Instagram Begins Retiring Swipe Up Feature Next Week

Instagram restricts Swipe Up link option to users only (photo: Gabrielle Henderson/Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Some time ago Instagram was shocked that they had removed the swipe up feature to open external link sites. Starting next week the company's new policy will be implemented, replacing it with a link sticker.

The news of the change was first reported by The Verge, quoted by Slashgear, Tuesday, August 24, who saw a new banner containing an announcement about the change. Instagram has also confirmed the news.

Later, users will be able to add a link sticker to their stories that other users can tap to open external link sites. When compared to the swipe up mechanism, the use of stickers to load links offers its own advantages.

For example, users can choose various shapes and sizes of stickers, then place them anywhere in Stories to increase the interest of their followers. Reportedly, Instagram is considering providing a link sticker feature not only for businesses or users who already have swipe up privileges, but also other users in general.

For information, Instagram has actually started testing the sticker feature that contains a link to the website since last June. However, Stickers will still be limited to certain users.

Previously, Instagram restricted the Swipe Up link option to users with over 10,000 followers and the upcoming link sticker is claimed to have the same policy.