Meta is testing clickable links in Instagram captions for verified subscribers

Instagram has long limited users’ ability to share links, limiting link sharing to Stories, Reels, and user profiles. But that could now change. The company has started testing clickable links in post captions for Meta Verified subscribers.

The new feature, which is a long-requested update by creators, was spotted by blogger Andrea Valeria, who posted screenshots of a clickable Substack link she was able to add to an Instagram post. According to Valeria, an in-app message indicated that she could share up to 10 links per month.

Meta confirmed to Engadget that it is testing links in subtitles for Meta Verified subscribers, but did not provide details on how many people will have access to the feature or whether it will be widely available. This seems somewhat limited, however, as the link on Valeria’s post appears on Instagram’s mobile app, but now when viewing the same post on Instagram’s website.

Instagram’s restrictions on link sharing have been a notable part of the platform since its beginnings. This limitation helped launch an entire industry of “links in bio” platforms like Linktree, which help creators direct their followers to off-platform websites based on what they share on Instagram. If Meta starts implementing this feature at scale, it could dramatically change the way creators can interact with their followers (although a limit of 10 links per month would likely still require “link in bio” solutions).

The test is also the latest way Meta has experimented with making link sharing a paid feature. The company also recently tested restricting creators’ ability to share links on Facebook by requiring a Meta Verified subscription. Meta Verified for Creators starts at $14.99 per month, with the most expensive plans costing $499.99 per month.