Instagram has started a new test that could widen the ability to add swipe-up links to stories. And it’s not a swipe up, instead, it’s a sticker. These stickers will function similarly to the current swipe-up except with a tap instead. Another good aspect is that, now, one can also respond to stories that include a sticker, which they can’t currently do with stories that have a swipe up.
Vishal Shah, Instagram’s head of product, did mention that they’ll keep a close watch on the types of links people post while keeping a particular eye on misinformation and spam.
As of now, Instagram has kept the swipe-up feature exclusively to those users who are verified and have at least 10,000 followers. However, Shah 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.” This test seems mostly targeted at people who’ve found a voice and reach on the platform, but maybe not to the levels that Instagram requires to gain swipe-up privileges.
