A widely popular photo-sharing app, Instagram is a social media network like no other, and is almost built around sharing only images and videos. With over a billion users across the globe, Instagram ranks second among social networking platforms with the highest daily logins, and was acquired by Facebook in 2012.

As per reports, this Facebook-owned application is allegedly planning to remove the swipe up feature that is commonly used in Instagram stories. As per an online report, this social networking platform is planning to get rid of the swipe up feature used to access links through the stories and replace it with a stickers feature. Several Instagram users have reported that they received a notification from the app confirming this change, which will be implemented with effect from 30th August, 2021. However, the company is yet to officially release a statement and provide further information about this particular feature.

Earlier, users could share links to articles, and several other web pages through their Instagram stories with the swipe up feature. App researcher Jane Manchun Wong and YouTuber Sam Sheffer have tweeted and posted screenshots of the notification received by some Instagram users. The notification says, “Starting August 30, swipe up links will go away. To add a link to your story, use the new link sticker.”

With the introduction of the sticker feature, it looks like the users will be able to add stickers embedded with links in their stories. Users will also have the option of selection from a wide range of stickers as well.

Earlier in the month, Instagram has reportedly been testing a new feature which enables it to put up ads on its “Shop” tab. As per reports, this new advertising feature may involve a single image or a carousel. During the initial stages, the access to this feature may be limited to a very few advertisers, but the company is looking to expand further.

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