Instagram currently limits the ability to share links in Stories to those who have a verified account and have at least 10,000 followers. This type of users can post links to their Stories in the form of a swipe-up design, but Instagram is apparently experimenting with a new feature designed to let you share links in a different manner.
The service confirmed to The Verge today that it is testing letting users insert links to Stories through a sticker. This capability is available to a small set of users for now and Instagram aims to gain an understanding of how people will use this feature, as per Vishal Shah, Instagram’s head of product. The new capability removes the need to swipe up on your screen to open a link; instead, you will only need to tap on a sticker.
And unlike in swipe-up Stories where you can"t make a response, the new linking sticker will let you respond to a Story. Shah also disclosed that the test is intended to analyze the types of links people share to their Stories while also preventing misinformation and spam.
If you"re hoping links will come to other parts of the service such as comments and captions anytime soon, Instagram noted that there"s no plan for that as of yet. There"s also no word yet as to when Instagram plans to roll out the new feature more widely.
Source: The Verge