📷 Image Credit: The Verge 👆
By: Ashley Carman

TL: DR Every user on Instagram can now put links in their story, enabling a more inclusive community for those businesses and individuals looking to grow their accounts!

Instagram is starting to allow users to post a swipe-up link to their story. The new test for the platform could drastically change how stories are used. This is exciting news! This swipe-up is different from the original feature and instead offers a sticker instead of a swipe. Users will also be able to respond to stories that include the sticker, a feature that was unavailable before, for the stories with the link swipe-up.

This new feature could genuinely change the dynamic of how profiles interact with each other. Only accounts with 10,000 followers or more could link various things to their stories which made this tool very selective. Now, it’ll give more access to smaller businesses, organizations, nonprofits, and individuals who want to grow their brand and their platform base. According to Vishal Shah, the test is to help people learn how to take advantage of links. Instagram will be watching the category of users and the links they post while keeping a close watch on who is spreading misinformation and spamming. Shah also says that keeping the sticker, even for those with 10k + followers, is the ultimate.

Using links in stories gives each user a voice and reach on the platform and overall creates a more inclusive environment that’s not limited to follower count. What is your take on the new feature? Do you think users will be consistently using it? Let us know in the comments below!

Written by: Naia Mader, Intern

Edited by: Lisa Knight, COO & Mentor