As of this week, you are now able to add URL links in Instagram stories.  This is feature has been quite in demand, not necessarily for Instagram stories but for Instagram posts. I expect an expansion of that feature to include hyperlinks in Instagram posts soon.

How To Add URL Links In Instagram Stories

Viewers can tap a button and instantly be taken to whatever website the creator wants to send them to.

When tapped, this button will open up a browser within Instagram that automatically navigates to whatever website or page the creator has specified.

Creators will add a link at the same time they are creating the Story – after capturing a video or picture there will be a button to add the link – just like there are already buttons to add text or a drawing to a Story.

But Instead of actually showing the URL (which could have created a cluttered experience), Instagram will add a “See More” button to the bottom of any story that has a link added to it. This will keep the photo itself free of ugly links, while still letting users navigate to the link with just one click.

While this does mean users won’t actually see the link they are going to before they click it, Instagram will be blocking inappropriate links, just like they already do with links in profiles.

At launch this feature will only be available to verified Instagram accounts. While there’s a chance it may eventually expand all users, Instagram currently won’t say if or when this will ever happen.

Expect to see this tool used by professional creators who want to direct users to consume content they have created on other platforms, like a video on YouTube or song on SoundCloud. Or celebrities and retailers using Links to direct users to purchase something on an e-commerce site. You’ll also probably see media properties use Links to direct users to read articles on their own website.

H/T Tech Crunch