Linktree
Linktree runs the top link-in-bio page creators use to gather their links and sell things.
On the record
Checkpoint: Retention and churn data after the 46-67% price hikes and the OpenAI data-sharing backlash
The call
Linktree still owns the link-in-bio habit for 70 million creators, but free bundled tools from Shopify and Squarespace, plus AI page builders that build the same thing for nothing, are closing in just as Linktree raises prices.
Linktree lets creators and businesses put multiple links in one place (usually in their Instagram bio). The problem is that Instagram, Shopify, and Squarespace now offer the same thing for free as part of their own services, and new AI page builders like Canva or v0 can make a link page in seconds with no special tool needed. What could save Linktree is whether its newer paid features like online courses and storefronts attract enough customers to replace money lost from users leaving after recent price increases and concerns about how the company shares data with OpenAI.
Why
01
AI pressure: v0, Lovable, Bolt, Canva AI page builders. AI tools now spit out a link page in seconds, so the thing Linktree sells is becoming a free byproduct of other software. Could AI do the core job? Yes, likely.
02
Bigger players: Shopify (Linkpop, Bio Sites) and Squarespace (Bio Sites), plus Instagram's native multi-link bio. Shopify and Squarespace already bundle free link-in-bio pages into tools creators pay for anyway, and Instagram lets people skip Linktree entirely. Could a giant copy it? Yes, easily.
03
What protects it. 70 million creators already have linktr.ee stamped across their bios, and switching means updating every platform that link touches.
What would change this call
Linktree's user count relative to 75M-80M by Q1 2027. Whether growth continues or plateaus as brand-inertia moat weakens.
Public churn or retention commentary from creators through Q4 2026. Whether the Nov 2025 price hike and July 2026 OpenAI terms backlash caused measurable user loss.
Reported ARR staying flat below ~$65M into Q1 2027. Whether monetization suite and price hikes are offsetting churn or revenue is stalling.
Public churn or retention commentary from creators through Q4 2026. Whether the Nov 2025 price hike and July 2026 OpenAI terms backlash caused measurable user loss.
Reported ARR staying flat below ~$65M into Q1 2027. Whether monetization suite and price hikes are offsetting churn or revenue is stalling.
Key numbers
- $61.6M estimated ARR
- 70M+ users, up from 50M in May 2024
- Pro plan price jumped 67% ($9 to $15)
Named risks
- Nov 2025 price hikes (up to 67%) driving churn chatter into 2026.
- July 2026 OpenAI data-sharing terms triggered creator backlash since June 2026.
- Core link-aggregation feature commoditized by generic AI page builders.
- Free bundled tools from Shopify and Squarespace eroding pure-play differentiation.
- Headcount estimates show sharp decline from ~300 peak, execution capacity uncertain.
Rivals, as read in July 2026
| Rival | Direction | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify (Linkpop, Bio Sites) | gaining on | Ships free bundled link-in-bio tools inside larger commerce platform, noted as of 2026-06-21 |
| Squarespace (Bio Sites) | gaining on | Free bundled link-in-bio tool inside website platform, noted 2026-06-21 |
| contesting | Natively supports multiple bio links since April 2023, removing need for third-party tool | |
| Beacons | contesting | Free tier with 9% transaction fee and stronger creator-commerce features, vendor-claimed 2026-05-14 |
| Stan Store | contesting | All-in-one storefront at $29-99/mo with 0% platform fee, vendor-claimed 2026-04-08 |
| Koji, Bento, Fingertip | gaining on | All three acquired and shut down by Linktree 2023-2026, removed as independent rivals |
Questions people ask
- Is Linktree profitable in 2026?
- No current profitability figures are disclosed. Startup Daily reported Linktree was profitable near-launch through 2016-2022 (2022-08-09), but as a private company it has not published financials since, and no 2026 profitability data exists.
- Could AI replace Linktree?
- Its core link-aggregation and page templating are trivially replicable by generic AI builders like v0, Lovable, and Canva. Linktree responded with its own AI design tools (Sept 2025) and AI Creator Index (April 2026) as defensive, unproven bolt-ons.
- Who owns Linktree?
- Linktree Pty Ltd is privately held, founded 2016 in Melbourne by Alex Zaccaria, Anthony Zaccaria, and Nick Humphreys. It last raised $110M in a Series C on 2022-03-16 (Index Ventures, Coatue) valuing it at $1.3B to $1.7B, with no new round since.
- What is Linktree's biggest competitor?
- Shopify (Linkpop, Bio Sites) and Squarespace (Bio Sites) offer free link-in-bio tools bundled into larger commerce platforms as of 2026-06-21, while Beacons and Stan Store compete directly on creator monetization features.
- Has Linktree had layoffs?
- Yes. Linktree cut 17% of its global workforce in August 2022 and a further 27% of its ANZ team in June 2023 as it reoriented toward the US market. No confirmed layoffs have been reported since 2023.
- Did Linktree raise its prices?
- Yes. Effective October 1, 2025, Linktree raised Pro from $9 to $15 (+67%), Starter from $5 to $8 (+60%), and Premium from $24 to $35 (+46%), per its own pricing notice dated 2025-09-30.
Timeline
- 2026-07-05New Terms enable OpenAI data-sharing for ChatGPT search plus generative-AI and algorithm-training clauses
- 2026-04-23Launched AI-powered Creator Index quiz and expanded Insights Chat analytics tool
- 2025-11-13Acquired Fingertip; product set to sunset May 1, 2026 with migration to LinkApps
- 2025-09-30Announced price hikes effective Oct 1: Pro +67%, Starter +60%, Premium +46%
- 2025-09-24Launched AI-assisted design tools with Canva integration
- 2025-04-23Rolled out creator-monetization suite: courses, sponsored links, storefronts, Rewards
- 2024-05-24Announced 50 million user milestone
- 2023-06-06Cut 27% of ANZ workforce in second round of layoffs
- 2022-08-09Cut 17% of global workforce in first major layoff round
- 2022-03-16Raised $110M Series C led by Index Ventures and Coatue at $1.3B-$1.7B valuation
Revision history
23 July 2026
First assessed. Losing its protection. The text above is fixed as of this date and is not edited afterwards.
In the same band
Sources
- Terms (2026-07-05)
- Linktree raises $10.7m USD (2020-10-25)
- This is just the start of the Linktree journey (2021-03-24)
- Linktree raises $110 million (2022-03-16)
- $61.6M Est. ARR, $1.3B Valuation (2025-11-30)
- Celebrating 50 Million Linkers on Linktree! (2024-05-24)
- Linktree surpasses 50M users, rolls out its social commerce program to more creators (2024-05-22)
- Linktree is the latest tech startup to cut jobs (2022-08-09)
- Linktree slashes local jobs again (2023-06-06)
- Pricing Notice (2025-09-30)
- Linktree rolls out a suite of monetization features for creators (2025-04-23)
- Linktree CEO Talks New Features (2025-09-24)