Linktree
Linktree is a freemium[1] social media reference landing page developed by Alex Zaccaria, Anthony Zaccaria, and Nick Humphreys, headquartered in Melbourne[2] and Sydney, Australia.[3] Founded in 2016, it is made to provide a landing page for a person or company's entire associated links in social media, which rarely allows linking multiple sites.[4] The site was inspired by the developers' annoyance with social media, in which it can't allow multiple hyperlinks.[5] It is stated to have more than 5 million users worldwide.
Developer |
|
---|---|
Type | Social media landing page |
Status | Active |
Members | 5 million+ |
Website | linktr |
History
Linktree was established in 2016, out of annoyance regarding social media not allowing multiple hyperlinks in profiles.[5] The site was created in six hours.[5] It is reported to have 3,000 users overnight, which caused the server to crash due to overload.[5] In 2018, Instagram banned the site[6] due to "spam," although it was lifted and Instagram issued an apology.[5] Despite it, Linktree has gained more than 5 million users.
Technique
Linktree is a freemium service: it is free, but also offers a 'Pro' subscription launched in April 2017,[5] which gives more benefits, such as more customization options, more detailed analytics, email sign-up integration, removal of the Linktree logo, etc.[7] Users can upload as many links as they wish despite not subscribing. Pro analytics allows users to view their click-through rates. Linktree also partnered with Amazon, allowing users to upload their Amazon store profile as an affiliate link.[8] Amid the George Floyd protests, Linktree allows users to turn the 'Support Anti-Racism' icon, which pops a tab linking visitors to articles to further understand racism, organizations to donate to, and places to protest.
Responses
Linktree received negative, mixed, to positive reviews. Social media-themed writer Brooke Ford highlights that "Linktree's a smart and free method of increasing the targeted traffic that you need for your business account."[4] A Digital Marketing Manager tagged Linktree as a "Tool to monetize Instagram."[9] An anonymous alternatives-based writer summarized that "Linktree can be a real life savior when it comes to boosting up your presence over the Internet."[10]
On the mixed to critical side, online publication Socialfollow states that "[It is not] a bad tool, it's not one of our recommended tools at the moment," and pointing another site called Bio.fm as a better alternative.[7] Two Linktree user recommended making a landing page on Squarespace instead of Linktree, due to it "crashed, and it might crashed again," that "you're one step further from your website," and that "it's not on brand."[6][11] Technology writer Rohit Ghodake points at the URL shortener interface, which "will not give effective marketing for your brand," as well as the basic analytics on the free version, however recommended it simply because "it does [its] job."[12] Writer on influencers Phoenix Manday states similar criticisms, and summarized that Linktree "is hurting [the user's] website['s] SEO."[13]
Accolades
In 2019, Linktree is included in CNBC's 'Upstart 100' list of "brightest, most intriguing, young startups promising to become the great companies of tomorrow."[14] In March 2020, Fast Company placed Linktree as fourth place in the 'Most Innovative Companies of 2020' list in the 'Social media' category for "making Instagram's "link in bio" into a sleek menu for sharing articles, merch, or paid partnerships."[2] The place is once earned in 2018 by Reddit,[15] in 2019 by Are.na,[16] and in 2016 by Periscope.[17]
Continuous Instagram bans
It is reported that Linktree is banned by Instagram in 2018,[6] since it is noted as "breaking the community standards," specifically as a spam website.[5][18] Although it has been lifted and Instagram has issued an apology, rumors circulate that Instagram will issue another ban.[7] Linktree states that they are "working on it" with their "representatives on Instagram."[18]
See also
References
- "Linktree Review: Advantages, Disadvantages, Alternatives & How To Use". RecentHub. 2020-06-01. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- "The 10 most innovative social media companies of 2020". Fast Company. 2020-03-10. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- "About Linktreeā¢ | The Linktree Story". Linktree. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
- Ford, Brooke (2020-07-01). "Linktree Review 2020 | What Is It? Is It Worth It? Should You Get It?". Gain More Followers. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- Zaccaria, Alex (2020-06-06). "Bootstrapped and Global from Day One: The Story of Linktree".
- Erica. "Why You Should Stop Using Linktree & How to Create Your Own in Squarespace". Big Cat Creative. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
- "Is Linktree Safe? Or Are There Better Alternatives?". Socialfollow. 2019-12-28. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- Andress, Lina (2020-03-31). "Linktree Review: Share Links Limitlessly (Real Pros & Cons)". HowSociable. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- B., Ivan (2020-06-04). "Tool to monetize Instagram". G2. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- "LinkTree Alternatives | Similar Sites Like LinkTree". Top Ten Alternatives. 2019-12-01. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
- Allen, Lindsey. "Why You Shouldn't Use Linktr.ee". Lindsey Allen Designs. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
- Ghodake, Rohit (2020-07-10). "Linktree Alternatives and Detailed Review | Instagram Link Bio Tool". Tech Seo Blog. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
- Manday, Phoenix (2019-11-06). "Does A Linktree Negatively Impact Your Website? Is Your Linktree Hurting Your Website SEO?". The Influence Agency. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
- Spiegel, David (2019-11-12). "100 of the world's most promising start-ups to watch in 2019". CNBC. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- "The World's Most Innovative Companies 2018: Social Media Honorees". Fast Company. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- "The World's Most Innovative Companies 2019: Social Media Honorees". Fast Company. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- "The World's Most Innovative Companies 2016: Social Media Honorees". Fast Company. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- "We've been notified of an issue with Instagram..." Linktree (Twitter). 2018-06-13. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
External links
- Bio.fm official website, a mentioned alternative for Linktree