To get anonymous messages on your Instagram story, you need a link that lets people message you without showing their name, and Instagram's Link sticker to put it on your story. Friends tap the sticker, write a note, and it lands in your inbox anonymously. This guide uses MirrorBox, which is free and works in any browser, so neither you nor your friends need to download anything.
It takes about two minutes. Here's the whole thing.
What you need#
- An Instagram account (any account can use the Link sticker on stories).
- A free MirrorBox link, like
mirrorbox.me/yourname. You sign in with Google, Apple or Discord. - A phone. A laptop works for reading messages, but stories are posted from the Instagram app.
Step 1: Claim your anonymous message link#
Go to mirrorbox.me and type the name you want in the box, then tap Claim my link. Sign in, confirm your age (MirrorBox is for 13 and over), and your page is live.
Then pick your message types. MirrorBox has six cards: Ask, Note, Song, 3 words, Vibe and Memory. Turn on the ones you want. If you're not sure, leave 3 words and Ask on; they're the easiest for friends to answer.
Step 2: Copy your link#
Open your page and tap Share my page, or copy the link from your profile. It looks like this:
https://mirrorbox.me/yourname
Step 3: Add it to your Instagram story with the Link sticker#
- Open Instagram and swipe right (or tap + then Story) to start a story.
- Pick a background: a selfie, a photo, or a plain colour with text like "send me anonymous messages 👀".
- Tap the sticker icon at the top of the screen.
- Choose Link.
- Paste your MirrorBox link into the URL field.
- Tap Customize sticker text and change it to something people want to tap, such as "tell me what you really think".
- Tap Done, place the sticker where it's easy to see, and post it.
That's it. Anyone who taps the sticker opens your MirrorBox page in their browser, picks a card and sends you something anonymously.
Step 4: Read your messages and answer the best ones#
New notes arrive in your private MirrorBox inbox. Nothing shows on your page until you pin it, so you decide what the world gets to see.
To answer on your story, write your reply, publish it, and share it. Screenshot the note with your answer and post it as a new story with your Link sticker again. Friends who see your answer tap the link and send their own, which is why every answer you post brings in more messages.
In the iPhone and Android apps, which are coming soon, one tap turns any note and your answer into a ready-made story card. Until then, everything above works in your browser today.
Tips to get more anonymous messages#
- Ask a specific question. "Describe me in 3 words" gets more replies than "ask me anything", because it's quick to answer. Our list of 75 anonymous questions to ask your friends has plenty to steal.
- Post your answers, not just the link. People send more when they see you actually reply.
- Keep the link in your bio too. Stories disappear after 24 hours; your bio doesn't.
- Share it beyond Instagram. The same link works on Snapchat, TikTok, WhatsApp and in group chats.
- Post at the right time. Evenings and weekends usually bring the most replies. With MirrorBox+, Insights shows the hour your messages actually land.
Keep it fun, not mean#
Anonymous messages are only fun if they're kind. MirrorBox has your back:
- Spam and hate filters are on by default, and harmful-looking notes can be held back.
- Muted words silently drop any note that contains them.
- You can limit messages to signed-in people or people you follow.
- Take a break pauses your inbox for 24 hours or a week.
- Block or report any note in one tap.
FAQ#
Can people see who sent an anonymous message?#
No. You see the note, plus a name only if the sender chose to add one. MirrorBox keeps a scrambled key behind the scenes so blocks and reports still work, but it's never shown to you, and MirrorBox+ doesn't reveal senders either.
Do my friends need to download an app?#
No. Your link opens in any browser. They pick a card, write and send, with no account needed, unless you set your inbox to signed-in people only.
Is it free?#
Yes. The link, inbox, replies, chats, wall and all safety tools are free. MirrorBox+ is optional.
Does this work on Snapchat and TikTok too?#
Yes. Use Snapchat's link (paperclip) tool on a snap, or put your link wherever your TikTok profile lets you add one. It's the same link everywhere.
Ready? Get your free MirrorBox link and post your first story. Want the full tour first? Read the MirrorBox launch post.
