Most artists treat their link-in-bio like a directory. Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Bandcamp, maybe a merch store. A list of places people can go to find you somewhere else.
That's fine. It works. But think about what actually happens when someone clicks one of those links. They land on Spotify or Apple Music, and now they're on that platform. They're one autoplay away from listening to someone else. You spent all this effort getting someone curious enough to leave Instagram or TikTok, and you sent them straight to a place designed to pull their attention away from you.
Your link-in-bio should do more than redirect
The best use of a link-in-bio isn't pointing people to other platforms. It's giving them a reason to stay—a real experience with your music, not just a routing page.
Let them actually listen. If someone clicks your link, they probably want to hear your music. So let them play it right there. No app required, no login, no redirect. Just press play.
Give them something they can't get anywhere else. Lyrics, liner notes, credits, the story behind the song. The stuff that makes people feel like they're getting closer to the artist, not just consuming another track in a feed.
Make it a living page, not a static list. Update it with new releases. Add bonus content for your most engaged fans. Use password-protected tracks to reward the people on your email list or your closest supporters. Give people a reason to come back.
Include a call to action. This is the part almost everyone skips. Your link-in-bio gets traffic every single day, and most artists never ask the visitor to do anything. Sign up for updates. Pre-save the new album. Listen to the latest single. Even just “start here” goes a long way.
The bar is low (and that's good news)
Most artists are still running a plain list of links. Which means even a small upgrade stands out. If your link-in-bio lets someone press play, read your liner notes, and sign up for your email list, you're already doing more than 90% of artists out there.
You don't need to overthink it. You just need to stop treating your most visible link like a phone book.
Try Gatefolded free for 7 days and turn your link-in-bio into a listening experience.