What a link tree is and why you might use one

A link tree is a single webpage that holds multiple clickable links — usually to your social media accounts, website, email signup, or other destinations. Instead of putting one URL in your Instagram or TikTok bio, you put the link tree URL there. When someone clicks it, they land on a page with all your links in one place.

The main reason to use one: social media platforms limit you to a single clickable link in your profile. A link tree solves that problem without asking your followers to type anything or hunt through your bio text. It also lets you see which links people actually click, if the tool tracks that data.

You do not need a link tree if you only have one destination you want to send people to — just use that URL directly. But if you want to point people toward your newsletter, your shop, your YouTube channel, and your email contact form all from one bio link, a link tree makes that possible.

Key Takeaways

  • A link tree is a straightforward webpage with multiple links that you can put in your social media bio instead of choosing just one destination.
  • Linktree, Beacons, Stan Store, and Carrd are the most common tools, and most offer a free version with basic features.
  • You create an account, add your links with titles and descriptions, customize the look, and then copy the link tree URL into your social bio.
  • The whole process takes 10 to 20 minutes if you already know which links you want to include.
  • Some link trees let you track which links get clicked; others are just a landing page with no analytics.

The most common link tree tools and what they offer

Linktree is the largest and most recognizable. The free version lets you add up to 5 links, customize colors and fonts, and see basic click counts. Paid plans ($5 to $25 per month) add more links, custom domains, and advanced analytics. You do not need to pay to get your free guide.

Beacons is designed for creators and includes a free tier with unlimited links, a built-in tip jar, and the ability to sell digital products directly from your link tree. If you want to collect money or sell something, Beacons handles that without sending people elsewhere.

Stan Store focuses on selling — it is built for creators who want to sell courses, digital files, or memberships. The free version is limited; most people use it on a paid plan ($29 to $99 per month). Use this only if selling is your main goal.

Carrd is a one-page website builder that works as a link tree but also lets you add text, images, and forms. It costs $19 per year for a custom domain or $9 per year for a Carrd subdomain. It is good if you want something that looks more like a personal landing page than a straightforward link list.

For most people starting out, Linktree or Beacons is the right choice because both are free to start and require no technical knowledge.

How to set up a link tree in Linktree step by step

Go to linktree.com and click "Sign up free". Enter your email address and create a password. You will be asked to choose a Linktree handle — this becomes part of your link tree URL. For example, if you choose "sarah_photos", your link tree URL will be linktree.com/sarah_photos. Pick something short and straightforward to type.

After you sign up, you land in the dashboard. Click "Add link" and enter the destination URL (for example, your Instagram profile or your website). Give it a title — "Instagram", "My Newsletter", "Shop" — that tells people where the link goes. You can add a description too, but the title is what matters most.

Keep adding links until you have included everything you want people to find. You can drag and drop them to reorder them — put the most important ones at the top. Then click on "Appearance" to change the background color, font, or button style if you want. The default look is fine; customizing is optional.

Once you are done, copy your Linktree URL (it shows at the top of the page) and paste it into your social media bio. On Instagram, paste it in the "Website" field. On TikTok, paste it in the "Bio link" field. On Twitter, paste it in your bio text. Now when someone clicks that link, they see your link tree.

How to set up a link tree in Beacons if you want to collect tips or sell

Go to beacons.ai and click "Sign up". Enter your email and password, then choose your Beacons handle. Like Linktree, this becomes your URL — beacons.ai/your_handle.

In the dashboard, click "Add link" and enter the destination URL and a title. Beacons lets you add unlimited links on the free plan. If you want to collect tips or sell a digital product, click "Add tip jar" or "Add product" instead of a regular link. You can set the tip amounts or upload a file to sell.

Customize the appearance by clicking "Appearance" — you can change colors, fonts, and add a profile photo. When you are ready, copy your Beacons URL and paste it into your social media bios the same way you would with Linktree.

What to put in your link tree and how to order it

Start by listing everything you want people to reach: your main website, Instagram, YouTube, newsletter signup, email contact, shop, or anything else. Then rank them by importance. If your goal is to grow your email list, put the newsletter signup near the top. If you want people to follow you on Instagram, put that high up.

Most people put their most important link first, then secondary links, then nice-to-have links at the bottom. Someone scrolling on a phone will see the top links without scrolling; links at the bottom require more effort to reach.

Keep titles short and clear: "Newsletter", "YouTube", "Shop", "Email me". Avoid vague titles like "Click here" or "More". People should know where each link goes before they click it.

Tracking which links people actually click

Linktree's free version shows you how many times each link was clicked in the past 30 days. Click on "Analytics" in the dashboard to see the numbers. This tells you which of your links are getting attention and which are not — useful information if you want to know whether people care about your newsletter or your shop.

Beacons also shows click counts on the free plan. Carrd's free version does not include analytics. If analytics matter to you, Linktree or Beacons is the better choice.

Keep in mind that click counts do not tell you everything. A link with few clicks might still be valuable if the right person clicks it. But if a link gets zero clicks over several months, you might consider removing it or moving it higher on the page.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not use a link tree as an excuse to ignore your main website or email list. A link tree is a tool to direct people somewhere else — it should not be your only destination. Make sure the links in your tree actually go somewhere useful and are kept up to date.

Do not add so many links that the page becomes overwhelming. More than 10 links is usually too many; people will not scroll through a long list. If you have that many destinations, consider grouping them or removing the least important ones.

Do not forget to update your link tree if a URL changes. If you move your shop to a new platform or change your email address, update the link in your tree so people do not land on a broken page or outdated information.

Do not rely on a link tree as your only backup. If the service goes down or closes, your bio link stops working. Keep your own website or email list as a primary way people can reach you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a custom domain instead of linktree.com or beacons.ai?

Yes, but it usually costs extra. Linktree's paid plans let you use a custom domain like links.yourname.com. Carrd includes a custom domain on its paid plan. Beacons does not offer custom domains on the free plan. If you want a custom domain, expect to pay $5 to $20 per month depending on the tool.

What happens if I delete a link from my link tree?

The link disappears from your link tree when ready. Anyone who clicks that spot will see nothing. If you think you might want the link back later, consider hiding it instead of deleting it — most tools let you toggle links on and off without removing them.

Can I use the same link tree across different social media platforms?

Yes. You can paste the same link tree URL into your Instagram bio, TikTok bio, Twitter bio, and anywhere else. Everyone lands on the same page with the same links. This is the whole point of a link tree — one URL that works everywhere.

Do I need to pay for a link tree to use it?

No. Linktree and Beacons both have free versions that work well for most people. You only need to pay if you want advanced features like a custom domain, more customization options, or higher analytics limits. Start free and upgrade only if you need something the free version does not offer.

Can I see where my link tree visitors are coming from?

Linktree and Beacons show you how many clicks each link gets, but not detailed information about which social platform the visitor came from or their location. If you need that level of detail, you would need to use a more advanced analytics tool or your own website with Google Analytics.