Are you a marketer who wants to appeal to customers with short, to-the-point links? Are you a customer service representative who doesn’t want to share long support URL addresses on live chat? Or perhaps you’re an internet user who wants to know how to make long links short. Regardless of who you are, URL shorteners can condense lengthy web addresses into manageable short URL links. But how do short URLs work?
How Do URL Shorteners Work?
A short link generator automatically shortens the input link. This compressed URL acts as a redirect, allowing a web page to be accessible under more than one URL address. So, both the original URL and the short URL link will direct the user to the same page.
These compressed URLs can be permanent or expire after a set period. As such, it is important to research which link shortener provides the customization options that you need.
Why Shrink Links?
Short URL links are a great tool for enterprises, marketers, and even individual users. They are simple to use and manage and, quite frankly, more aesthetically pleasing than long links. Internet users and potential customers are more likely to click on a short link than a long, jumbled one. Additionally, tiny URLs take up less of a post’s word count on sites like Twitter and LinkedIn. So, you can use fewer characters to reach wider audiences and garner more clicks and views.
Consider the following example from Droplr. The web address for Droplr’s web page discussing Slack + Droplr integration is https://help.droplr.com/key-features/slack-droplr-integration. This link cannot easily fit into a messaging box and is difficult to type out.
However, using Bitly, this URL can be condensed to the following link, https://bit.ly/2FFWPss, which is much easier to view and type.
Of course, one issue with compression is that it is no longer obvious what information is on the page. This is why many online services that offer URL shorteners also include custom links that let you design your own branded links with a paid subscription. These subscriptions typically include detailed analytics and link management services. This is great for marketers who want to assess which advertisements appeal most to which users and then customize their links accordingly.
How Else Can I Use Short URL Links?
Various tools and apps use short URL links to spread content and information. For example, Droplr generates a short link for every screenshot, GIF, and screen recording that a user takes. This link can then be shared on various platforms like Slack, Intercom, and Discord to display the image in-app or link the viewer to its location in the Droplr cloud. Droplr uses short links so that users can share content quickly and easily.
Another example of a tool that uses tiny URLs is Discord. Whenever you want to invite people to your server, Discord’s URL shortener generates a short URL you can send. Those who click on the link can choose to join the server. Influencers and others who sign up for Discord Partners can choose to create a custom Discord link instead of one randomly generated by Discord.
How to Compress a Link
It is easy to condense a link with the right short link generator. Generally, most link shorteners follow the same steps as TinyURL above. All you have to do is input your long link into the short link generator and click the shortening button (in the above video, this button is marked by the phrase “Make Tiny URL!”).
If you create an account on a URL shortener, you can check your short URLs after you make them. You can track clicks and other information for each link. You can also edit their slug or redirect them to a new site.
The best URL shorteners include customization tools that let you choose a custom branded domain, domain extension, or link ending. Branded domains let you use your own domain name in the place of the link shortener’s domain. For example, the above link ‘https://bit.ly/2FFWPss‘ could instead be generated as ‘droplr.link/2FFWPss’ if the custom domain ‘droplr.link’ had been purchased and synced with my Bitly account.
Most free URL shorteners do not include custom links, though Rebrandly offers five custom domains and 500 branded links with its free plan. Still, as branded links get about a 34% higher click-through rate, they are an important tool for marketers and customer service teams regardless of cost.
Are There Any Downsides to Short URLs?
Unfortunately, in recent years, tiny URLs have become a tool for scammers and spammers. As such, there may be a security issue with short URLs that you find. Because short URL links don’t include the name of the website they direct to, they can be used to send users to unexpected sites or even URL addresses that have been blacklisted. This practice can be used for something as innocent as rickrolling to something as damaging as infecting a computer with malware. The best link shorteners constantly scan and disable spam-related short links from redirecting.
Another potential downside is that if the URL shortener shuts down, the link will no longer redirect to the correct location. This phenomenon, known as linkrot, leads to broken and dead links that either redirect to the wrong site or stop working altogether. This is why it is important to use a link shortener that is well-known, safe, and sustainable.
The Advantages of Short URL Links
In all, the advantages of tiny URLs outweigh the potential problems. Link shorteners create URLs that are short, sweet, and to the point. They are important tools for businesses and users who want to increase website traffic and attract customers. Custom links in particular are vital for businesses or influencers who want to increase brand name recognition and trust.
Though short URL links can be used for nefarious purposes, most link shorteners include security measures that guard against misuse. For example, Tiny URL includes a preview feature so you can ensure the contents of a link before clicking on it, while Bitly’s plans add domain safeguards and 2FA that keep your account safe from hackers. As long as you use a reputable URL shortener, you will be able to create short URL links that are safe and attractive.