Along with sharing photos and videos on Instagram, users can also add clickable links to other content in various places. While this is a great tool for linking to your website, portfolio or fundraiser, the problem is sometimes Instagram links don’t work.
This can be frustrating for users who rely on links for business and communication. This article is going to discuss some of the common reasons why Instagram links might not be working and how to troubleshoot the issue.
Common Reasons for Instagram Link Failures
First, there are several factors that can lead to links not working on Instagram. Here are some of the most common.
Why Instagram Links Aren’t Working
- Privacy Settings: If your profile is private, only your followers can view the linked content. If someone isn’t a follower of your account, the link may appear broken.
- Removed Content: Another reason a link isn’t working is that it might be for content that’s been deleted or moved. If the original post or page the link was pointing to is no longer available, the link won’t work.
- Account or Content Blocks: Instagram might block links if they go to content that violates community guidelines or TOS. This could include copyright infringement, explicit content or spam.
- Technical Issues: Sometimes, links may not work due to technical glitches on Instagram, or the website the link goes to. This is usually temporary and typically resolves without intervention.
- Incorrectly Formatted Link: Links need to be properly formatted to work. If there’s a typo or error in the link format, it’s not going to function correctly.
Troubleshooting Non-working Links
If you find that a link isn’t working, here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot them.
Tips for Troubleshooting Instagram Links
- Check Profile Status: Make sure that the profile sharing the link is public or that you are following it if it’s private.
- Verify the Link: Double-check the link for any typing errors. Try accessing the link directly through a web browser to see if the issue is specific to Instagram.
- Clear Cache: Sometimes, clearing the cache on your Instagram app can resolve any loading issues such as links that aren’t working.
- Update the App: Make sure that you’re using the latest version of Instagram. Updates will often fix bugs that might be causing links to not work.
- Report the Issue: If none of these steps work, you can report the problem to Instagram. Go to your profile, select the three dash lines for the menu, head to ‘Settings,’ then ‘Help’ and select ‘Report a Problem.’
The Bottom Line
Links that don’t work on Instagram can be due to several issues from technical glitches to deleted content. If you rely on links on your profile to drive traffic, it’s important to stay informed on the potential issues that can happen. By understanding these common pitfalls and how to address them, you can improve how reliable your links are and prevent them from not working in the future.
