it as a link.
Paste the full address (for example, https://www.example.com/summer-sale), then tap "Done". The link sticker will appear on your Story. You can move it around, resize it, or change its color by tapping and dragging. When you are ready, tap "Your Story" at the bottom to post it. Anyone who taps the link will be taken to that web address in their phone's browser.
Adding a link to a Story you already posted
If you posted a Story and want to add a link to it now, you cannot edit the original post. Instead, you will need to delete it and repost it with the link included. Open your Story, tap the three dots in the bottom right corner, and select "Delete". Then create the Story again with the link sticker added.
This is why many people add links while creating the Story rather than after. If you think you might want to add a link later, it is faster to add it before you post.
What happens when someone taps your link
When someone taps the link sticker in your Story, their phone opens the web address in Safari (on iPhone) or Chrome (on Android) or whatever their default browser is. They leave Instagram temporarily and land on whatever page you linked to. If they close the browser and come back to Instagram, your Story is still there.
The person who tapped the link does not send you a notification that they did so. You cannot see who clicked your Story links through Instagram itself. If you want to track how many people are clicking, you will need to use a link-tracking tool like Bitly or your own website's analytics, which show you how many clicks a link received.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is forgetting the https:// at the start of the address. If you type "www.example.com" without the https, Instagram will not recognize it as a link and the sticker will not work. Always include the full address starting with http or https.
Another mistake is trying to link to a page that does not exist or has moved. Test your link before you post the Story by copying it into your phone's address bar and making sure it loads. A broken link frustrates people and makes your account look careless.
Do not try to add multiple links in one Story. Instagram allows only one link sticker per Story. If you want to direct people to different places, you will need to post multiple Stories or use different Stories on different days.
Using links for different purposes
Links in Stories work best for time-sensitive content because Stories disappear after 24 hours. You might link to a limited-time sale, a live event happening today, a new blog post, or a sign-up form for something you are launching. Because the link is temporary, people feel more urgency to tap it now rather than later.
You can also use Story links to send people to your website, your online store, a YouTube video, a Spotify playlist, or any other web address. The link does not have to be your own website — it can point anywhere on the internet. Some people link to news articles, other creators' content, or resources they think their audience will find useful.
If you run a business, Story links are a direct path from your content to a sale or sign-up. If you are a creator building an audience, links let you send people to your other platforms — your YouTube channel, your podcast, your newsletter sign-up, or your online portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a link if I have a Personal account with a lot of followers?
No. Instagram restricts Story links to Business and Creator accounts only, regardless of how many followers you have. The account type is what matters, not your follower count. You will need to switch to a Business or Creator account to use the feature.
What if the link I want to add has special characters or is very long?
Paste the full link exactly as it is, including all special characters and parameters. Instagram will accept it. If the link is very long and hard to read, you can use a link shortener like Bitly to create a shorter version, then paste that shorter link into the Story sticker instead.
Do people have to follow me to see and tap my Story links?
No. Anyone who can see your Story can tap the link, whether they follow you or not. If your account is public, anyone can see your Stories. If your account is private, only people you have approved as followers can see them.
Can I see who clicked my Story link?
Instagram does not show you which followers tapped your link. If you want to track clicks, use a link-tracking service like Bitly, or check your website's analytics if you are linking to your own site. Those tools will show you how many clicks the link received.
What if I want to change the link after I post the Story?
You cannot edit a link in a Story that is already posted. You will need to delete the Story and repost it with the new link. This is why it is a good idea to double-check your link before you post.