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As a marketer, you know the importance of sharing links that are easy to remember and share. But sometimes, those long URLs can be a buzzkill for your marketing efforts.
That’s where URL shorteners come in handy – they make sharing links easier and more manageable.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the 9 best URL shorteners available that will help supercharge your marketing efforts.
From Google URL Shortener to Bitly, Rebrandly to TinyURL, there’s something for everyone on our list! So let’s dive in and find the perfect fit for your needs!
What is a URL Shortener?
A URL shortener is a tool that takes long URLs and creates shorter, more manageable links. These shortened links typically redirect to the original link when clicked.
URL shorteners have been around for quite some time and were initially used to save space on platforms like Twitter, where character count limitations made it difficult to share lengthy URLs.
Since then, their usage has expanded beyond social media platforms and into various areas of business marketing.
By using a URL shortener, you can create custom branded links that are easier for your audience to remember or type in manually.
Additionally, many URL shorteners offer valuable tracking features that allow you to see how many clicks your link received and where they came from.
The Benefits of Using a URL Shortener
URL shorteners are powerful tools that can offer numerous benefits to businesses and social media users.
One of the main advantages is the ability to shorten long URLs into a more compact format, making them easier to remember and share.
By using a URL shortener, you can also track clicks on your links, giving you valuable insights into how people are interacting with your content.
This data can help you make informed decisions about your marketing strategies and improve your overall performance.
Another benefit of using a URL shortener is increased brand recognition.
Many URL shorteners allow you to customize the link with your own branded domain name or keyword, providing an opportunity for increased exposure and awareness of your business or personal brand.
URL shortening services often provide features such as link expiration dates and password protection, which can enhance security measures when sharing sensitive information online.
Using a URL shortener offers many benefits for both businesses and individuals looking to streamline their online presence while maximizing their reach and engagement.
List Of Best URL Shorteners
Google URL Shortener
Google URL Shortener is one of the most popular and widely-used URL shorteners on the market. It’s a free tool provided by Google, making it a trusted option for marketers and businesses alike.
The main advantage of using Google URL Shortener is its simplicity. All you need to do is paste your long link into the bar, click “Shorten,” and voila! You have a shortened link ready to share with your audience.
Another benefit of Google URL Shortener is that it provides basic tracking data about your links, such as how many clicks they receive over time. This can give you an idea of which links are performing well and which ones may need improvement or tweaking.
Additionally, because it’s powered by Google, there’s no risk of losing any data or information when using this tool – something that can be crucial for businesses looking to maintain their reputation online.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use and reliable URL shortening service backed by tech giant like Google itself, then look no further than the Google URL Shortener!
Bitly
Bitly is one of the most popular and widely used URL shorteners available in the market today. This tool has been around for a long time and has earned a good reputation among marketers and businesses alike.
One of the best things about Bitly is its ease of use. The platform offers a simple, user-friendly interface that allows you to shorten your links with just a few clicks.
Bitly provides various customization options like custom domains, link tags, etc., which makes it easier to track your campaigns’ performance.
Another great feature of Bitly is its analytics dashboard. It provides detailed insights into how many people clicked on your shortened links and where they are coming from.
You can also track engagement rates through metrics such as click-through rates (CTR) and bounce rates.
Moreover, Bitly offers integration with various third-party tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, Zapier and more.
This integration allows users to manage their social media campaigns effectively by automating tasks such as scheduling posts or tracking clicks on shared content.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use URL shortener with excellent features like custom domains, analytics dashboards & integrations with third-party tools- then Bitly could be an ideal choice for all your marketing needs!
You can also install the Bitly Chrome extension.
Rebrandly
Rebrandly is an excellent URL shortener that allows you to create branded links. It is a great tool for those who want to maintain brand consistency and improve their click-through rates.
With Rebrandly, users can add their brand name in the shortened link, which makes it easy for customers to recognize your content.
One of the best things about Rebrandly is its user-friendly interface. The platform offers simple navigation tools that allow users to easily manage their links and track clicks.
It provides an analytics dashboard where you can monitor how many people clicked on your links, where they came from, and when they clicked.
Another feature that sets Rebrandly apart is its integration with other tools such as Google Analytics or Bit.ly.
This integration enables you to get more insights into your traffic sources and optimize your marketing campaigns effectively.
Rebrandly offers a free plan with limited features but plenty of value for small businesses or individuals just starting out in digital marketing.
However, if you need more advanced features like custom domain names or unlimited click-tracking options then consider upgrading to one of its paid versions.
If branding consistency matters most when sharing URLs across social media platforms then look no further than Rebrandly – A useful URL shortener tool for any online marketer!
TinyURL
TinyURL is one of the oldest and most popular URL shorteners available. It has been around since 2002 and has gained a lot of popularity due to its simplicity, reliability, and speed.
Using TinyURL is as easy as copying your long URL into their website and clicking on the ‘Make TinyURL’ button.
Within seconds, you will receive a shortened link that you can use in your marketing campaigns or share on social media platforms.
One of the unique features of TinyURL is that it allows you to customize your shortened link by adding a custom alias. This means that instead of having a random string of letters and numbers as your shortened link, you can choose an alias that reflects your brand or campaign.
Another great feature offered by TinyURL is their browser bookmarklet.
With this tool installed in your browser’s bookmarks bar, you can quickly generate shortened URLs without leaving the page you’re currently browsing.
However, one thing to keep in mind while using any URL shortener service including TinyURL is that if they ever close down or go out of business all those links will stop working causing problems for anyone clicking on them!
ClickMeter
ClickMeter is another popular URL shortening tool, which is designed to help marketers track and manage their links effectively. It provides a robust analytics dashboard that helps you monitor clicks, conversions, geolocation data, referrers and more.
One of the key benefits of ClickMeter is its ability to create custom domains for your shortened URLs. This means that you can use your own branded domain name instead of relying on generic ones like bit.ly.
Another unique feature of this tool is the ability to set up automatic redirects based on certain rules.
For example, you can redirect traffic from specific locations or devices to different landing pages depending on their behavior.
ClickMeter also has a link rotator functionality that allows you to distribute traffic evenly across multiple URLs or split-test different landing pages for optimal results.
ClickMeter is an excellent choice for businesses looking for advanced tracking and optimization features in their URL shortening tool.
Ow.ly
Ow.ly is a popular URL shortener that’s owned by Hootsuite, a social media management platform.
If you’re already using Hootsuite to manage your social media accounts, then Ow.ly could be the perfect addition to your marketing toolkit.
One of the best things about Ow.ly is its integration with Hootsuite. You can use it directly within the platform and get access to additional analytics on top of what other URL shorteners offer.
This makes it an excellent option for marketers who want more in-depth insights into how their links are performing.
Another advantage of Ow.ly is that it allows you to customize the domain name used for your shortened URLs. This means you can create branded links that match your website or company name, which helps build brand recognition and trust among users.
Ow.ly offers some useful features such as link tracking and click-through reporting so you can see how many people are clicking on your links and where they’re coming from.
You can even track clicks by specific campaigns or time periods which gives better targeting information for future campaigns.
If you’re looking for a reliable URL shortener that integrates seamlessly with one of the most popular social media management tools around, then Ow.ly is definitely worth considering.
Buff.ly
Buff.ly is a URL shortener tool that allows you to shorten and customize your links with ease.
One of its main features is the ability to schedule posts, making it a great choice for social media marketers who want to save time.
With Buff.ly, you can track clicks on your links and analyze their performance using detailed analytics reports.
This will help you understand which of your campaigns are working well and make data-driven decisions about future marketing strategies.
Another useful feature of Buff.ly is its integration with other tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, and more.
You can use this integration to better track user behavior across different channels and create more targeted campaigns based on their interests.
One of the best things about Buff.ly is its user-friendly interface. Even if you’re new to URL shortening or social media marketing in general, you’ll find it easy to navigate and use effectively.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for link shortening and social media management, Buff.ly could be just what you need!
AdF.ly
AdF.ly is a popular URL shortener that has been around since 2009. It offers users the ability to earn money by shortening URLs and sharing them online.
The platform works by displaying ads before redirecting users to their desired destination.
One of the advantages of using AdF.ly is its ease of use. Creating shortened links only takes a few seconds, and it’s effortless to track clicks and earnings in real time through the dashboard.
Another benefit of AdF.ly is its competitive payout rates compared to other URL shorteners. You can earn up to $14 per thousand clicks, which can be an excellent source of passive income for those who frequently share links online.
However, it’s essential to note that some people find the ads displayed on AdF.ly intrusive or annoying.
Users should also exercise caution when sharing these types of shortened links as they may be flagged as spam or potentially harmful by some platforms.
AdF.ly provides an easy way for individuals and businesses alike to monetize their online content while keeping track of click metrics with minimal effort required.
Is.gd
Is.gd is a simple and easy-to-use URL shortener that allows you to shorten any long link with just one click. It has been around since 2009, making it one of the oldest players in the game.
One of the main benefits of Is.gd is its minimalistic design and user-friendly interface. The website doesn’t bombard you with ads or unnecessary features that can confuse users.
This makes it perfect for those who are new to URL shortening or don’t want to waste time on complicated platforms.
Another great feature of Is.gd is its analytics tool, which provides insights into how many people clicked your shortened link, where they came from, and when they visited your page.
This data can be valuable for marketers who want to track their campaign’s performance and make data-driven decisions.
Is.gd offers a bookmarklet that lets you shorten links directly from your browser without having to visit their website every time. This saves time and streamlines the process even further.
If you’re looking for a straightforward and reliable URL shortener without all the bells and whistles, then Is.gd might be worth considering.
How to Use a URL Shortener
Using a URL shortener is quite simple and straightforward. Here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Choose your URL shortening service: First, you need to choose the URL shortening service that suits your needs best. There are plenty of options available online, so make sure you choose one that offers all the features you require.
2. Copy and paste your long link: Once you have chosen a URL shortener, copy and paste your long link into the designated field on their website or app.
3. Customize if desired: Some URL shorteners allow users to customize their links for branding purposes. If this feature is available with your chosen tool, take advantage of it by customizing your shortened link.
4. Share: After creating a shortened link, share it wherever you like – whether via email campaigns, social media posts or even offline marketing materials such as flyers or business cards!
5. Track performance: Use analytics tools provided by some services to track how many people clicked on your shortened link over time – helping optimize future campaigns!
Conclusion
To sum it up, using URL shorteners is a great way to supercharge your marketing efforts. Whether you’re sharing links on social media or tracking clicks for analytics purposes, these tools can save you time and provide valuable insights.
Frequently Asked Questions On URL Shortener
Are there any downsides to using a URL shortener?
One potential downside is that if the service goes down or shuts down in the future, all of your shortened URLs will no longer work.
Can I customize my shortened URLs?
Yes! Most providers allow you to create custom aliases so that your links reflect your brand or message.
Do I have to pay for a URL shortener?
While many services offer paid plans with additional features, most basic plans are free.
What are URL shorteners used for?
URL shorteners are used to transform long, unwieldy website addresses into shorter, more manageable links.
These shorter URLs can be shared easily and take up less space in messages and social media posts.
They can track the clicks on your shortened link so you know how many people have clicked through to your content. This information is useful for measuring the success of marketing campaigns or tracking engagement with blog posts.
Do URL shorteners work?
Yes, URL shorteners do work. In fact, they are commonly used in digital marketing and social media campaigns to make long URLs more manageable and visually pleasing.
URL shorteners take a lengthy link and create a shortened version that redirects users to the original destination when clicked on. This is achieved by using HTTP redirects or JavaScript code.
Is Bitly a safe site?
Yes, Bitly is a safe site. As one of the most popular URL-shortening services on the internet, Bitly has established itself as a reliable and trustworthy platform for users to create shortened links.
Bitly takes several measures to ensure user safety and security. For example, all links created through Bitly are scanned for malware and spam before being generated.
This helps prevent users from accidentally clicking on harmful links that could compromise their devices or personal information.
Bitly offers an optional two-factor authentication feature for added account security. With this feature enabled, users must enter a unique code in addition to their password when logging in from an unrecognized device.
Is it safe to use TinyURL?
Yes, it is generally safe to use TinyURL. However, as with any online service, there are some risks to be aware of.
TinyURL is a URL-shortening service that allows users to create shorter versions of long URLs for sharing on social media or other platforms where space is limited.
When someone clicks on a TinyURL link, they are redirected through the TinyURL servers before reaching the intended website.
The main risk associated with using TinyURL is that the original destination of the link may be obscured.
This means that you could end up clicking on a link that takes you somewhere unexpected or malicious without realizing it.
To protect yourself against this type of threat, make sure you choose a strong password for your TinyURL account and enable two-factor authentication if possible. You should also monitor your account regularly for any suspicious activity and report any issues immediately.
Is Google URL shortener safe?
Yes, Google URL Shortener is safe to use. It’s a reliable service that has been used by millions of people worldwide.
The platform uses HTTPS encryption to ensure the safety and security of your data. Google regularly checks and removes spammy or malicious links from its databases.
Do short URLs expire?
Yes, short URLs can expire. Shortening services like bit.ly and tinyurl.com have a finite lifespan for the shortened links they provide.
The expiration of a link depends on multiple factors such as the terms and conditions of the service provider, demand for server space, or inactive accounts.
Most URL shorteners have an expiration policy where links are only valid for a certain period before they become inactive.
This could range from several years to just a few weeks. Once expired, the link will no longer redirect users to their intended destination.
Instead, it will either display an error message or lead to a blank page.
Also, If you’re using custom domains with your shortened URLs (for example: https://yourdomain.com/abc), then these may also expire if you don’t renew your domain registration in time.
What is the risk of URL shortener?
Using URL shorteners carries inherent risks, primarily related to security and privacy.
These services may obscure the true destination of a link, making it difficult for users to assess whether clicking on a shortened URL is safe or not.
One risk associated with using URL shorteners is that they can be used by cybercriminals to spread malware or phishing attacks.
By disguising malicious links behind seemingly legitimate URLs, attackers can trick unsuspecting victims into downloading malware or giving away sensitive information.