The lack of links in Stories and posts is one of the things I really wish Instagram would change. Judging from the current test – it just might. As of today, some users are able to add links to their Stories and it might soon become available for everyone.
If you use Instagram, you probably know that not everyone has the swipe-up link option. You have to have above 10,000 followers or a verified account to be able to get this feature. However, Instagram’s new test allows a limited number of users to add links to Stories even if they’re not among the “chosen ones.” As a part of the test, users can add a linking sticker to their Stories. So, it’s not a swipe-up link, but it’s still a feature many would find useful. Instead of swiping up, viewers can tap on the sticker and visit the link.
Speaking with The Verge, Instagram’s head of product Vishal Shah said that the test is small for now. It was started mostly to learn how people would use the links and take advantage of this feature. He added that link stickers “are the eventual goal for Instagram,” both for those who have the swipe-up link option and those who don’t. “That is the sort of future system we would like to get to,” Vishal said, “and that’s what we hope to roll out, if we’re able to make this work.”
The Verge notes that the link stickers will stay limited to Stories and Instagram still doesn’t plan to bring them to feed posts (or anywhere else, for that matter). But still, I cheer for the feature to pass the test and become available globally.
Personally, I would make the most use of it on the account connected to my Serbian blog. I use Linktree right now, but I’d love to be able to add a link to each new post to Stories. I think photographers could benefit from it as well, as they can direct their audience to projects, collaborations, YouTube videos, or whatever they publish out of Instagram. All in all, I think this is a useful feature and I’ll keep my fingers crossed to get it.
[via The Verge]
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