You've probably seen other brands touting products and services through links in their Instagram stories. But when you go to schedule some for your business, that option doesn't seem to exist. What gives?
This post has been updated as of 11/30/21 — click here to read.
What are Instagram story links?
Currently in the testing phase, links inside of Instagram stories are still relatively new. This feature allows users to add links to their stories, whether they’re videos or pictures. These links appear at the bottom of the story as the phrase “See More,” and followers can easily swipe up to visit the linked web page.
Having linkable Instagram stories is a great option for a business, since it makes promoting products and services on a website that much easier. But you might have noticed that not everyone has the option to add links to their Instagram stories.
How do I get qualified to add links to Instagram stories?
There are currently only two ways to “earn” the option to add links into Instagram stories: Either have 10,000+ followers or have a verified account.
Links in Instagram stories were originally only available to users with a huge number of followers. Over time, Instagram lowered the number to the only slightly more reasonable number of 10,000 and added the feature for verified users, too. There is a no real method to becoming a verified user. Instagram decides by their own (elusive) guidelines who is worthy of a verified badge and only gives it out to “some public figures, celebrities and brands.”
What else can I do for my business on Instagram?
If you don’t meet any of Instagram’s standards for adding links to stories, don’t fret. Since this feature has been slowly rolling out across the social media platform for more and more users, it’s likely to eventually become available for everyone. Until then, there are still a few ways that you can improve your business’s Instagram:
- Make your Instagram feed look more professional.
- Tag other companies to build a network on Instagram.
- Schedule posts ahead so your profile will always look fresh and updated.
If you’d like more specific help with your social media, reach out to our Website Support Team and we’ll set something up.
