Instagram has decided to remove the “swipe-up” link in Instagram Stories from August 30. The popular feature has historically allowed high-profile businesses and creators to direct viewers of their story to a link where they can learn more about products, read an article, sign up for a service. Or do whatever the creator wants to promote. The company says that instead of a “swipe-up” call to action, Instagram users who have previously used the feature will be able to use the new Link sticker.
The company said that this sticker was being tested in June with a handful of users. But from August 30, it will start rolling it out more widely.
Instagram says it will begin converting people who currently have access to the swipe-up link to link stickers starting August 30, 2021. It will include businesses and creators that have reached the required follower count.
The new link sticker has one or two significant advantages over the old “swipe-up” link.
For starters, it gives creators more control over their stories.
Like the opinion polls, question, and location stickers, Link sticker lets creators toggle between resize the sticker, different styles and then place it anywhere on the story for maximum engagement. Additionally, viewers will now be able to react and reply to posts that have the Link Sticker attached, just like any other story. Earlier, this kind of reaction was not possible on posts with the swipe-up link, Instagram noted.
While there’s no change as to who will access the Link stickers, Instagram says it is evaluating whether Link access should be expanded to more accounts in the future. The decision to extend access is one that has to be made carefully, however, as it may affect the integrity and security of the app. For example, if bad actors adopted the link sticker, it could spread false or post-spam information. Switching to Link Sticker is the first step in broadening access to share links in Stories if Instagram chooses to go that route.
Instagram states that it offers some significant advantages over the soon-to-be-retired Swipe-up function. First, it gives content creators and companies more control over their stories because link stickers will allow for various styles and sizes and can be placed anywhere on a Story to maximize engagement. On the other hand, the swipe-up feature is always interacted with at the bottom of the story, which can interfere with the design or the message.
In addition, Story viewers will like and reply to posts with link stickers just like any other story. Before the change, users were unable to respond to a story or add feedback, and the only option was to visit the swipe-up destination.
While this update doesn’t change the criteria for who can use the link sticker, Instagram says it is looking at expanding the reach of the feature to more accounts in the future. However, the move will require extensive research and testing as it opens the door for accounts that misuse it to spread false or spam information.
How to Use Instagram Link Stickers
The Instagram swipe-up button is available to people who have more than 10,000 followers on the platform or who have official account. Similarly, Instagram link stickers would be available to those who had access to the swipe-up feature. Just as users can add an external link to a story using swipe Up’s Instagram feature, users will be able to add an external link to a contact sticker. With such stickers, story viewers will be able to tap on them and navigate outward. Along with this, users will also be able to reply to such Instagram stories.