You need a business or creator account to add links to stories
Instagram only lets you add clickable links in stories if your account is set to Business or Creator mode. Personal accounts cannot add links, even if you have thousands of followers. If you are on a personal account, you will need to switch first — this takes about two minutes and does not change how your profile looks to other people.
To check what type of account you have, open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Account type and tools. If it says "Personal account", you will see an option to switch to Business or Creator. Tap it, choose Business or Creator (Creator is better if you are not selling products), and follow the prompts to add a category.
Once you have switched, the link feature will be available the next time you create a story. You do not need to wait or refresh the app.
Key Takeaways
- Only Business and Creator accounts can add links to stories; Personal accounts cannot, and switching accounts takes about two minutes.
- The link tool appears as a chain icon in the story editor and lets you paste any URL — website, product page, or external link.
- The link appears as a tappable sticker that viewers can swipe up on, and you can resize or reposition it like any other story element.
- Links work on both iPhone and Android, but viewers must have the latest version of Instagram to see and tap them reliably.
How to add the link sticker while creating a story
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon, then tap Your story to start a new story. Take a photo or video, or upload one from your camera roll. Once you have your image or video, you will see a row of icons at the bottom of the screen — these are the editing tools.
Swipe left on that row of icons until you see a chain link symbol (it looks like two connected links). Tap it. A text box will appear asking you to paste or type a URL. Paste the full link you want to share — for example, https://www.example.com or a link to a product page, article, or any other website. Tap Done or Add link depending on your version of Instagram.
The link will now appear as a sticker on your story, usually near the bottom. You can tap and drag it to move it anywhere on the image or video. Pinch to resize it if it is too large or too small. When you are happy with the placement, tap Your story at the bottom left to post it.
What viewers see and how they tap the link
When someone views your story, they will see a small sticker or banner with text like "Link" or the title of the page you linked to, depending on how Instagram displays it. The sticker will have a small arrow or indicator showing it is tappable. To open the link, viewers swipe up on the sticker — this is the same gesture used for other interactive story features.
If a viewer swipes up but nothing happens, they may not have the latest version of Instagram installed. Ask them to update the app from the App Store or Google Play Store. Links also do not work if the URL is broken or if the website is down, so test your link before posting by copying it into a web browser.
Viewers can see the link sticker even if they do not follow you, as long as they can see your story. The link opens in a web browser or in the app that handles that type of link — for example, a YouTube link might open in the YouTube app if it is installed.
Troubleshooting: the link tool is not appearing
If you do not see the chain link icon in the story editor, check three things. First, confirm you are on a Business or Creator account by going to Settings and privacy > Account type and tools. If it still says Personal, the switch may not have finished processing — wait a few minutes and restart the app.
Second, make sure you have the latest version of Instagram. Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android), search for Instagram, and tap Update if it is available. An older version of the app may not show the link tool even on a Business account.
Third, if you are using a third-party app or tool to create stories, that tool may not support Instagram's native link feature. Stick to the official Instagram app to add links.
Editing or removing a link from a story before you post
Before you post your story, you can change or remove the link. Tap the link sticker on your story preview. A menu will appear with options to edit or delete it. Tap Edit to change the URL, or tap the trash icon to remove the sticker entirely. Make your change and tap Done.
Once you post the story, you cannot edit the link. You can only delete the entire story and create a new one with the correct link. This is why it is worth testing the link in a browser before posting — it takes 10 seconds and saves you from having to delete and repost.
Links in stories expire after 24 hours
Instagram stories disappear after 24 hours, so any link you add will only be tappable for that time. If you want the link to stay active longer, consider adding it to your profile bio instead, or posting it as a regular feed post with a caption. Feed posts do not disappear and can stay linked indefinitely.
If you post the same story to your Highlights (the saved stories that appear below your bio), the link will still work as long as the Highlight exists. However, links in Highlights are less visible than links in active stories, so use them as a backup rather than your main way to share a link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a link to a story if I have a personal account?
No. Only Business and Creator accounts can add links to stories. You will need to switch your account type first, which you can do in Settings and privacy under Account type and tools. The switch takes a few minutes and does not change how your profile looks to other people.
What happens if I link to a website that is down or broken?
Viewers who tap the link will see an error message. Test your link in a web browser before posting your story to make sure it works. If you realize the link is broken after posting, delete the story and create a new one with the correct URL.
Can viewers see where a link goes before they tap it?
Not always. Instagram shows the link sticker but may not display the full URL. Viewers will see a preview of the page after they tap it, but they cannot see the destination before tapping. Be clear in your story caption about what the link leads to so viewers know what to expect.
Do I need a certain number of followers to add links?
No. As long as your account is set to Business or Creator, you can add links to stories regardless of how many followers you have. The feature is available to all Business and Creator accounts.
Can I add multiple links to one story?
Yes. You can add more than one link sticker to a single story by repeating the process — tap the chain link icon, paste a URL, and place it on your story. However, too many links can make your story look cluttered, so use them sparingly.