Why Custom Short URLs?
Generic random slugs are forgettable and suspicious. Custom aliases transform your links into branded assets.
Brand Recognition
A custom short URL like /summer-sale reinforces your brand every time someone sees or shares the link. It communicates intent and builds trust before the click even happens.
Memorable Links
People remember words, not random characters. A link like /webinar-2026 sticks in memory and can even be spoken aloud — perfect for presentations, podcasts, and print media.
Professional Sharing
Whether you are sending links in emails, Slack messages, or social posts, a branded short URL signals professionalism. It tells your audience you care about every detail.
Analytics Ready
Every custom short link created on LinkShrink comes with a free anonymous analytics endpoint. Track click counts without compromising visitor privacy — no cookies, no fingerprinting.
How It Works
Three steps to your own branded short link. No account needed.
1. Enter URL & Alias
Paste the long URL you want to shorten and type your desired custom alias. Use letters, numbers, hyphens, or underscores — 3 to 64 characters.
2. Get Custom Short Link
Click Shorten and your branded URL is ready instantly. The API returns your custom short link, a delete token, and an analytics endpoint.
3. Share & Track
Copy your link and share it anywhere — social media, email, print, QR codes. Monitor anonymous click counts via the free stats API.
Custom Alias API
Create branded short URLs programmatically. Free, no API key required.
curl -X POST https://linkshrink.dev/api/v1/shorten \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"url":"https://example.com/your/long/page","customAlias":"my-brand"}' # Response: # { # "status": "success", # "data": { # "shortUrl": "https://linkshrink.dev/my-brand", # "deleteToken": "a1b2c3d4...", # "analytics": "https://linkshrink.dev/api/v1/stats/my-brand" # } # }
When to Use a Custom Short URL
Custom aliases are not just vanity — they serve a practical purpose in every channel.
Marketing Campaigns
Create aliases that match your campaign name: /black-friday-2026, /launch-day, /newsletter-march. Instantly recognizable in analytics dashboards and easy to dictate in podcasts or video.
Social Media Bios
Instagram and TikTok bios have limited space. A custom short URL like /linktree or /portfolio looks cleaner than a random slug and tells visitors exactly where they are headed.
Print & Offline Media
Business cards, flyers, and conference slides need links that people can type from memory. linkshrink.dev/my-talk is far easier to remember than a 12-character random string.
Developer Documentation & APIs
Point to specific docs, changelogs, or status pages with descriptive aliases. Use the API to create short links in CI/CD pipelines, deployment scripts, or Slack bots programmatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a custom URL shortener?
A custom URL shortener lets you create shortened links with a personalized alias instead of a random string. For example, instead of linkshrink.dev/x7k9m, you can create linkshrink.dev/my-launch. This makes links more memorable, trustworthy, and professional.
Is it really free?
Yes, completely free. You can create unlimited custom short URLs with your own alias at no cost. No signup, no credit card, no hidden fees. The API is open and requires no authentication.
What characters can I use in a custom alias?
Custom aliases can contain letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), hyphens (-), and underscores (_). They must be between 3 and 64 characters long. Aliases are case-sensitive, so MyLink and mylink are different.
What happens if my alias is already taken?
If the alias you want is already in use, the API will return a 409 Conflict error. Simply choose a different alias. Since short links expire after 30–90 days by default, previously taken aliases may become available again over time.
Can I use custom short URLs for marketing campaigns?
Absolutely. Custom short URLs are ideal for marketing campaigns. Use descriptive aliases like /summer-sale or /webinar-2026 so your audience knows what to expect. Combine with UTM parameters for full campaign tracking.
Does LinkShrink track my visitors?
No. LinkShrink is privacy-first. We do not log IP addresses, browser fingerprints, device types, or geolocation data. We only store an anonymous click counter. Your visitors are never tracked or profiled. Read our privacy policy for details.
Can I edit or update a custom short URL after creating it?
Short URLs cannot be edited once created. If you need to change the destination, delete the existing link using the delete token returned at creation and create a new one with the same custom alias. Since deletion frees the alias immediately, the process takes seconds via the API.
How long do custom short URLs last?
By default, custom short URLs last 90 days. You can set a custom TTL (time-to-live) in seconds when creating the link — from a few minutes up to 365 days. After expiration, the alias becomes available for reuse. To create a link with maximum duration, set the ttl parameter to 31536000 (one year).