Linky

Remember when a bio link was just… a link? Maybe a YouTube video or your merch store? Fast forward to 2025, and it’s a whole strategy. For creators, the link-in-bio isn’t a nice-to-have anymore—it’s the hub. The storefront. The calling card. The mini-universe where content, commerce, and community all collide.

And honestly? It’s kind of wild how far we’ve come.

Let’s take a look at what top creators are actually putting in their bio links right now—and how they’re turning those little URLs into engines for growth, income, and visibility.

Creator Goals = Creator Links

Before we get into the what, it helps to know the why. Every creator’s link-in-bio setup is shaped by their goals:

Monetization? You’ll see storefronts, affiliate links, and donation buttons.
Community growth? Expect Discord invites, newsletter signups, maybe even Notion pages.
Brand deals or press? Then it’s media kits, testimonials, and a few standout metrics.
Content discovery? They’re linking directly to series, playlists, or latest uploads.

So if you’re wondering, “Should I link to my Etsy or my Substack?”—the answer is: depends what you want people to do first.

The Must-Haves of 2025 (and Why They’re Different from 2023)

This year, the trend is clear: static isn’t cutting it anymore. The top links are timely, relevant, and refreshable.

Here’s what keeps showing up on high-performing bio pages:

Latest Content First. Whether it’s a YouTube short, a TikTok series, or a carousel of IG posts, creators are pushing their freshest stuff to the top. Some even label them “NEW 🔥” or “Just Dropped.”
Booking Links. Coaches, freelancers, makeup artists—they all have “Book Me” or “Work With Me” CTAs. Calendly, Koalendar, and Linky’s embedded booking blocks make that a breeze.
Direct Checkout. Think Ko-fi, Buy Me a Coffee, Gumroad, or even Shopify buttons. Fans shouldn’t have to click six times to support you. The new standard? One tap and they’re paying.
Newsletter Funnels. Substack, Beehiiv, or good ol’ Mailchimp links are big again. But now they’re styled to feel less like email capture forms and more like VIP passes. “Want insider content?” “Get my unfiltered takes.”
Social Proof. A single tweet embed or fan comment can add serious credibility. You’ll see creators pinning these next to CTAs or merch links for that extra trust bump.

Creative Experiments We’re Loving

Beyond the essentials, some creators are getting wildly creative—and it’s working.

TikTok Playlists, Embedded. A dance creator we spotted had her top 3 tutorials playing right on her Linky page. Not just a thumbnail—a real carousel you could swipe through.
Writers with Micro-Hubs. Instead of linking to “My Writing,” they’re splitting it by theme: “Essays on Rest,” “Notes on Online Fame,” “Short Fiction.” It invites curiosity and depth.
Mood of the Month. One photographer drops a new “vibe” each month—think playlists, one new photo series, a quote, and a mini blog. Followers come back just to see what changed.
Before/After Galleries. Perfect for stylists, interior designers, fitness coaches. These aren’t clunky Instagram grids—they’re curated visual stories, often powered by custom layouts or tools like Canva or Linky themes.

Real Talk: What’s Out?

Some bio link trends just aren’t cutting it anymore:

20-button pages. If it feels like a phone menu from 2009, people bounce. The golden number? Somewhere between 4–6 strong links, each with a clear purpose.
Outdated press kits. Static resumes are being replaced with short intro videos or swipeable testimonials.
“Link Trees” with no identity. If your bio page doesn’t look like you, it’s not doing its job. Your audience wants personality—not a grey button list.

Micro-Branding: Your Page, Your Story

One shift we’re seeing? Creators are turning their bio links into aesthetic statements.

Custom fonts. Curated colors. Emojis that feel intentional. Even how you name your links matters—“Watch” hits different than “Click here.”

This is where tools like Linky’s Themes feature come in. You can go moody, minimalist, or maximalist—whatever mirrors your vibe. We’ve seen a tarot reader with animated cards on scroll and a coffee creator with a latte-brown palette and hand-scribbled font. It’s not just design—it’s brand DNA.

Fast vs. Slow Links: Stacking with Purpose

Not all links are created equal. Some demand urgency (“Buy before midnight!”). Others are for the slow scroll—your About Me, testimonials, deeper reads.

The best creators layer them smartly. Like:

Top = Action. Latest post, merch drop, booking link.
Middle = Connection. Newsletter, community, playlists.
Bottom = Discovery. Old blog archives, past projects, the “get to know me” stuff.

We’ve broken this strategy down more in our CTA placement guide.

The Toolkit (Yes, Including Linky)

Let’s be real: creators are using all kinds of tools to build these setups. Linky’s a big one—especially with TikTok-friendly layouts, dynamic embeds, and analytics baked in.

Others in the mix?

Calendly or Koalendar (for bookings)
Substack/Beehiiv (for newsletters)
Shopify/Gumroad/Stan Store (for selling)
Canva (for visuals and banners)
Stripe or Ko-fi (for direct payments)

But the real magic? Knowing what to link when—and keeping it fresh.

Final Thought: Your Link, Your Strategy

If you take nothing else away from this, take this: your bio link is not a parking lot.

It’s a living thing. A mini-launchpad. A scroll-stopper.

Whether you're showing off, selling, booking, or building a world—your bio link should feel like you. That’s what makes people click. And keep clicking.

So go ahead—trim the fat, pick a theme, and make your link page work as hard as you do.

P.S. Need a refresh? Check out Linky Explore for real examples from creators like you.