Meta began testing clickable links in Instagram post captions for Meta Verified subscribers.
The feature represents a shift for Instagram, which has historically restricted clickable links to Stories, Reels, and user profiles. The test could alter how creators direct followers to off-platform content. It may also impact the market for “link in bio” services like Linktree.
Andrea Valeria spotted the test and posted screenshots showing a clickable Substack link in an Instagram post. According to Valeria, an in-app message indicated users can share up to 10 links per month. The link appears only on Instagram’s mobile app and not on the website.
Meta confirmed to Engadget that it is testing links in captions for Meta Verified subscribers. The company did not specify how many users have access or plans for wide availability. Meta Verified for creators starts at $14.99 per month, with the most expensive plans costing $499.99 per month.
Instagram’s link restrictions previously spurred the growth of third-party platforms like Linktree. If widely implemented, the feature could change creator-follower interactions, though a 10-link monthly limit may still require external solutions. Meta has also tested restricting link-sharing on Facebook to Meta Verified subscribers.
