Instagram is testing new feature to allow everyone to post links in stories

The Verge reports that Instagram is testing a new feature that would all users to post links in their stories. At the moment, verified and accounts with 10,000 plus followers can only post links in their stories. So, the new feature will widen sharing links on the platform.

Instagram stories are a very widely used feature. Recently, Twitter allowed users to directly share tweets in their social media stories. Previously, it offered direct sharing on Snapchat.

Instagram might let everyone post links as stickers

Instagram is not only testing the expansion of links, it also exploring new ways to post them and interact with stories including links. Unlike the currently used ‘Swipe-up’ link feature, the platform will allow all users to post links as stickers. With a simple tap on the linking stickers, users will access the linked account and also respond to stories with include stickers.

Vishal Shah, Instagram’s head of product told The Verge that the test sample is small and it is primarily to learn what types of links users will share.

For now, the test is small and it’s mostly to learn how people might take advantage of links. They’ll be watching for the types of links people post while keeping a particular eye on misinformation and spam. Plus, stickers, he says, fit more into the current way people use the platform, so he says this test “brings links into the same kind of overall system, which from a simplicity of system perspective, also makes a lot of sense.”

He adds that link stickers are the eventual goal for Instagram, whether that be for everyone or just people who already have linking privileges. “That is the sort of future system we would like to get to,” he says. “And that’s what we hope to roll out, if we’re able to make this work.”

Shah also said that links will be limited to stories and will not appear on any other section like the feed or search of the app. The testing is for accounts with a voice and presence but not a verified status or 10,000 followers. so, they can direct people to websites.