How to Use the “Swipe Up” Feature in Instagram Stories
Instagram has long been a powerful platform for brands, influencers, and everyday users to connect with their audience through visually engaging content. One of the most popular and useful features for driving traffic and increasing engagement on Instagram Stories is the “Swipe Up” feature. This tool allows users to share links directly within their Stories, making it easy for followers to access websites, articles, product pages, and more by simply swiping up on the Story.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to use the Swipe Up feature, who can access it, and some best practices to make the most out of this Instagram tool.
1. What Is the Instagram Swipe Up Feature?
The Instagram “Swipe Up” feature is a tool that allows you to add an external link to your Instagram Story. Instead of directing followers to your bio for a link (as many users do in regular posts), you can encourage them to simply swipe up on your Story to access a website, product page, blog, or other external content.
When users swipe up, they are seamlessly taken to the URL you’ve attached without leaving the Instagram app, making it an efficient way to drive traffic to your website or content.
2. Who Can Use the Swipe Up Feature?
While the Swipe Up feature is incredibly useful, it’s not available to all Instagram users. There are certain requirements you must meet to access the Swipe Up option:
- Business Account: You need to have an Instagram Business account to use the Swipe Up feature. If you’re currently using a personal account, you can switch to a Business account in your settings under “Account.”
- 10,000 Followers: Instagram requires users to have at least 10,000 followers to enable the Swipe Up feature in their Stories. This is to ensure that the feature is reserved for those with a sizable audience, particularly businesses, brands, and influencers who are looking to direct followers to external content.
- Verified Accounts: If you have a verified account (indicated by the blue checkmark), you can use the Swipe Up feature, even if you don’t meet the 10,000 follower threshold. Verified accounts are typically held by public figures, brands, and celebrities.
If you don’t meet these requirements, you can still drive traffic to external sites by adding links to your bio and directing followers there in your Stories.
3. How to Add the Swipe Up Feature to Your Instagram Story
Once you have access to the Swipe Up feature, adding it to your Instagram Story is easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Step 1: Create Your Story
Start by creating a new Instagram Story. You can do this by tapping on your profile picture in the top left corner of your Instagram home screen, or by swiping right from your feed to open the camera. You can take a new photo or video, or upload one from your camera roll.
Step 2: Add a Link
After you’ve created or uploaded your Story content, follow these steps to add a Swipe Up link:
- Tap the Link icon (which looks like a chain link) at the top of your screen. This option will only appear if your account qualifies for the Swipe Up feature.
- A new screen will appear where you can add the URL of the website you want to link to. Simply paste or type in the link you want to share.
- Tap Done or the checkmark to save the link.
Step 3: Add a Call to Action (CTA)
Even though Instagram will show an arrow and the text “See More” at the bottom of the screen to indicate the swipe-up function, it’s a good idea to make your own Call to Action (CTA) to encourage users to swipe up. Some effective CTA examples include:
- “Swipe up for more details!”
- “Swipe up to shop now!”
- “Swipe up to read the full article!”
- “Swipe up to watch the full video!”
You can add text, GIFs, or stickers to your Story to draw attention to the Swipe Up feature. Placing a clear CTA is crucial, as it prompts your audience to take the action you want them to.
Step 4: Post Your Story
Once your link and CTA are in place, you can either share your Story immediately or schedule it for later using tools like Facebook Creator Studio. Once live, your followers will be able to swipe up to access the link.
4. Best Practices for Using the Swipe Up Feature
While the Swipe Up feature is an excellent tool for driving traffic, it’s important to use it strategically to maximize engagement and conversions. Here are some best practices to ensure you get the most out of this feature:
1. Offer Value to Your Audience
Before you ask your followers to swipe up, make sure you’re offering them something of value. Whether you’re directing them to an exclusive sale, a helpful blog post, or a must-watch video, your link should provide meaningful content that resonates with your audience. Avoid sending followers to generic or irrelevant pages, as this can reduce trust and engagement.
2. Keep the Story Visuals Engaging
To increase the chances of users swiping up, make sure your Instagram Story is visually appealing. Use bright colors, clear text, and compelling images or videos that grab attention. You can also use Instagram’s built-in features like filters, stickers, and GIFs to make your Story more engaging and fun.
If possible, show a preview or tease of what users will see when they swipe up. For example, if you’re promoting a blog post, show a snippet of the article or a compelling quote. If you’re linking to a product, show a close-up of the item with a brief description.
3. Use Clear and Compelling CTAs
As mentioned earlier, having a clear CTA is essential. While Instagram includes a “See More” prompt at the bottom of your Story, it’s better to customize the CTA to fit your audience and message. Be direct and enthusiastic when encouraging users to swipe up, and consider using language that creates a sense of urgency, such as “limited time offer” or “only available for 24 hours.”
4. Don’t Overuse the Swipe Up Feature
It’s tempting to add Swipe Up links to every Story, but overusing the feature can lead to audience fatigue. Instead, save it for the most important content, such as product launches, limited-time offers, or exclusive content that will genuinely interest your followers. This keeps your links feeling special and increases the likelihood that followers will engage with them.
5. Track Your Swipe Up Metrics
Tracking the performance of your Stories and Swipe Up links is key to understanding what works and what doesn’t. Use Instagram Insights to monitor the number of people who viewed your Story and how many swiped up. This data can help you optimize your content, refine your CTAs, and improve your overall Instagram Story strategy.
If you’re using UTM parameters in your links, you can track traffic and conversions in tools like Google Analytics, which provides more detailed information on how users interact with your content once they’ve swiped up.
5. Swipe Up Alternatives for Accounts Without 10,000 Followers
If you don’t have 10,000 followers or a verified account, you won’t have access to the Swipe Up feature. However, there are alternative ways to drive traffic from Instagram Stories:
1. Link in Bio
One of the most common methods is directing your followers to the link in your bio. You can update the link in your Instagram bio to reflect the content you want to share and use your Stories to prompt followers to click the link.
For example, you might say, “Check out the new blog post—link in bio!” or “Our new collection just dropped! Tap the link in bio to shop!”
2. IGTV Links
Instagram allows users to add links to their IGTV videos, and anyone can share those IGTV videos in their Stories. This provides a workaround if you want to share links via Stories, as you can prompt followers to swipe up to watch your IGTV video, which can include a link in the description.
3. Instagram Story Ads
Another way to add links to your Stories without meeting the follower threshold is by using Instagram Story ads. With a business account, you can create Story ads that include links, allowing users to swipe up and visit your landing page or website. While this involves paying for ad placement, it’s a great option for businesses looking to promote products or services.
6. Examples of Swipe Up Usage
To give you a better idea of how to effectively use the Swipe Up feature, here are a few examples:
1. E-commerce Brands
An online clothing retailer might use the Swipe Up feature to showcase a new collection. Their Story might include several photos or videos of the latest products, followed by a CTA like, “Swipe up to shop our new arrivals!” The link would take followers directly to the product page where they can make a purchase.
2. Content Creators and Influencers
A travel blogger could use the Swipe Up feature to share a new blog post about their latest trip. Their Story could include a sneak peek of the post with beautiful travel photos and a CTA like, “Swipe up to read about my adventure in Bali!” This drives traffic to their blog, increasing readership and engagement.
3. Service-Based Businesses
A personal trainer might use the Swipe Up feature to promote an upcoming fitness webinar. Their Story could include a countdown sticker and a video invitation, followed by a CTA like, “Swipe up to sign up for the webinar!” This helps generate leads and boosts participation in the event.
Conclusion
The Instagram Swipe Up feature is a powerful tool for driving traffic, increasing engagement, and connecting your audience with valuable content. Whether you’re promoting a product, sharing a blog post, or encouraging sign-ups for an event, the Swipe Up feature offers a seamless and effective way to direct your followers to external links.
