Linking to an external website from Instagram has always been a bit of a pain but it could become a bit easier from the end of August.

According to a report from The Verge, Instagram will be retiring the feature where creators can link to external websites by asking users to swipe up in an Instagram Story.

Instead of the swipe up link, Instagram will introduce new link stickers that creators can reportedly adapt the look of in order to prompt followers to tap the sticker and follow a link.

The photo and video sharing platform has been testing these stickers since June and, curiously, it has included users who didn’t previously have swipe up privileges. It’s unclear whether link stickers will have the same rules as swipe up. If they do, that would mean users would need an Instagram Business Profile or a verified account as well as at least 10 000 followers.

For now though, The Verge confirms that those who have swipe up privileges will be able to use link stickers when they begin rolling out on 30th August.

Instagram appears to be testing link stickers out before making a final decision about how best to replace the swipe up feature as is to be expected.

Of course, Instagram could try another solution but link stickers seem like a rather elegant solution and may prove to be less cumbersome than swiping up on a story.