Remove Underline from Instagram Story Link Sticker
Learn creative, policy-compliant ways to camouflage or minimize the underline on Instagram Story Link Stickers without affecting accessibility.
Remove Underline from Instagram Story Link Sticker — Complete Creative Guide
Instagram Stories have rapidly become one of the most effective features for brands, creators, and influencers to connect with audiences. One standout functionality is the Instagram Story Link Sticker, an interactive tool that lets you send viewers directly to a website, product page, or signup form.
If you’ve ever wanted to remove or hide the underline on these stickers for a cleaner design, this guide will explain why the underline exists and reveal creative, policy-compliant workarounds.
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What is the Instagram Story Link Sticker?
The Link Sticker is a tappable visual element you can place anywhere in your story. It usually shows your chosen text (domain or custom call-to-action) and, by default, displays a colored underline beneath the text for emphasis.
This underline is automatically generated by Instagram in a contrasting color to maximize visibility. While some creators consider it distracting, it serves specific accessibility and usability purposes.
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Why Instagram Adds an Underline
Instagram implements the underline for two core reasons:
- Accessibility — For users with visual impairments or color blindness, the underline acts as an additional signifier that the text is clickable.
- Visibility — On busy or multi-tone backgrounds, the underline helps the link stand out, increasing the likelihood that viewers will notice and tap.
According to Instagram’s internal design guidelines, such cues contribute to higher click-through rates (CTR) for Link Stickers.
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Official Customization Options and Limitations
While Instagram offers minor customization for Link Stickers, removing the underline entirely is not possible from within the app.
Available in-app adjustments include:
| Customization Option | Available in Instagram App? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Text Content | Yes | Replace the default domain with custom call-to-action (CTA) text |
| Sticker Color | Yes | Choose from a limited palette; underline color updates automatically |
| Underline Removal | No | No native toggle to hide underline |
| Font Style | No | Fixed font; cannot be altered |
Because underline removal is not supported, savvy creators turn to design-based solutions that blend or mask the underline while staying within Instagram’s policy boundaries.
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Creative Workarounds to Mask or Minimize the Underline
If you’re searching “Instagram Story Link Sticker remove underline,” you won’t find an in-app button for it. Instead, you can camouflage the underline through strategic visual design.
1. Background Color Matching
Adjust your story background, or add shapes behind the sticker that match the underline color.
Steps:
- Identify underline color (based on sticker theme).
- Create a rectangle or shape in the same tone.
- Keep background uniform so the underline merges invisibly.
This won’t eliminate the underline, but makes it much less noticeable to viewers.
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2. Custom Design Overlays
Overlay stickers, shapes, or graphic elements directly over the underline area.
Examples:
- Decorate with a bar or banner beneath link text.
- Frame the Link Sticker within an illustrated graphic so the underline blends naturally.
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3. Text in a Designed Image
Create your own design in Canva, Photoshop, or Figma:
- Place your link text and visuals inside the design file.
- Add Link Sticker transparently over the same spot.
While the clickable underline region remains technically present, it integrates seamlessly with the background design.
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4. Pre-Design with Third-Party Tools
Design your Instagram Story entirely in third-party software, paying attention to where the underline will sit.
Popular choices:
- Canva — Story templates and easy color matching.
- Adobe Photoshop — Precision masking tools for custom visuals.
- Figma — Collaborative editing for creative teams.
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Step-by-Step: Camouflaging the Underline
Follow this example to hide the underline effectively:
- Plan Layout
- Decide sticker placement and sketch a rough mockup.
- Design in Canva
- Set artboard to 1080 × 1920 px.
- Add main visuals and CTA text.
- Insert a bar or shape matching underline color.
Tip: Choose your sticker color in Instagram first, screenshot the underline, and sample it in Canva.- Export and Upload
- Save as PNG/JPG and upload to Instagram Story.
- Place Sticker
- Align precisely so underline overlaps the colored bar in your design.
- Test Appearance
- Preview and adjust to ensure underline blends in.
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Accessibility Considerations
Modifying underline visibility can impact usability for some viewers. Keep in mind:
- The underline is an important accessibility cue.
- Maintain strong contrast and clear CTA phrases like “Shop Now” or “Learn More.”
- Avoid completely removing click indicators unless they are replaced with equally clear cues.
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Aesthetic Link Integration Examples
Notable creative uses include:
- Lifestyle Bloggers — Link placed over artistic brushstrokes.
- E-Commerce — Link embedded inside “Buy Now” button designs.
- Musicians — Link placed within album art layout lines.
These integrate the link naturally without sacrificing its functionality.
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Tips to Maintain CTR with Custom Visuals
Apply these strategies to sustain engagement:
- Use compelling CTAs.
- Place links in high-visibility zones (center or lower third of screen).
- Avoid clutter; keep link clickable area clear.
- Analyze performance via Instagram Insights and refine placement.
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Summary & Future Outlook
Currently, Instagram does not offer underline removal for Link Stickers natively. Until the feature evolves, your best bet is to integrate creative design techniques—like background color blending, overlaying banners, or using pre-designed mockups—to hide or minimize underline visibility while retaining full clickability.
Future updates may include more customization options, but until then, remember that your design ingenuity and attention to accessibility will produce the best results.
Key takeaways:
- Underlines are purposeful for accessibility and CTR.
- Workarounds rely on blending underline into your design.
- Use clear CTAs to maintain click engagement.
- Test and optimize each story before publishing.
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Ready to improve your Instagram Story visuals? Start experimenting with these underline camouflage techniques today to achieve polished, on-brand Stories that drive clicks while staying within Instagram’s guidelines.
