Adding links to Stories used to be reserved only for “the chosen ones.” But now Instagram is finally enabling everyone to add links to their Stories and redirect their audience to their work outside the platform. At the same time, some changes are coming to the feature, but it will be available to many more users than before.
Whether you’re an average Instagram user or an active creator of any sort, you know how it works: not everyone can add links to their Stories. You either have to have above 10,000 followers or a verified account. However, we heard it through the grapevine that Instagram was to unlock this feature to more users. The company later confirmed it, adding that it started as a small test. “That is the sort of future system we would like to get to,” Instagram’s head of product Vishal Shah said at the time. “That’s what we hope to roll out, if we’re able to make this work.” Well, apparently, they did make it work.
Now for the new link format. Back in August, App researcher Jane Manchun Wong noticed that the app was ditching swipe-up links in favor of stickers. Vishal Shah later confirmed it and we’re already seeing them on Instagram. Personally, I find this format way more convenient and certainly more customizable than swipe-up links.
Still, those link stickers were also only available to verified accounts or those with over 10,000 followers. But from now on, way more users will have the access to them. Not everyone though: those that often share misinformation and hate speech will be blocked from using the feature, according to Engadget. New accounts won’t be able to use it either. Although, I’m not sure how long your account is considered “new.”
The inability to use links in Stories was one of the things I hated the most on Instagram. So, as you can imagine, I’m really glad they changed it. I’m still not seeing the feature, but my guess is that it will roll out to everyone over the following week, as it usually happens with new features. And just like posting from desktop, this is one of Instagram options that I will gladly embrace and definitely use often.
[via Engadget]
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