Snapchat, with its 375 million active daily users, is one of the most popular platforms for socializing and sharing information. But, shockingly, users couldn’t share links up until recently.
Fortunately, that’s changed!
Adding links to social media posts gives the poster a chance to share information: great news articles, hotel recommendations, funny videos—anything they think their followers will find valuable.
For businesses, this new feature presents a stellar opportunity to direct followers to their websites and ecommerce stores, leading to more conversions and (ideally) more sales.
This step-by-step guide will get your brand up to speed and linking like a hardcore Snapchat influencer in no time.
How to add a link to Snapchat Stories or Snaps
A great Snapchat marketing campaign can help boost a company’s social media presence and reach a wider group of consumers. Using links should be an integral part of the plan. Below are some easy-to-follow steps for adding links to your Snapchat Stories. (Note: These instructions work for both iPhone and Android phone users.)
Step 1: Open Snapchat (update the app if necessary)
To access this feature, you need to have the most updated version of Snapchat. Update your app if necessary, then open it.
Step 2: Record a Snap
Create your Snap. The paperclip doesn’t show up until after you take a photo or record a video, so don’t be alarmed if you can’t add a link right away.
Step 3: Find and tap the paperclip icon
Look for the paperclip on the toolbar along the right-hand side of the screen.
Step 4: Attach the link to the Snap
Tap on the paperclip, and a new screen with a field for a URL will pop up. Type the URL you’d like to link to. If you don’t know the URL by heart, open your web browser, navigate to the web page, and copy the address. Go back into the Snapchat app and paste it into the URL field.
Step 5: Make final edits to the Snap
Edit your Snap as you want to (with stickers, emojis, etc.) to create the final look. A preview will load. Find and select the blue “Attach to Snap” button at the bottom of the screen.
Step 6: Share the Snap with your friends and followers!
Click the send button (the blue arrow). Your link will appear when the Snap is sent to your followers, but you can also post it to your Stories by clicking the square with a plus sign.
How to view links on Snapchat
Having the functionality of sharing links on Snapchat gives users a way to quickly get to websites, videos, articles, or even the app store. If someone sends you a Snap with a link, you can access it in a flash.
- Open the Snap.
- Swipe up. This will show you a CTA section at the bottom of the screen, which contains the link (marked with a paperclip icon).
- Tap the paperclip to view the URL.
Snapchat Stories can also have links. To view them, users can:
- Swipe up while you’re viewing the Snap.
- Look at the bottom center of the Snap to see if there are any links. If there is a link, you’ll see an arrow pointing up and the name of the website.
- Swipe up to follow the link.
Can you add bio links to your Snapchat profile?
Yes, you can. Once your social team designs a killer Snapchat public profile for your company, adding a new link in your bio gives depth and provides a way to share more information.
This is a great technique to employ for active campaigns, promoting products or content and guiding followers to check the link in your bio for more details.
By following the link to your portfolio, website, article, or any other piece of content. Here’s how to do it.
- Create your Snapchat profile.
- Go to the Profile Management section.
- Tap to advance to the next screen.
- Tap “Edit.”
- Type in the link or copy and paste it into the URL bar.
How brands can leverage Snapchat links
Brands have more control by adding links on Snapchat. Even though the links will bring users to an in-app browser, marketers can choose where their followers go next after they swipe up on Snapchat. They can drive users back to the home page, to a specific product page, or to a demo page.
Every swipe, tap, share, and click on social media platforms is a link that tells the greater narrative of where your customers are engaging, when they’re engaging, and why. Each link helps you understand your audience better and helps you gain control of your customer experience.
Shorten your Snapchat links with Bitly
Crafting a social media strategy that offers the most bang for your buck means using every tool at your disposal. Knowing how to use every feature Snapchat and its partners have can help you do that. Snapchat links give brands an easier way to start conversations, engage with interesting topics, and reach a wider audience.
Using a link shortener and QR Code creator like Bitly allows brands to reap many benefits. Creating branded links, tracking user pathways, and measuring the success (or lack of) of different types of content empowers companies to increase their reach and drive their messaging.
Learn more about how Bitly opens up windows of opportunities and strengthens marketing initiatives by getting in touch with us today.
