TikTok is a popular short-form video app that allows users to create, share, and discover videos lasting up to 60 seconds. Since launching in 2016, TikTok has grown to over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide.
On TikTok, there are two main types of accounts – personal accounts and creator accounts. Creator accounts, also known as TikTok creator accounts, are designed for users who want to grow a following and build their brand on TikTok.
Unlike regular personal accounts, TikTok creator accounts unlock additional features such as analytics, the ability to add links to your profile, and access to TikTok’s Creator Fund which pays creators for views on their videos. Setting up a creator account is free and easy to do within the TikTok app.
What is a TikTok Link in Bio?
A TikTok link in bio allows users to add a clickable URL in their TikTok profile’s bio section. This link directs viewers to an external website or landing page of the user’s choosing. According to EmbedSocial, “a TikTok link in bio usually means an URL that leads to their business website, a service, or a product page – depending on what content the account shares.”
The link in bio provides a way for TikTok creators and brands to drive traffic from their TikTok profiles to other sites. As explained by Later, “TikTok’s link in bio is a huge opportunity for brands and creators to drive traffic from the app.” By including a strategic link, TikTok users can funnel their audience to related content and conversion opportunities off the TikTok platform.
In summary, a TikTok link in bio is a clickable URL in a TikTok user’s profile bio section that allows directing viewers to external sites and pages from the user’s TikTok profile.
Are Links Allowed in TikTok Bios?
Yes, links are allowed in TikTok bios, but there are some restrictions. According to Later.com[1], only TikTok accounts with a “Pro Account” status can add clickable links to their bio. Regular personal accounts cannot add working links.
TikTok officially launched the Pro Account feature in 2021 as a way for brands, businesses, and creators to optimize their presence on TikTok. According to TikTok[2], Pro Accounts allow users to access analytics, promote content, and use branded content templates.
So in summary, adding a clickable link in your TikTok bio is reserved for Pro Accounts. If you try to add a link with a regular personal account, it will not be clickable for other viewers. Upgrading to a Pro Account is the only way to get a working clickable link in your TikTok bio.
Types of Links Allowed
TikTok allows most types of links to be added to bios, with some exceptions. The main types of links you can add include:
- Links to other social media profiles like Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, etc.
- Links to external websites, online stores, or landing pages
- Affiliate links using services like Linktree or Milkshake
- Links to products on ecommerce platforms like Amazon, Etsy, Shopify, etc.
- Links to crowdfunding pages like GoFundMe, Kickstarter, Indiegogo, etc.
You cannot add links directly to other TikTok profiles or videos. TikTok also prohibits links that contain inappropriate, dangerous, or illegal content.
How to Add a Link to Your TikTok Bio
Adding a link to your TikTok bio is easy to do in just a few steps:
- Open the TikTok app and go to your profile page.
- Tap “Edit Profile” to edit your bio.
- Type your bio information and include the text you want to be hyperlinked.
- Highlight the text you want to hyperlink and tap the chain link icon.
- Paste the URL you want to link to into the popup window.
- Tap “Done” in the top right corner to save your changes.
According to Later, you can also use linking services like Linkin.bio to create a custom URL that redirects to your website or landing page. Then copy this custom URL and paste it into your TikTok bio.
Once you’ve added a link to your bio, the chosen text will be highlighted and act as a clickable link to drive traffic to your site or chosen URL.
Tips for Using Links Effectively
Here are some best practices for utilizing links effectively in your TikTok bio:
Choose links strategically – Only include links that are highly relevant to your target audience and content. Don’t clutter your bio with too many links. Focus on your most important call-to-action.
Keep links up to date – Make sure the links you provide actually work and direct users to active pages. Check regularly that none of your links are broken.
Write clear link text – Use brief but descriptive text for each link so users know what they can expect when they click. Don’t just say “Click here.”
Shorten lengthy URLs – Use a link shortening tool like bit.ly to shrink long website URLs so they don’t take up your whole bio.
Track link clicks – Use link tracking tools to see which of your links are driving the most traffic so you can optimize further.
Limit promotional links – While you can include affiliate/product links, don’t make your whole bio just promotional. Offer value to your audience.
Test different links – Try linking to different pages on your site or swapping the link text to see if it impacts click-through rate.
Place key link first – Put your most important or most popular link in the first clickable position for maximum visibility.
Link Restrictions and Guidelines
TikTok has specific policies around including links in bios to help protect the community. According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, links must comply with the platform’s rules prohibiting spam, scams, violence, illegal activities, regulated goods, dangerous individuals and organizations, and other harmful content.
Links also cannot mislead users by purporting to be something they’re not. For example, linking to inappropriate or explicit external websites from your TikTok bio would violate the guidelines.
Additionally, TikTok prohibits linking to sites that provide users with inflated social metrics like fake views, followers, likes, and comments. Services that artificially boost a TikTok account’s popularity are banned.
Links must lead to an active destination. Broken links or those redirecting users to error pages are not allowed in bios. The linked site should also be fully functional on both desktop and mobile.
According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, you must comply with these rules to keep your TikTok account in good standing.
Promoting Your Link
Once you have added a link to your TikTok bio, you’ll want to drive traffic to it. Here are some strategies for promoting your link and getting more clicks:
Make your profile stand out by customizing it with branded elements like profile photo, banner image, and bio description. This makes your profile memorable and encourages viewers to check out your link. You can also include your website name or branded hashtag in your username to reinforce it (https://later.com/blog/tiktok-link-in-bio/).
Engage your audience consistently with high-quality and entertaining videos that align with your brand. This helps build a loyal following that will be more inclined to click your link. Consider running TikTok contests or giveaways that require visiting your link for entry.
Strategically use captions, hashtags, stickers, text and graphics to highlight your link and remind viewers to check your bio. You can get creative with cues like “Link in bio” or “Check my bio for details”. Just don’t overdo it.
Cross-promote your TikTok profile and link through other social platforms like Instagram. Leverage multi-channel marketing to maximize exposure. You can also encourage followers on other channels to follow your TikTok for the link.
Analyze link click performance in your TikTok analytics. Identify top videos driving traffic and continue producing similar high-converting content. Consider promoted ads to further boost organic reach and link clicks.
Link Alternatives
While links in bios provide a convenient way to direct TikTok viewers elsewhere, they aren’t the only option. Here are some alternatives for creators who want to share content outside of TikTok without relying solely on links in bios:
Promote other social media accounts like Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter to provide additional outlets for your content and community. Encourage viewers to follow you on other platforms in captions or verbally in videos.
Use TikTok’s link stickers when allowed to link to individual pieces of content. Place stickers strategically on relevant videos to highlight specific products, articles, etc.
Collaborate with other creators and ask them to mention or promote your website, products, or services in their content. Cross-promotion can help reach new audiences organically.
Leverage other features like TikTok’s bios and usernames which now support links. Bios connect to external sites so consider promoting your website or online profiles.
Redirect services like Linktree, Milkshake, or LinkinProfile can create a central landing page linking out to all of your content and profiles.
While not as convenient as a simple link in bio, these alternatives allow creators to share external destinations without relying on that single outlet. Mixing up promotion strategies can help maximize reach and discovery.
Conclusion
In summary, while TikTok does not allow clickable links directly in user bios, there are a few workarounds. Creators can include links in their video captions and pinned comments, use link stickers within their videos, and list non-clickable URLs in their profile bio text. These methods allow creators to share external websites and connect further with their audience.
When including links, creators should follow TikTok’s guidelines to avoid restrictions. Links should direct to appropriate content and should complement the video, providing value to viewers. Overall, links allow TikTok creators to expand their presence beyond the app itself.
With some creativity, TikTok’s links limitations can be overcome. The platform continues to evolve, so new link features may be on the horizon. For now, creators can strategically share links to grow their audience and traffic. As long as guidelines are followed, links present exciting opportunities on TikTok.
