10 Easy Ways to Shorten a URL & Create Free Custom Links

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Create short & sleek links with these 10 free tools
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Have you ever tried sharing a website link in a text, tweet, or message and wound up with a long, ugly URL? Fortunately, many services make it easy to shorten any website address into an abbreviated URL that you can place into emails, messages, websites, and social media posts. This wikiHow article teaches you the best free options for shortening a URL.

Shortening a URL

  • URL shortening services like Bitly, TinyCC, and TinyURL can instantly shorten any URL to something more memorable and easier to share.
  • Most URL shorteners allow you to create an account so you can update your destination links and track clicks.
  • Several URL shorteners have paid options that allow you to link your domain name to create custom-branded links.
Section 1 of 11:

Using Bitly

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  1. Create an account at https://bitly.com . Bitly is one of the most popular URL-shortening services. It has an option to create a free account. With a free account, you can create up to 10 shortened URLs per month with basic link history and reporting statistics, including the number of people who click the link. [1]
    • To sign up for a free account, scroll down and click Get Started for Free or click Sign up Free at the top right corner of the page. Then, click Get started below "Free" or the paid option that suits your needs. Follow the prompts to create an account.
      • When you visit the home page, you’ll also see a text field where you can paste your long URL, then click Get your link for free . This will take you to a page where you can log in or sign up.
    • The first time you sign in to Bitly, it will ask you to take a short survey asking you what you use Bitly for, what industry you work in, and what your role is. Use the drop-down menus to answer the questions.
    • If you want to create more shortened URLs, link redirects, branded links, and more, you can upgrade to a paid plan.
    • Bitly URLs never expire, even with the free plan. [2]
  2. You’ll see the Create New option at the top left side of the page. In the menu that pops up, click Link .
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  3. Open the URL in another tab and copy it. Paste it in the Bitly page in the field labeled "Destination."
    • If you're tracking visits to a website using UTM codes , you can toggle on "Add UTM to track web traffic in analytics tools" to add your UTMs.
  4. Some options are only available to those who have a paid account. You can use the following options to customize the URL:
    • Title: You can enter a custom title for your link in the "Title" field.
    • Track your URL (Paid only): If you have a paid account and want to track your URL, you can click the toggle switch to add a UTM to the URL to track its performance.
    • Branded Domain (Paid only): If you have a paid account, use the drop-down menu under Domain to select a branded URL for your shortened URL. By default, the URL will be bit.ly .
    • Custom Back Half: If you want, enter a custom back half to the URL in the box labeled "Custom Black Half." Free accounts can only create 5 custom back-halfs per month.
    • QR Code: Click the toggle switch next to "QR Code" to create a QR code to accompany your shortened URL. Free accounts can create 2 QR codes per month.
    • Add to Bitly Page: If you created your own page on Bitly, you can add your shortened URL to your page by clicking the toggle switch next to this option.
  5. It's the blue button in the lower-right corner. This creates a URL and adds it to your list of shortened links.
    • Click Copy link in the popup to copy it to your clipboard. You can then paste the link anywhere. You can also select a social media platform or messaging service to share your link directly.
    • You can log back into Bitly at any time to see how many people have clicked the link or copy it again.
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Section 2 of 11:

Using TinyURL

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  1. Go to https://tinyurl.com in a web browser. TinyURL is a simple free URL creator that doesn't require a sign-up for basic URL shortening. Your links will never expire, even with the free plan.
    • Visitors to the shortened URL link will need to click past an ad before they arrive at the destination site, as the free tier is ad-supported.
    • If you don't mind signing up for a free account, you can keep track of the links you've created and use the tiny.one or rotf.lol domains instead of just tinyurl.com .
    • If you want to track clicks to your links, edit URLs later, and create more personalized links, you can sign up for a premium plan.
  2. Open the destination link you want to shorten in another tab in your web browser. Then copy the link and paste it into the field that says "Enter long link here."
  3. If you'd like, you can type an alias into the "alias" field (5 characters or more) to customize your link. For example, you can add your name to the "alias" field to create the short link, which would look like tinyurl.com/(yourname) .
    • If you have a paid account, you can click the option to select a different domain.
  4. This instantly creates a short link that will take users to the longer URL. You can just click Copy to copy the link to your clipboard and paste it anywhere you'd like.
    • To copy the link, click Copy . Then, you can paste it into a message instantly.
    • To create a QR code for the URL, click QR .
    • Click My URLs to view a list of the URLs you have created.
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Section 3 of 11:

Using Rebrandly

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  1. Sign up for a free account at https://rebrandly.com . If you want to create custom short links using your domain name, you'll love Rebrandly. The free version of the tool lets you create up to 10 branded links per month using your own domain name. You'll get basic statistics, too—up to 5000 clicks tracked per month, and more with a paid upgrade. [3]
    • To sign up for a free account, click Get started for free . Then click Sign Up below the free option or Buy Now below whichever paid option suits your needs. Follow the prompts to create an account.
    • When you create a new account, it will ask you to select if you are using the service for business or personal use and to enter your name and occupation.
    • Once you create an account, follow the on-screen instructions to purchase and link your domain name. If you do not wish to purchase a domain, click Skip for now .
    • Rebrandly links will not expire as long as the destination address remains available and your Rebrandly account is active. [4]
    • Rebrandly also has a simple Google Chrome extension that makes it quick and easy to create short links on the fly.
  2. It’s the first tile on the right at the top of the dashboard.
  3. Type or paste the URL into the field. Once your URL is added, additional options will appear.
    • If you don't see this option, click the Links tab at the top of the page
  4. You can customize the links in the following ways:
    • Branded Domain: If you have a paid account or if you purchased a domain, you can register a branded domain. If you have a branded domain, you can use the drop-down menu below this option to select your domain or add a new one. Otherwise, you will need to use the "rebrand.ly" domain.
    • Signature Slug: This is the second part of the shortened URL. You can enter your own custom signature slug (such as your name or a relevant keyword) here or leave it as the default.
    • Password protect this link: If you want to add a password to the link, click the toggle next to Password protect this link . Then, enter the password you want to use for the link twice to confirm it. This will require users to enter the password to view the link.
    • Copy to Clipboard: Click Copy to Clipboard whenever you want to copy the shortened URL.
  5. It's the black button at the bottom of the window. This creates a shortcut to the URL you've entered and adds it to your list of links.
    • You can copy the link and paste it into any message you want to share.
    • Return to the Links page at any time to see how many people have clicked your link.
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Section 4 of 11:

Using TinyCC

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  1. Go to https://tiny.cc to create a free shortened URL. You can create a quick shortened link with TinyCC without creating an account. However, without an account, your links will eventually expire. To avoid your short links expiring, you can register for a free account. [5]
    • A free TinyCC account lets you create and edit up to 500 shortened URLs, but you can upgrade to a premium plan for more URLs and features like expanded statistics and custom domain branding.
    • To sign up for an account, click Sign Up in the upper-right corner. Enter a username, password, and your email address. Then enter the text in the image and click Start Shortening Links . Then check your email for the confirmation emails.
  2. If you opt for the no-account version of TinyCC, you can paste the long URL into the field at the top of the screen and choose an optional alias that will go after the "tiny.cc" part of the link. Click Shorten to create your link, then copy the link to your clipboard so you can share it all around the web.
    • If you want to track how many people click the link, check the box next to "Log stats for this link" before clicking Shorten .
  3. If you want to be able to manage your links later:
    • Create an account and sign in to access your dashboard.
    • Click Shorten URLs at the top of the page to create a new link.
    • Type or paste a long URL into the field.
    • Enter a custom keyword to add to the end of the link (optional).
    • Click Shorten it!
    • Click Copy to copy the link to your clipboard and share it with the world.
    • Return to your dashboard at any time to see how many people clicked the link or change the destination URL.
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Section 5 of 11:

Using X/Twitter

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  1. If you want to create a short link for a tweet and not for use on other services, type or paste the long URL into your message. When you send your message, X will instantly shorten the original URL to 23 characters and create a shortened URL that begins with https://t.co . [6]
    • If the destination URL is flagged for spam, malware, or phishing, X may prevent potential visitors from navigating to the destination link. [7]
Section 6 of 11:

Cuttly

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  1. Create a free account at https://www.cutt.ly . Whether you have your own domain name or want to create quick links at Cutt.ly, a free account gets you an unlimited number of shortened URL links with up to 30 days of analytics per link. [8] If you want, you can pay to upgrade for additional features.
    • Cuttly links never expire. [9]
    • To create an account, click Sign Up at the top of the page. Then, enter your email address and password twice. Then click Create an account . Once you create an account and verify your email, you can log in and go to your dashboard. From there, you can link one of your existing domain names, or start creating short links using the cutt.ly domain.
  2. You'll see the field at the bottom of your dashboard with the text Paste long url and shorten it .
  3. This instantly creates a shortened version of the link that will take users directly to the longer URL.
    • Click the Copy icon (the first icon) below the link to save it to your clipboard and share it anywhere.
    • As people click the link, the number next to "clicks" on the link's entry in your dashboard will increase. You can return to this page at any time to check your stats.
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Section 7 of 11:

Using Is.gd

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  1. Is.gd is a simple free URL shortening service that allows you to access helpful statistics for all your shortened URLs. The domain is nice and short so that you can create some of the shortest possible links using this service. Like most other URL shorteners, the links you create with Is.gd will never expire.
  2. You can right-click (or Ctrl-click , on a Mac), or long-press the field at the top of the page and select Paste .
  3. Click the Further options/custom URL link below the field to access more options, including the option to create a custom alias (the part of the link after the /), choose a random alias that's all-lowercase or even pronounceable, and whether you want to log stats for the link.
  4. Your new short URL will appear in the already highlighted field, making it super easy to copy and paste into a new message, post, or tweet.
    • To check your statistics, just add a single hyphen to the end of your shortened URL.
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Section 8 of 11:

Using Short URL

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  1. Go to https://www.shorturl.at/ in any web browser. This super simple URL-shortening service doesn't require you to create an account. You'll be able to create short URLs instantly and track the number of clicks your link receives in real time.
    • The free service allows you to simply shorten links. You can also create an account and pay to unlock more features, like custom short links.
    • If you create an account, you'll unlock a 5-day free trial. With a paid account, you can access a dashboard that monitors your shortened URLS and their performance. You can also do many other things with your shortened URLs, like get QR codes for them.
  2. This instantly creates a shortened version of the URL that you can share in any app or message.
    • Click Copy URL to copy the shortened URL and paste it into a message.
  3. Bookmark this page if you want to refer back to your statistics.
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Section 9 of 11:

Sniply.io

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  1. Sniply is a URL-shortening service geared toward marketing and sales conversions. Not only can you shorten long links, but you can also add a call-to-action overlay to each link to drive conversions. To get started, go to https://sniply.io/ in your browser, click Get Started for Free , and then click Sign up under the plan you want to use.
    • Sniply.io no longer offers a free account option. The basic plan starts at $9 per month and includes 250 shortened links.
    • If you want to use a custom domain, you'll need a Sniply Pro plan, which allows for unlimited clicks and links per month.
  2. Once you create an account, you'll be taken right to your dashboard. You can also access your dashboard by visiting snip.ly/dashboard .
    • Click Brand Profiles in the left column. You'll see your default brand in the right panel. This info will appear in the call to action on each of your shortened links.
    • Click Upload a Photo to upload the image you want to appear on each link, such as your business logo or headshot.
  3. To shorten a link, paste it into the "Enter a URL" field at the top of the page.
  4. This button takes you to the Brand selection page.
  5. With a pro account, you can create multiple brands. For now, just select the brand profile you customized in the left panel.
  6. The options vary depending on your account type. For free accounts, you can display a button or text link.
  7. Once you choose a display option, you can customize it in the Call to Action panel. For example, if you choose to display a button, you can enter a custom message and custom button text.
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Section 10 of 11:

T2M

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  1. T2M is a premium URL link management service for marketing agencies, universities, and other businesses. They have various plans (including branded link shortening) at all price points, with a 15-day free trial available. [10] You can sign up at https://t2mio.com .
    • With the lowest cost plan, you can create up to 1,000 shortened URLs per month with no ads or delays. You can get up to 5,000 new clicks per month, with the option to upgrade for even more.
    • If you upgrade, you'll gain access to helpful analytics, branded custom domains, campaign management, bulk URL importing, and more.
Section 11 of 11:

Why should I shorten a URL?

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  1. If you want to make it easier for people to remember how to get to a specific page on a website, a shortened URL is the way to go. The fewer characters in the URL, the easier it will be for people to remember.
  2. This is especially true for web addresses with a long mix of letters, numbers, and/or symbols. A URL shortener can transform a long, unwieldy URL into something short and sweet.
  3. If you add a long URL to a text message or share it using any service with a character limit, you might use up all your available characters with the link alone. Shortening a URL gives you more room in your text message or post for your own content.
  4. If you're interested in tracking how often people visit a particular URL, you can opt for a URL shortener that details who clicks the link and how often it is shared.
  5. Depending on the URL shortening service you use, you may be able to connect your own domain name to create truly memorable shortcut links. And if you don't have a domain name, you can often customize the string of text that comes after the domain name so it's more personal.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What are the benefits of shortening a URL?
    Anar Kazimov
    Digital Marketing Expert
    Anar Kazimov is a Digital Marketing Expert based in Vancouver, Canada. He is the Owner and Marketing Director of Pixel Prodigies, a company created to help business owners achieve more sales by revamping their digital portfolio. He has helped the NIH, IBM, Canadian film studios, Rolex dealerships, and many other firms in their marketing campaigns. He previously had a career in the IT industry and worked at Freelancer.com. He received a BS in Computer Science from the University of Victoria.
    Anar Kazimov
    Digital Marketing Expert
    Expert Answer
    URL shortening brings about various benefits, mostly in marketing and branding. First, it helps in making links much more attractive and easy to share, mainly in relation to particular social media where character limitations could arise, such as X. They are also much easier to remember and could be customized to include your brand for better recognition and marketing purposes, and certain promotions. Also, the majority of URL shorteners come with analytics that allow you to get an idea of how your links are performing: through hits, geographic information, etc. This gives you an idea of the fine-tuning of marketing strategies and measures of campaign success.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    It says it's unable to shorten my URL. Any ideas?
    Aasim
    Top Answerer
    Are you using goo.gl? URL shortening on that service was retired a few months ago. You now have to use bit.ly or tinyurl.com.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • When using one of these services, remember that you can create an account, track clicks, update your destination links, and even require a password for users who want to access the link. These features allow you to monitor your URL's activity and engagement.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Another great URL shortener is T.LY. It's a great alternative that allows you to quickly turn a long url into a short link.
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      Warnings

      • Some people may hesitate to click a link using a URL-shortening service because hackers often use them to cover links to phishing and malware websites. You should always include a message along with the URL explaining where the link goes to. Do not use shortened URLs for websites that require a login.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about digital marketing, check out our in-depth interview with Anar Kazimov .

      References

      1. ↑ https://bitly.com/pages/pricing
      2. ↑ https://support.bitly.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002288272--Will-the-links-I-create-on-Bitly-ever-expire-
      3. ↑ https://rebrandly.com/pricing
      4. ↑ https://support.rebrandly.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003082568-How-Long-Does-a-Rebrandly-Link-Last-
      5. ↑ https://tiny.cc
      6. ↑ https://help.x.com/en/using-x/url-shortener
      7. ↑ https://help.x.com/en/safety-and-security/phishing-spam-and-malware-links
      8. ↑ https://cutt.ly/pro-pricing
      9. ↑ https://cutt.ly/resources/support/
      1. ↑ https://t2mio.com/pricing

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