Linktree Goes Dark in India — And the Company Isn’t Sure Why

Published on August 18, 2025 by @mritxperts

Over the past week, Linktree — the popular “link-in-bio” service used by millions of creators, small businesses, and organizations — suddenly became inaccessible across several major Indian networks. The blackout left creators frustrated, audiences disconnected, and the company itself uncertain about the root cause.

What Happened?

Users across multiple internet providers in India reported that Linktree pages stopped loading. Initially, some saw messages hinting at a government block, but later, these errors shifted to SSL protocol issues. Even the Linktree mobile app faced accessibility problems, further limiting options for users.

The company confirmed it was investigating the matter but did not provide clarity on whether this was due to government action, technical issues at the ISP level, or a problem on Linktree’s own systems. Meanwhile, Indian authorities have remained silent or given inconsistent signals, deepening the confusion.

Why the Confusion?

India’s blocking and takedown system is powerful but often opaque. In cases of “national security” or “public order,” platforms may be taken offline without a public notice. This means creators and businesses could lose access to critical tools without warning, and even companies like Linktree may not be immediately informed about the reason.

Who Is Affected?

  • Creators & Small Businesses: Influencers, entrepreneurs, and freelancers who use Linktree as the main hub for their Instagram, WhatsApp, or Twitter profiles saw their audience engagement plummet.
  • Organizations & Political Accounts: Several official and political accounts also rely on Linktree to share resources, leaving their Indian audiences unable to access key information.
  • Everyday Users: Anyone who clicked a Linktree link in India during this outage was met with errors, breaking the flow between creators and followers.

Possible Reasons Behind the Blackout

  1. Government-Ordered Block: The most common explanation when multiple ISPs restrict access at the same time.
  2. ISP-Level Technical Issues: Misconfigurations in SSL or DNS routing can sometimes mimic the effects of a block.
  3. Platform-Side Problems: Internal issues within Linktree itself, coinciding with network filtering, could also result in such outages.

At this point, none of these possibilities have been confirmed, which is why both creators and users remain in the dark.

What Can Creators Do Right Now?

If you depend on Linktree or any similar service, here are practical steps to safeguard your reach:

  • Build Your Own Landing Page: A simple “yourname.com” page with key links ensures full control.
  • Use Multiple Links: Where platforms allow, add an alternate website or pinned post with important links.
  • Switch to Alternatives: Services like Carrd, bio.link, and Beacons can work as quick backups.
  • Share Links Directly: Post critical links in captions, pinned tweets, or Instagram highlights until services are restored.
  • Keep Backups: Store all your affiliate or tracking links separately in case third-party platforms fail.

The Bigger Picture

This incident highlights a fragile reality of the creator economy: centralizing digital presence on third-party platforms can be risky. Overnight, millions of links — and with them, opportunities for engagement, sales, and communication — disappeared for Indian users.

For creators and businesses, the lesson is clear: own your digital presence. A personal website, mailing list, and diversified link hubs provide a stronger safety net against sudden outages or blocks.

Final Word

At the time of writing, Linktree continues to investigate the situation, while users in India remain cut off from the service. Whether it’s a regulatory decision, a network issue, or a technical error, one thing is certain: the disruption has caused significant inconvenience and underscored the importance of digital independence for creators and businesses alike.