Using Linktree or other bio-link platforms has become a trend, especially for businesses, influencers, and creators. These tools allow you to share multiple links in one place—helpful when platforms like Instagram only allow one clickable bio link. However, while they seem convenient, these platforms can negatively impact your website’s SEO, or search engine optimisation, which plays a major role in helping your website rank higher on Google. If your goal is to build brand authority and get more organic traffic, using tools like Linktree may be doing more harm than good.
In this post, we’ll explain how platforms like Linktree can work against your SEO goals, and we’ll introduce practical alternatives (including building your own links page) to ensure you’re getting the most value from every link click.
Why Does SEO Matter?
SEO is what helps people find your business or content when they search online. A key part of SEO is building backlinks—links from other websites to yours. These backlinks act like votes of confidence, telling search engines that your site is valuable and worth showing to users.
However, if you’re sending traffic to a Linktree or similar profile instead of directly to your website, you’re passing that SEO value (or link equity) to the platform, not to your own site. In other words, these tools may be benefiting Linktree’s SEO more than yours!
How Platforms Like Linktree Hurt Your SEO
- Backlinks Go to Linktree, Not Your Website
When someone clicks the link in your social media bio and lands on a Linktree page, that’s where the backlink credit stops. Even if they click through to your website from there, search engines don’t register it as a direct link to your site, meaning you lose valuable SEO power. - Link Equity Isn’t Transferred
Many of these platforms use what’s called “no-follow” links, which means that search engines don’t count them toward improving your website’s ranking. So even if hundreds of people visit your site via Linktree, Google won’t see those visits as a sign that your site is authoritative. - Missed Opportunities for Engagement and Data Tracking
When visitors land on your Linktree page, you lose the opportunity to engage them directly on your website. You also miss out on gathering valuable analytics that could help you optimise your content, since most of the interaction happens outside of your site. - Platform Dependency
Depending on a third-party platform for critical parts of your business can be risky. If Linktree changes its terms, limits features, or goes offline, your links become inaccessible. This can damage your brand’s online presence.
A Better Solution: Use Your Own Links Page
Instead of using Linktree, you can create a custom “Links” page on your own website that functions the same way but keeps the SEO benefits where they belong—on your domain. For example, check out Stoked Design’s links page. This page looks and behaves just like a Linktree profile but ensures that all traffic goes directly to the site, boosting its SEO value.
Here’s why this approach is better:
- All SEO Value Stays with Your Site: Every link on your page builds backlinks and passes SEO equity to your domain, helping it rank better on Google.
- Improved Branding: Visitors stay within your website’s ecosystem, experiencing your brand fully.
- Better Tracking and Control: You can monitor traffic more accurately using tools like Google Analytics and optimise the page for conversions.
- Future-Proof Your Strategy: You won’t be dependent on an external platform that could change or shut down.
How to Create a Links Page on Your Website
Don’t worry if you aren’t a tech expert—creating a simple links page is easier than you think. Here are some quick tips:
- Design a Mobile-Friendly Page
Since most visitors will come from social media on their phones, make sure the page is easy to navigate on mobile devices. Use simple buttons or clickable text links that resemble the layout of Linktree. - Keep It Clean and Simple
Include only the most important links—such as your website, blog, store, newsletter, or social channels. Avoid overwhelming visitors with too many options. - Use Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs)
Encourage visitors to take specific actions, like “Read the Latest Blog Post,” “Shop Now,” or “Join Our Newsletter.” - Track Performance with Analytics
Install Google Analytics (or similar tools) to monitor how many people visit your links page, where they click, and how long they stay. This data will help you improve the page and make better marketing decisions.
Other Alternatives to Linktree
If building your own links page feels like too much work, here are some other ways to avoid SEO pitfalls while still organising multiple links:
- Use a Rotating Bio Link: Change the link in your bio regularly to promote specific campaigns or products. This keeps visitors engaged and brings them directly to your site.
- Leverage Other Social Platforms: Some platforms like Pinterest or Twitter allow more link placements. Use those strategically to spread your traffic across multiple sources.
- Use Short Links with Tracking Parameters: Tools like Bitly or Rebrandly allow you to shorten URLs and track how they perform without relying on Linktree.
Conclusion: Keep Your SEO in Your Own Hands
Linktree and similar tools are tempting because they make it easy to manage multiple links in one place. However, they come at a cost—by sending traffic and SEO value to a third-party platform, you miss out on opportunities to boost your website’s search visibility.
The good news is that creating a links page on your own website is an easy and effective alternative. Not only do you retain full control over your brand and data, but you also ensure that every click benefits your SEO efforts. With small changes like these, you can build a stronger, more sustainable online presence that drives organic traffic and supports your business’s growth in the long term.
Take control of your links—and your SEO—by bringing everything back to your own website. Your search rankings (and future customers) will thank you!
