How to Add an NGL Link to Your Instagram Story and Boost Engagement

Have you seen those intriguing "Ask me anything" and "Anonymous confessions" links popping up on Instagram stories lately? They‘re powered by NGL, an app that lets followers anonymously submit questions, reactions, and confessions to their favorite creators and influencers.

Adding an NGL link to your Instagram story is an easy way to engage your audience and get to know your followers better. But how does it work, exactly? As a tech geek and social media expert, let me walk you through the step-by-step process.

What Exactly is NGL?

NGL stands for "Not Gonna Lie." It‘s an anonymous messaging app launched in 2019 that has recently exploded in popularity among Gen Z users and influencers.

The premise is simple – you share your unique NGL link on your Instagram bio or stories. Followers who see the link can then anonymously submit questions, reactions, confessions, or advice requests to you as the account owner.

You receive the anonymous messages within the NGL app itself, and can choose to reply publicly or privately. Your identity as the account owner remains anonymous as well.

According to NGL, over 15 million users have shared their links and received over 150 million anonymous message so far. Usage especially spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic as people looked for new ways to connect.

Why Add an NGL Link to Your Instagram?

There are a few key benefits influencers and creators are enjoying from NGL:

It grabs attention. The mysterious vibe of anonymous messages is inherently intriguing. A link promises your followers juicy, uncensored confessions that they won‘t want to miss.
It goes viral. Once a few accounts start using NGL, it often sparks a viral trend as people rush to share their own links and confess secrets. The element of anonymity gets people hooked.
It drives engagement. According to analytics firm HypeAuditor, accounts linking NGL in their bios saw a 2-6x increase in engagement on posts. This spike is likely thanks to followers checking back eagerly for anonymous replies.
It builds trust. By allowing anonymous confessions, you allow followers to share their unfiltered feelings. This builds a trusting environment where people feel heard.
It provides insights. You gain valuable perspective into what your audience really thinks about you, your content, and your brand.

Clearly NGL is a powerful tool for influencers. But how do you actually add it to your Instagram presence? Let‘s dig in.

Step 1: Download the NGL App

First, you‘ll need to download the NGL app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. It‘s called "NGL – anonymous q&a."

Once installed, open up the app and enter your Instagram username when prompted.

NGL will generate a unique profile link for you. This is what your followers will use to send anonymous messages your way.

Step 2: Copy Your Unique NGL Link

In the NGL app, you should see a generated link under your username. It will look something like "ngl.link/yourusername".

Tap the "Copy Link" button to copy this link to your phone‘s clipboard.

Later, you‘ll paste this into Instagram to share. But don‘t post it quite yet!

Step 3: Set Up Your NGL Profile

Before sharing your NGL link publicly, I recommend personalizing your NGL profile a bit.

Tap into the NGL app and you‘ll see options to:

Add a profile photo
Write a bio
Select topics people can message you about
Turn notifications on or off

Take a few minutes to make your NGL profile represent your brand. A customized profile encourages participation.

Now you‘re ready to paste your NGL link into an Instagram story!

Start by opening Instagram and creating a new story post. Feel free to add some visual flair like an engaging background image.

Then, tap the sticker icon and select the "link" sticker.

Link sticker

This will open up a space to paste in any link URL. Here‘s where you‘ll paste your unique NGL link that‘s copied to your clipboard.

Step 5: Customize the Link Text

Don‘t leave the sticker with the basic NGL link text. Instead, customize it to intrigue your audience!

Some creative text ideas include:

Ask me anything! 😏
Confessions and reactions… anon only! 🤫
What do you really think of me? 👀
Submit your juiciest secrets 😳

Get creative and align the text with your brand tone. The key is tospark enough intrigue that people click the link and submit a message.

Step 6: Post Your Story

Once you‘ve customized the text, tap "Done" on the sticker and post the story!

Your NGL link is now live for your followers. The waiting game for anonymous messages begins!

Engaging With Your Audience via NGL

Don‘t expect your followers to immediately flood your NGL inbox though. You need to actively promote it to get the ball rolling.

Here are some tips:

Pin a story with your NGL link to your profile for 24 hours
Link it in your Instagram bio
Remind people to submit messages when you post Stories
Reply to some messages publicly to get a conversation flowing
Offer prompts and ask questions to stimulate responses

According to social media analysts, consistent promotion like this leads to 3-4x more engagement versus just a single story mention.

Moderating Your NGL Inbox

As messages start rolling in, you‘ll need to actively moderate your NGL inbox within the app.

While most submissions will be positive, you may occasionally get inappropriate or abusive content. NGL has filtering and blocking options to help manage this.

Experts also recommend establishing ground rules for what types of confessions you‘ll accept. Making expectations clear ensures submissions stay friendly and fun.

The Viral Appeal of Anonymous Messaging

If you‘ve noticed NGL links popping up everywhere, it‘s because anonymous messaging is having a major viral moment right now.

Apps like NGL, Tellonym, and Sarahah tap into people‘s natural curiosity to confess, ask, judge, and reveal themselves anonymously.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend as people turned to digital spaces for unfiltered connection. NGL became Gen Z‘s app of choice.

Of course, controversy exists around potential risks like bullying. But with proper moderation, anonymous apps offer a fascinating way to build authentic engagement.

Key Takeaways for Adding NGL to Your Instagram

Hopefully this breakdown gave you some useful insight into maximizing NGL for your brand as both a tech geek and social media expert!

Here are some of my key tips to recap:

Download the NGL app and customize your profile
Copy your unique NGL link within the app
Prominently feature the link on your Instagram story
Entice followers with creative text like "Confess your secrets!"
Stimulate engagement by actively promoting your link
Moderate your inbox to keep things positive

And most importantly – have fun watching the anonymous confessions roll in! NGL can give you invaluable insights into your audience.

Want to chat more about maximizing social media engagement? Feel free to reach out! I‘m always nerding out over new trends and features.