Smart Sites vs Rich Embeds
See a side-by-side comparison of rich embeds (media on your bio) versus Smart Sites (forms, bookings, and pixel on external websites) so you pick the right tool.
Linkssi offers two embed concepts that sound similar but solve different jobs. Confusing them leads to wrong plan expectations and failed installs. This article clarifies which tool to use when.
Sales and support teams should memorise this split: rich embeds = content on the bio; Smart Sites = conversion on external websites.
Rich embeds
What: Native players and previews for third-party media — YouTube, Spotify, TikTok, Instagram, Vimeo, and similar.
Where: On your Linkssi bio page only, added as Embed blocks in Dashboard → Bio.
Plans: All plans, including Free. Unlimited embeds.
Job: Keep visitors engaged with video and audio without leaving your bio. Showcase work, playlists, and social proof.
Not: Forms, bookings, or pixel on a WordPress site.
Read Rich Embeds on Your Bio.
Smart Sites
What: Linkssi-owned embeds — lead forms, booking widgets, and the Linkssi Pixel script.
Where: On external websites — client WordPress, static HTML, landing pages, anywhere you can paste a snippet.
Plans: Pro and Premium only.
Job: Capture leads and appointments off-bio; record browsing intent; merge activity into Contacts CRM; power automations.
Not: YouTube or Spotify players on external sites.
Read What Are Smart Sites? and Installing Smart Sites Embeds & Pixel.
Side-by-side comparison
| Question | Rich embeds | Smart Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Hosts media from YouTube/Spotify? | Yes | No |
| Works on linkssi.com/yourslug? | Yes | N/A (bio uses blocks, not Smart Sites) |
| Works on clientwebsite.com? | No | Yes (forms, bookings, pixel) |
| Feeds Leads/Contacts CRM? | Only via separate form blocks on bio | Yes |
| Minimum plan | Free | Pro |
Decision guide
Choose rich embeds when a prospect asks: "Can I put my latest video on my link-in-bio?" — yes, on any plan.
Choose Smart Sites when they ask: "Can I capture leads from my WordPress site and see what pages they viewed?" — yes, on Pro+.
Many Pro customers use both: hero video embed on the bio, form + pixel on their main website.
Best practices
Use consistent language in proposals — "media embeds on bio" vs "Smart Sites conversion layer on web properties". Never promise Smart Sites media mirroring.
Tip: If a Free user wants external forms, the honest path is Pro — or a form block on the bio alone, which still requires Pro for lead CRM.
Training your team
Support and sales should use the phrase "media embed on bio" vs "Smart Site embed on client web" in tickets to avoid wrong troubleshooting guides (Rich Embeds vs Smart Sites install).
Upgrade conversation
When a Starter customer asks for WordPress form embed, that is a Pro conversation — rich embeds will not help. Point to Pricing and Plans and Pricing.
Real-world scenarios
| Customer ask | Correct answer | Wrong answer |
|---|---|---|
| "Embed my podcast on my bio" | Rich embed block, Free | Smart Sites |
| "Capture leads on my WordPress contact page" | Smart Sites form embed, Pro+ | Rich embed |
| "Track pricing page views before form submit" | Smart Sites pixel, Pro+ | Bio analytics alone |
| "Show TikTok on Instagram bio link" | Rich embed on bio, Free | Custom code |
Common mistakes
Quoting Starter for Smart Sites — Starter has bio tracking pixels (GA4/Meta on the Linkssi page) but not external Smart Sites pixel and embeds. Telling agencies rich embeds replace a website contact form — they complement, not replace.