In case you didn’t get the memo, Linktree and all of its variations are CANCELLED. Even though there are a good number of wedding professionals and small business owners who made the switch from Linktree to their websites, I still see some who are reluctant. And if you’re one of those, this is your final call - For the love of your SEO, stop using Linktree.

And here’s all the Why’s and How’s, so get cosy and read on! I will guide you through everything you need to know about link in bio, why Linktree was such a big success even though it’s terrible for your SEO, why it’s time to ditch it (and all the other variations) and what are your alternatives.

What Does Link In Bio Mean?

Instagram user checking link in bio on her iphone

Before we go any further, let’s go back to basics and talk about Link in Bio. You probably use the phrase at least a few times every week on your Instagram captions, Facebook Profile and Pinterest Pins. When we say ‘link in bio’, we basically refer to the clickable URL or website link on our profile that directs our audience to our website, specific service page, freebie or our latest content piece that we would like to promote.

The problem with Link In Bio is that pretty much all the social media platforms allow only one link, when you have multiple links you would like to showcase. This however is slowly changing and there’s a great way around it. Hint: It’s not Linktree!

What is Linktree?

Linktree is basically a tool that allows you to add multiple links to your social media profiles so that you can highlight a few different URLs. In practice, it acts like a middleman between your social media profile and your website.

‘Cause let’s be honest, we rarely want to keep our audience on Instagram or Facebook or Tiktok. We want them to take action to go and download our freebie, visit our website, check out our latest service, join our Facebook group and sign up for our email list. And when social media platforms allow only one link, that causes a problem. Which one do I prioritise? Do I need to change the link in my bio every time I post new content? What happens when someone clicks on the link in my bio and it’s not the link they expect to see?

So when Linktree came into existence to solve this problem, we all jumped on it. And now there are a hundred other variations such as Lnkbio, Linkin.bio, Biosites, etc. The funny thing is we had a great solution to this problem from the very beginning - our own website!

Why You Should Ditch Linktree?

And this brings us to the question of why you should ditch Linktree or _insert the tool you use_.

Let me say this first - if you don’t have a website, then Linktree is a great option, but then again you should really consider getting yourself a website, but that’s for another blog post. However, if you do have a website, it’s time to utilise that website on the link in your bio. And we’re going to talk about this in a bit.

Now, let’s look at why Linktree is bad for your SEO and your overall brand experience.

1 - Linktree is bad for your SEO

One of the biggest positive factors on your SEO is links. Links that you’re getting from other websites, directly to your website, which we call backlinks. And as you can guess popular social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are way stronger backlinks than Linktree. So by using Linktree, you’re giving that strong backlink to their website rather than your own website.

The other factor Google looks at is your traffic source. This is not a direct factor like backlinks, but Google can see where you’re receiving traffic from. And your traffic from Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest etc is basically a way for Google to assess how relevant and popular your content is. So your website getting direct traffic from these platforms is super valuable for your SEO. Now what happens if Google sees traffic coming to your website from Linktree instead of Instagram? You lose that popularity signal.

But that’s not the whole story. There’s more. By using Linktree as a middleman, you’re basically reducing the amount of time people spend on your website. And that my friend is a strong signal to Google that people find your website relevant and useful, which then encourages Google to show your website more on Google Search Results. You may think that it’s only a few seconds difference but in Google’s world, that’s worth a lot!

2- You lose visitors along the way

Here’s a fact - people are lazy and they have no patience. Any additional step you put between your audience and your website is going to cost you some visitors. That’s why we want our audience to land on our website as soon as possible, as then it’s easier to keep them on our website with some captivating copy and excellent brand experience, as well as control their user journey. That’s something we, unfortunately, can’t do with Linktree.

3- Branded experience is everything

From the very first moment someone finds you to become your client, you want them to have a great, consistent brand experience. Because a good brand experience makes you stay in people’s minds even long after they work with you. And if they remember you, they are more likely to talk about you, refer you to others and come back again as repeat customers.

Think about the brands you’re most loyal to. I bet one of the biggest reasons you’re such a brand loyalist is not just because of the great product or service they deliver, but also the amazing experience you get that’s on brand.

When you use Linktree, you can’t control your brand experience. You’re stuck with the options it gives you in terms of the overall look and feel. Plus, you can only add links, whereas a great brand experience also includes a compelling copy and a warm welcome.

Linktree Alternatives

If you didn’t get the hint yet, your website is the best alternative to Linktree. If you have only one service or promotion you want your audience to check out, then cut all the fluff and put a link straight to that page.

But if you’re a multi-passionate like me, who has a few things going on at the same time, then create a super simple, on-brand page on your website using your website builder and link to that page. In the end, Linktree is just a simple list of links, and believe me, you can do better than that!

Iphone laid flat on table next to cup of tea and glasses. Nergis' link in bio page is open on iphone screen

For example, here’s my link in bio page that I created on SquareSpace literally in less than 30 minutes. Yes, it’s not the greatest and I’m planning to make it a bit more attractive when I get around to it but it does the job. You don’t need to have the perfect page, so don’t wait any longer. Just a simple page with a list of buttons is a way better option than Linktree.

How To Add Multiple Links In Bio on Instagram

And here’s the big news if you missed it: Instagram is now allowing you to have multiple links in your bio! They first started testing it back in October 2022 and now they made it available to all their users.

For some annoying reason, I’m always the last to get these fantastic features but now that I have access to multiple links option, I’m pretty sure you do too!

At the moment you can add up to 5 links which is pretty amazing! All you need to do is go to ‘edit profile’, click ‘links’ and add all your links one by one. I, for example, have -

My useful links where I highlight my latest news and content
My Calendly booking link for those who want to grab a virtual coffee with me to discuss their SEO
A direct link to my blog
A direct link to the Wedding Pros FB Community page - if you’re a wedding professional, make sure to come and join us!
A link to my homepage