Instagram Stories are on the rise and have become a major marketing tool for businesses worldwide. Out of the 500 million daily active Instagram users, 250 million use Instagram Stories daily. They provide a quick and engaging way to connect with your audience, promote products, and increase brand awareness.
But, did you know that adding links to your Instagram Stories may actually reduce engagement? After conducting our own experiment, we found that Instagram Story engagement significantly decreased when links were added. In this blog post, we’ll reveal the shocking truth and provide some tips to increase engagement on your Instagram Stories.
The Experiment
We decided to conduct our own experiment by creating two identical Instagram Stories with the same content and images. The only difference was that the first Story had a link added to it, and the second did not. We then tracked the engagement on both Stories and found some interesting results.
The Story without the link received significantly more views, taps forwards, and taps backward than the Story with the link. The Story with the link had a 25% decrease in views, a 17% decrease in taps forward, and a 36% decrease in taps backward.
The Reason Behind the Decrease in Engagement
The decrease in engagement can be attributed to a few reasons. Firstly, adding a link to your Instagram Story creates an additional step for the viewer to take. They have to swipe up, which requires a bit more effort than simply tapping on the screen. This may discourage some users from engaging with your content.
Secondly, adding a link to your Instagram Story may make it look more like an ad, which can turn off some viewers. If you want to keep your engagement high, it’s important to keep your Instagram Stories engaging, authentic, and relatable.
The Solution
So, what’s the solution? Does this mean you should never add links to your Instagram Stories? No, not at all. Links can be a great way to drive traffic to your website, promote products, and increase conversions. However, it’s important to use them strategically and creatively.
Here are some tips to increase engagement on your Instagram Stories:
1. Keep it Simple
Make your Instagram Story easy to understand and navigate. Use simple and clear language, and use visuals to help guide your audience. Don’t overcomplicate things or try to cram too much information into one Story.
2. Use Call to Actions
Use engaging call to actions in your Instagram Story to encourage viewers to interact with your content. Rather than just saying “Swipe Up”, use phrases like “Tap and Explore” or “Discover More”. Get creative and make your call to actions fun and exciting.
3. Create Engaging Content
Create engaging content that resonates with your audience. Use images and videos that are high-quality, engaging, and relatable. Don’t be afraid to showcase your personality and be authentic.
4. Use Stickers and GIFs
Use stickers and GIFs to make your Instagram Story more engaging and interactive. You can use stickers to create polls, ask questions, or add a countdown timer. Get creative and have fun with it.
5. Use Swipe Up Links Sparingly
Use Swipe Up links sparingly and only when necessary. Don’t add a link just for the sake of it. Make sure the link adds value and is relevant to the content in your Instagram Story.
6. Use Link in Bio Instead
Lastly, instead of adding a link to your Instagram Story, use the “Link in Bio” feature. You can update the link in your bio regularly to promote new products or campaigns. Plus, it’s a great way to drive traffic to your website and increase conversions.
Conclusion
Adding links to your Instagram Stories may decrease engagement, but it doesn’t mean you should never use them. By using them strategically and creatively, you can still drive traffic to your website, promote products, and increase conversions. Remember to keep your content engaging, authentic, and relatable, and use call to actions, stickers, and GIFs to make your Instagram Story more interactive. Finally, use the “Link in Bio” feature to promote new products or campaigns and drive traffic to your website.