Instagram’s new URL sticker is rolling out to just about everyone, ditching swipe-up links

Instagram’s link sticker has officially retired the swipe-up gesture as the company has confirmed that the new feature is now being rolled out to almost everyone.

Promotional graphics showing the reshare sticker in Instagram stories on iPhone
Image credit: Instagram

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Instagram’s new URL sticker replaces swipe-up links in stories
  • The swipe-up was limited to verified accounts or those with 10,000+ followers
  • With the URL sticker, almost all users will be able to add links to their stories
  • Being more widely available, the sticker has entirely replaced the swipe-up feature

Instagram’s link sticker is the new swipe-up!

It used to be that you had to have a verified account on Instagram or at least 10,000 followers just to be able to link out to external resources in your stories — but not anymore. Introducing the new link sticker which replaces swipe-up links in stories.

With it, anyone can create links that your followers can touch to open the underlying URL. The key difference between the new link sticker and the swipe-up links it’s replacing, as already mentioned: The link sticker is available to just about anyone whereas the swipe-up used to be historically restricted to accounts with at least 10,000 followers or verified accounts. As a result of limited availability, the swipe-up was mainly used by businesses and high-profile creators.

Instagram said in a statement to TechCrunch:

We made this decision based on feedback we heard from the community about how impactful it would be for creators and businesses of all sizes to benefit from link sharing to grow in the same way larger accounts do.

We said earlier that the new link sticker was available “to just about anyone”, and we meant it. According to Instagram, the link sticker is unavailable to bad actors who use its platform to share misinformation and hate speech.

How to use Instagram’s link sticker

Simply add this sticker to your story like you would any other sticker.

First, touch the sticker icon near the top navigation bar when creating your story. Next, touch the new Link Sticker option and add your custom URL to the sticker. Lastly, place the sticker anywhere on your story. Okay, you can also touch the sticker on your story to see various color designs, but that’s about it.

Now anyone viewing your story can hit the sticker to open the associate website.

The new sticker officially replaces swipe-up links in stories

Instagram began testing the link sticker in stories back in the summer of 2021. In August 2021, parent company Facebook said the test was successful. It subsequently promised to start rolling out the link sticker to everyone beginning August 30. It took a bit longer than that for the sticker to roll out to everyone, obviously.

The important thing is, you now have a better way to send a follower who hits the sticker in your story to an external webpage. And best of all, the sticker is definitely more widely available than the swipe-up ever was or could be.

These link stickers have now entirely replaced swipe-up links.