If you are on Instagram, you have probably seen influencers use Linktree and wondered if you should use it yourself. Opinions on this subject seems to be very divided. Some think it’s great and it meets their needs, but others think it is a waste of time and you are giving potential traffic away.
What is Linktree?
In simple terms, Linktree is a free resource that creates a landing page where you can list multiple links from your social profiles. This is particularly useful on a platform like Instagram, where you can only list one link in your bio. But it also works with Pinterest, TikTok and other social platforms. The idea is that you have one link that links out to all your resources.
There are of course competitors products, like bio link and Tailwind.
Why is Linktree useful?
Say a potential reader/customer finds you for the first time through Instagram, and you want to let them know about all the wonderful accounts and services you have. With Linktree or similar services, you provide them with links to your TikTik, Facebook, Twitter, blog, online shop or other destinations. You might use it to feature your business, or you may be working on a specific campaign and want to take people there for further information.
The argument against Linktree
If you’re trying to grow your audience (and if you’re reading this, then you are!), it’s important to consider some of the drawbacks to using Linktree or similar
You don’t want to give away your traffic! As we know, if you have a blog, you always want to be driving traffic to it and capturing your audience. By using another third-party site to create a landing page, you direct people away from it. You’re reliant on their technology, any changes they make affect you and depending on their terms of usage, they may own all the data filtered through their tool or app and you may not be able to access it.
With your own blog, it’s easy to make your own landing page.
Finally, don’t push too many links
However you do it, there is a problem with showering followers with link: You could be giving them too many options to click. You might lose them or they might not click on the link you really want to drive them to. In marketing there is the concept of positioning – you need to handhold people and tell them what you are or they will make something up themselves.
A good rule of thumb when listing links is to do it judiciously, don’t overwhelm your followers, only highlight your top 3 or 4 links and change them frequently to keep them fresh.
It’s vital when using any third-party tool to carefully evaluate it and to weigh the benefits with the costs, literal and figurative, to ensure that people can find, experience and interact with your brand in the best way possible.
More tools for influencers
About
BritMums is the UK’s original collective of lifestyle bloggers and digital influencers, fueling the country’s most influential social content. We lead the online conversation with members who are parent social influencers creating content on topics ranging from food, parenting, travel, politics, style and more.