A multi-link communication method is implemented by an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD). The multi-link communication method includes generating a first frame, and sending the first frame on a first link. The first frame includes a supported rates and a basic service set (BSS) membership selectors element, the element includes first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that a non-AP MLD is disallowed to initiate multi-link setup with the AP MLD on the first link.