What "making a link smaller" actually means

A shortened link is a condensed version of a long web address that points to the same destination. Instead of sharing something like https://www.example.com/products/category/subcategory/item?id=12345&source=email&campaign=spring2024, you can create a short version like https://short.link/abc123 that does the same job.

The shortened version is easier to type, takes up less space in emails and text messages, and looks cleaner on social media. When someone clicks the short link, they are automatically sent to the full original address without any extra steps.

You do not need special software or technical knowledge to create one. Free tools do this work in seconds, and the link works when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Shortened links are created by free online tools that redirect from a short address to your original long one.
  • Bitly, TinyURL, and your.link are the most common services, and they all work the same basic way: paste your link, get a short version back.
  • You can customize the short version on some services so it reads like a real word instead of random characters, making it easier to remember and share verbally.
  • Shortened links work in emails, text messages, social media posts, and printed documents without breaking or losing their destination.
  • Some services show you how many times your link was clicked, which is useful if you are tracking whether people actually visited what you shared.

Using Bitly to shorten a link

Bitly is the most widely used link shortener. Go to bitly.com in your browser. You do not need to create an account to shorten one link, though signing up takes 30 seconds and lets you keep track of all your shortened links in one place.

Paste your full web address into the box that says "Paste a long URL here" and click the Shorten button. Bitly generates a short link when ready — something like bit.ly/3x4k9m. Click the copy icon next to it to copy the shortened link to your clipboard, then paste it wherever you need it.

If you want the short link to say something meaningful instead of random letters, click Edit next to the shortened link. Type a custom word or phrase (like bit.ly/spring-sale) and click Save. The custom version works when ready, as long as no one else has already claimed that exact phrase.

Using TinyURL when you need a different service

TinyURL works almost identically to Bitly. Visit tinyurl.com, paste your long link into the box labeled "Enter a long URL to make tiny", and click Make TinyURL! Your shortened link appears when ready.

TinyURL's shortened links look like tinyurl.com/abc123def. You can customize them the same way: look for the option to enter a custom alias, type your preferred short name, and create the link. TinyURL is useful if you prefer a different look or if the custom name you want is already taken on Bitly.

One advantage of TinyURL is that you can preview where a shortened link goes before clicking it. Hover over any TinyURL link and a small window shows you the full destination address. This is helpful when you receive a shortened link from someone else and want to verify it is safe before clicking.

Creating a branded short link with your own domain

If you own a website or domain name, you can create short links that use your own domain instead of a generic shortener's name. This looks more professional in business emails and marketing materials — yourcompany.co/sale instead of bit.ly/3x4k9m.

Services like Rebrandly and Short.io let you connect your domain and create custom short links through their platforms. You paste your long link, choose your custom short version, and the service handles the redirect automatically. These services usually charge a small monthly fee for the ability to use your own domain, though they offer free plans with limited features.

If you have a WordPress website, plugins like Pretty Links do the same thing without needing a separate service. The short links live on your own site and you control them completely.

Where shortened links work best

Use shortened links in emails when the original address is longer than one or two lines. A long URL can break across lines in email clients and become unclickable. A short link stays on one line and is always clickable.

On social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn, shortened links save character space and look cleaner. They also let you track how many people clicked the link you posted, which helps you understand what content resonates with your audience.

In text messages and chat apps, short links are essential because long URLs are hard to type and straightforward to break. In printed documents like flyers or business cards, a short link is much easier for someone to type into their browser than a 100-character URL.

Tracking clicks and understanding the data

Most link shorteners show you basic statistics: how many times your link was clicked, when those clicks happened, and sometimes what devices or locations the clicks came from. Log into your account on Bitly or TinyURL and look for a Dashboard or Analytics section to see this information.

This data is useful if you are testing whether an email campaign worked, comparing which social media post got more traffic, or straightforward checking whether anyone actually visited a link you shared. The statistics update in real time, so you can watch clicks come in as they happen.

Keep in mind that these services can see the data but they do not share it with the destination website. If you want to track link clicks in your own website analytics, you may need to use your website's built-in tools instead of relying on the shortener's numbers.

What happens if a shortener service shuts down

If a link shortener goes out of business or closes, all the short links it created stop working. This is rare with major services like Bitly and TinyURL, which have been around for over a decade, but it is a real risk with smaller or newer services.

For links you plan to keep using for years — like in a book, on a permanent website, or in official documents — consider using your own domain or a service with a long track record. For temporary links in emails or social media posts that you will not need in six months, the risk is much lower.

If you create a shortened link and later want to change where it points, most services let you edit the destination. Log into your account, find the link in your dashboard, and click Edit or Change URL to point it somewhere else. The short link itself stays the same, but it now leads to a different place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell where a shortened link goes before clicking it?

Yes. On TinyURL, hovering over the link shows the destination. On Bitly, you can add a preview page that shows the destination before the click happens. However, most shortened links do not have this feature, so people generally cannot see where they are going until they click. This is why shortened links work best when you have already told someone what they are clicking toward.

Do shortened links hurt my search engine rankings?

No. Search engines treat shortened links as redirects and credit the original destination with the traffic. Your website's rankings are not affected by whether people reach you through a short link or a long one. The shortened link is just a passageway.

Is it safe to click on shortened links from strangers?

Shortened links hide the destination, which makes them useful for phishing scams. Never click a shortened link from an unknown sender, especially if the message asks you to verify a password or payment information. If you are unsure, use TinyURL's preview feature or ask the sender what the link goes to before clicking.

Can I use a shortened link in a resume or cover letter?

Yes, but only if the destination is something the employer expects to see — like a portfolio website or LinkedIn profile. Use the full domain name if possible so the employer can see exactly where the link goes. Shortened links in a resume can look unprofessional or raise security concerns.

What if my custom short link name is already taken?

Try a variation: add a number, use a hyphen, or pick a different word entirely. Most services show you when ready whether a custom name is available, so you can experiment until you find one that works. If your preferred name is taken on Bitly, it might still be available on TinyURL or another service.