Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, offering a highly visual space to promote products and connect with followers. With its mix of photos, videos, Stories, and Reels, it supports authentic storytelling that can drive traffic and conversions. For affiliate marketers, it offers several effective tools to share products, grow an audience, and increase earnings.
For setup instructions or support, visit Instagram’s help center.
Optimise your affiliate strategy on Instagram
- Provide easy access to links: While Instagram doesn’t support clickable links in post captions, there are several ways to share your affiliate links:
- Link in bio: Add up to 5 affiliate links or a single multi-link tool (e.g. Linktree, Lnk.Bio, etc.) to your profile, and refer to it in your posts. For more information, read How can I promote multiple advertisers/products on Instagram?
- Stories: Use the Link Sticker in Stories to direct users to affiliate pages
- Direct messages: Share links in conversations with interested followers.
- Broadcast channels: Share links in conversations with interested followers in one-way announcements
- Shopping tools: If you're set up for Instagram Shopping, you can tag products in your posts and Stories.
To learn how to create affiliate links that lead directly to specific product pages, read What is deep linking and why should I use this?
- Share coupon codes in captions: Keep your visuals clean by placing coupons or discount codes in captions. This keeps the aesthetic of your posts and ensures your offers are easy to find. To learn how to get voucher codes, see Where can I find an advertiser's offers or vouchers? and What is Voucher Attribution?
- Stay authentic: Speak directly to your audience in a tone that reflects your brand. Share your honest experiences with products and avoid sounding overly promotional. Authenticity builds trust and improves long-term conversions.
- Follow advertising guidelines: Always disclose sponsored content clearly. Use Instagram’s paid partnership tag or include hashtags like #ad, #sponsoredpost, or #paidpartnership. For more details, read What are the guidelines for social media ads?
- Track your performance: Use Instagram’s Professional Dashboard to learn about your audience’s demographics and engagement. Then use Awin’s reporting tools to track clicks, conversions, and sales performance. Adjust your strategy based on what delivers the highest engagement and commissions. To learn more about the different types of reports provided by Awin, read Where do I find reports?
- Experiment with content formats: Test different post styles to see what resonates most with your audience:
- Reels for short, entertaining clips (up to 3 minutes long)
- Carousel posts to showcase multiple products or angles
- In-feed videos for longer videos (up to 15 minutes on mobile, 60 minutes on desktop) for more detailed storytelling
- Stories for quick moments and updates that disappear after 24 hours
- Lives for real-time engagement and interaction
- Broadcast channels for one-way messages and exclusive content to your subscribers (for Creator account holders only)
- Engage your community: Respond to comments, questions, and direct messages to build relationships and trust. Invite followers to share their experiences with your recommendations. If needed, use comment control settings to manage interactions and stay focused on your message.
- Download the Awin for Publishers app: The Awin app helps you manage key tasks on the go, from creating links and browsing advertiser offers to checking performance earnings. To learn more about the app, read The Awin app. For tips on maximising its features, see How to use the Awin app.
For more ways to promote products on Instagram, read What are the different ways to promote products on Instagram?
To sign up to Awin using your Instagram account, see Can I sign up to Awin using my Instagram Account?
For the latest Instagram features for creators, visit Instagram for Creators.
