What is a Custom Domain (and Do You Need One)?
Every creator on Link In The Bio receives an instant, high-speed bio link formatted as inthebio.link/yourname. For most creators, this default URL is clean, blazing fast, and ready to share immediately.
However, if you own an external domain (e.g., yourbrand.com or alexrivera.com), connecting a dedicated subdomain like links.yourbrand.com or bio.yourbrand.com elevates your personal brand.
When fans tap your link on Instagram or TikTok, your own brand domain remains in their mobile address bar, reinforcing authenticity and eliminating third-party tool references.
Why We Recommend a Subdomain (links.yourbrand.com)
If you already run an online store, portfolio, or corporate site on your root domain (yourbrand.com or www.yourbrand.com), you should NOT point your apex domain to your bio page.
Instead, create a dedicated subdomain such as links.yourbrand.com, bio.yourbrand.com, or go.yourbrand.com. This keeps your main website completely intact while giving your social media followers an optimized, lightweight mobile landing page.
Step 1: Add a CNAME Record in Your DNS Provider
To connect your custom subdomain, add a single CNAME (Canonical Name) record in your domain registrar’s DNS control panel (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, Google Domains / Squarespace, or Porkbun):
| DNS Field | Value to Enter | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Record Type | CNAME | Canonical Name alias record |
| Host / Name | links (or bio) | The subdomain prefix before your domain name |
| Target / Value | Copy from Dashboard Settings | Your project-specific Vercel edge routing target |
| TTL | Auto (or 3600) | DNS cache propagation lifetime |
Step 2: Save Your Domain in Account Settings
Once the CNAME record is saved in your DNS provider, return to your Link In The Bio dashboard:
1. Navigate to Account Settings (/dashboard/settings).
2. Scroll down to the Custom Domain section.
3. Enter your full subdomain (e.g. links.yourbrand.com) and click Save Domain.
Our edge infrastructure verifies the DNS entry and automatically provisions an SSL security certificate within 5 to 15 minutes.
Step 3: Update Your Social Media Profiles
Once SSL verification is active, update your Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X bio fields with your new branded URL (e.g. https://links.yourbrand.com).
Your audience will enjoy an instant-loading, beautifully styled bio page under your authentic personal brand.