Create direct links from Instagram and TikTok posts
With Fwd, any post becomes a link you can engage with. Just pick a post from your Instagram, TikTok, or anywhere you’d like, and give it a destination.
Each link you create improves your engagement and conversion rates, and gives you new insights about your audience.
Unparalleled insights
Create links from any post and drastically improve your conversion rates. Boost engagement, eliminate friction, gain new insights and benchmarks.
Works with anything
Copy the URL from your existing shop or website, set it as a Destination, and that’s it. Fwd will do the rest. No need to set up APIs, deal with permissions, or speak with an admin.
Easy to use
Using native mobile actions, Fwd is intuitive and easy to use. Coupled with Inbox and Comments helpers, using post links feels like second nature to anyone.
FAQ – Adding links to Instagram and TikTok
What is the best Link in Bio solution?
Nowadays, everyone is offering some form of a Link in Bio solution. Shopify has Linkpop, Squarespace has dedicated templates and tools, and Wix has Hopp. Even Canva has one. Then you have dedicated solutions like LinkTree, Later, and Lnk.bio.
All of these valiant attempts at a solution, but it’s the wrong solution; they still don’t let you link directly from Instagram or TikTok.
Fwd is the first to offer a real, working solution for this problem – with more than one way of operation – in a matter of seconds. In addition, Fwd makes Instagram Conversion Tracking and TikTok Conversion Tracking a reality, along with engagement monitoring, ecommerce integrations, and more.
This, and the added benefits, makes Fwd the best Link in Bio solution, by far!
Can you put a link in an Instagram post?
Yes! Instagram doesn’t allow hyperlink URLs in post captions, but you can link any post directly to any URL, using Fwd, and without adding anything to the post caption.
You can also link to URLs through Stories (with a “Link” sticker), your Instagram bio (limited to 5 generic links), or Instagram Direct Messages (DMs).
How do you link from Instagram posts?
The best way to add a link on Instagram posts is using a tool like Fwd, which turns any post into a link of its own.
Once you connect Fwd with your Instagram profile, you can publish a post, and then configure a destination for it in Fwd. Anyone with an Instagram profile can then use Fwd to open your link’s destination.
You can also link an Instagram post to a destination URL in other ways. For example, using Direct Messages, Comments, or Mentions.
Instagram Direct Messages (DM)
With Fwd, you can have Instagram users send you a DM with the post itself – by using the “Share” button on the post, and then choosing your own profile as the recipient – which will prompt Fwd’s Assistant to respond with the destination URL on your behalf.
Instagram Comments
One popular solution that many have adopted is prompting their audience to comment with a specific keyword or phrase, like “BOOK”, and then reaching out to those who commented with the keyword via messages or comments. While effective in increasing engagement and brand authority, it adds friction, and requires constant attention to remain effective.
Instagram Story Mentions
When someone mentions you or your brand in their Instagram Story, you could integrate a tool like Fwd’s Assistant to automatically reach out to the user via DM, to start a conversation and share a link with them. However, this usually means the link shared is a generic one (like a website or a blog), and not a specific one, like an item for sale, or a book. The biggest impact of this approach is engagement and brand authority; we recommend using it in tandem with Fwd Links.
What are the alternatives to using a direct link on Instagram?
If you don’t want to use a solution like Fwd, consider the following as alternatives to using direct links:
- Tagging a product in a post.
- Creating a Link sticker in a story.
- Paying for a Sponsored Post.
- Sending traffic to the destination URL via a paid Direct Messages Ad.
- Adding a link to the Bio section. (Limited to 5 links)
- Sharing a URL to a Direct Message (DM).
- Sharing a URL on IGTV.
Can you add links to Instagram profiles?
Yes, it’s possible to add generic links to Instagram profiles (Bio) that lead to a website. However, you can only add up to 5 links per profile, and they can only lead to a web address. Linking to other apps, email addresses, etc. is not supported.
Checkout Instagram’s official documentation for more.
What is the benefit of adding links to Instagram/TikTok posts?
Adding a link to your Instagram or TikTok post is very beneficial for visibility, engagement, and conversion.
Amplified Visibility: By adding a link to your Instagram post, you make it more likely that people will see your content. This is because your content becomes actionable and useful to more people, which in turn makes it more relevant to more people.
Enhanced Engagement: When you add a link to your Instagram post, you provide your audience with a direct call to action, which encourages them to engage directly with your brand or products. This can then make your content more shareable, further increasing the engagement with with it.
Increased Conversions: By providing the information and destination in one place – the post – you make it easier for your audience to make a decision, and ensure that they reach their destination every time. Reducing the chances of lose of focus, or mid-flow drop-offs.
Can you track conversions on Instagram/TikTok?
Instagram conversion tracking and TikTok conversion tracking are not available on either platform by design. Instagram and TikTok both don’t provide a way to link individual posts to destination URLs because they want you to pay for this privilege, often in the form of Promoted content, Boosts, or Shop items. Yet another system, for you to manage your content, and offerings.
By using Fwd to set direct links from Instagram/TikTok, you gain the ability to track conversions on any platform, because tracking is specific to each Fwd Link. This also means that you can analyze engagement beyond the basic Likes count, and learn what content actually converts the most.
With Fwd, you can also see benchmarks, gaining insights about how others perform in your sector.
Why is Instagram Link in Bio not working?
The most probable reason for this is that you’re trying to link to a website that’s not allowed by Instagram or TikTok. It could also be that you reached the limit of allowed links in your profile.
Check that your URL complies with all policies, and that you don’t have more links than what is allowed.
A better solution would be to use Fwd to set direct links from the most popular posts on your profile.
How do you find the link to an Instagram post or reel?
To find the link to a specific post, do the following:
- Find the desired post or reel on the profile or feed in question.
- Tap on the Share icon under the post (the paper plane), scroll the bottom carousel if needed, and select “Copy link”.
- Use this link to create a Fwd link, or paste it into a messaging app.
- Adjust the placement of the sticker in your story, or tap on it to change its style, edit it, or remove it.
How do you add a link to Instagram profiles?
To add a link to your Instagram profile or bio, do the following:
- Open your profile on the mobile app.
- Tap ”Edit profile”, and then “Links”.
- Tap “Add external link” to add a URL of your choice.
- Save your changes to your profile.
Remember: you can only have 5 links at a time, so if you need to remove a link, simply tap on it and then tap “Remove link”. Check Instagram’s documentation for more.
How do you know if a direct link is working?
To test a direct link from Instagram or TikTok, go to your profile and find the post in question. Share it to Fwd via the Share menu, or via a Direct Message. If the link is working, the destination should open for you.
Profiles with the Missing Link Notifications feature active in Fwd, will receive a notification with a call to action if the link is not configured properly.
What links can you use on Instagram/TikTok?
While any URL can be used, not all of them will fall within Instagram’s or TikTok’s policies.
Some of the limitations outlined by Instagram and TikTok are:
- Links that are used in multiple profiles at the same time.
- Snapchat links.
- Telegram links.
- Websites that are served by multiple addresses at once; URL forwarders, redirections, etc.
- Websites with explicit content.
- Websites with hidden spam links and text.
The only alternative to Link in Bio
As a social media creator, you know the limitations of a single “link in bio” across platforms like Instagram and TikTok. With Fwd, you can transform your bio into a powerful hub for all your important content. Whether you’re promoting products, showcasing your latest videos, or directing followers to external websites, a link in bio offers just one opportunity to drive traffic.
By using Fwd’s direct link feature, you can bypass this limitation. Imagine being able to link your posts directly to your online shop, product pages, or other key destinations—right from each post, without needing a complicated multi-link service. This creates a frictionless experience for your followers, helping increase clicks and conversions. No more shuffling or changing the bio link for different promotions. The ability to attach a relevant link to each post transforms how creators can engage with their audience.
With customizable destinations and easy integration, Fwd offers more flexibility than traditional tools. This means less hassle and more control over your content’s impact, letting you grow your reach and improve engagement without ever having to direct users to a single, crowded link in bio again.
Instagram conversion tracking
Instagram is a vital platform for creators and businesses alike, but it lacks robust, native conversion tracking. That’s where Fwd steps in. By using our conversion tracking tools, creators can gain deeper insights into how their Instagram content drives real results. Whether it’s generating leads, boosting product sales, or gaining more followers, tracking conversions from Instagram has been a challenge for many creators.
Fwd’s solution simplifies this by linking each post directly to the right destination and allowing you to monitor the outcomes. With conversion tracking integrated into your direct links, you can know exactly how many users click through, where they go, and whether they take the desired action—whether it’s making a purchase, signing up, or interacting with your content.
This level of transparency helps creators optimize their strategies, tailor content to what works, and ensure that their Instagram presence is working as hard as possible. By gaining more control over your conversion data, you can drive better performance and grow your audience.
TikTok conversion tracking
TikTok has rapidly become one of the most powerful platforms for creators, with viral content driving massive traffic and engagement. But like Instagram, TikTok’s native tools offer limited insight into conversions —whether it’s product sales, signups, or other important actions.
With Fwd’s TikTok conversion tracking, creators can unlock detailed analytics that show exactly how users interact with their posts and what results those interactions generate. By turning TikTok posts into direct links to your desired destination—such as an online store, landing page, or subscription site — you can track how many viewers click, engage, and convert.
By empowering creators to see which content drives the best results, Fwd enables data-driven decisions, helping you refine your content and grow your following with maximum impact. No more guessing which videos are working — Fwd puts the data at your fingertips
Link in Bio not working
If you’ve ever encountered issues with your link in bio not working, you’re not alone. Instagram and TikTok frequently change policies or settings that can cause your bio link to break or lead to a dead end. As a creator, this can be frustrating—especially when your income or reach depends on followers accessing the right destinations.
Fwd solves this issue by offering a reliable direct-link solution that integrates with your social media accounts seamlessly. With Fwd, you no longer have to rely on a single link in your bio, hoping it functions as expected. Instead, you can attach specific links to each post, ensuring that every destination is reachable without the risk of broken links or sudden changes in platform rules.
In the event of any disruptions, Fwd provides a quick, easy fix, keeping your content live and ensuring that followers can always find what you’re promoting. Say goodbye to broken bio links and ensure your audience has a smooth, continuous path to your destinations.
Direct link from Instagram
Using direct links on Instagram can significantly improve engagement, sales, and overall reach for creators. Traditionally, Instagram only allows one clickable link in your bio, limiting your ability to drive traffic from individual posts. But with Fwd’s direct link feature, you can bypass this restriction and attach unique, actionable links directly to each of your Instagram posts.
By linking directly from a post to a specific destination—whether it’s a product, service, or external content—you make it easier for followers to interact with your brand. This direct path reduces friction, increasing the likelihood of clicks and conversions. The simpler the journey, the more likely your followers will take action.
Instagram creators benefit from having the flexibility to promote multiple links without needing third-party tools that send followers to a single landing page. Fwd empowers creators by making direct linking easy, helping you drive higher engagement and improve your overall content strategy.
Direct link from TikTok
Like Instagram, TikTok limits creators when it comes to linking out from posts. The single link in bio option is often insufficient for creators who want to monetize their content, grow their audience, or drive traffic to multiple destinations. Fwd’s direct link solution for TikTok enables you to overcome these restrictions, offering creators a better way to direct followers exactly where they want them to go.
With Fwd, each TikTok post can include a unique link that leads your audience straight to the right destination. Whether it’s a landing page, an online store, or another social platform, using direct links ensures you never miss an opportunity to convert viewers into customers or subscribers. This enhances engagement, boosts conversions, and makes it easier to manage campaigns without relying on a single, overworked bio link.
In a fast-paced environment like TikTok, where trends and opportunities come and go quickly, having direct links for each post gives creators the flexibility and control they need to stay ahead and maximize their impact.