Free URL shorteners can be a handy benefit for your blog. For example, are you looking for a free way to shorten your long URLs when sharing blog links? A URL shortener can help make your links shorter and easier to share. But with so many different options available, how do you know which one is right for you?
In this post, I’ll discuss the benefits of using a free URL shortener and compare some of the most popular options. I’ll also give tips on how to get the most out of your shortener and track clicks on shortened links. So whether you’re a small business owner looking to promote your products or an individual wanting to make your online content more shareable, read on for some helpful advice!
What is a URL Shortener and How Does it Work?
A URL shortener is a service that takes a long URL and turns it into a shorter, more manageable one.There are a number of free URL shorteners available, including Google’s own URL Shortener.
To use a URL shortener, simply enter the long URL into the provided field and click “shorten.” The URL shortener will then generate a new, shorter URL that can be used in its place.
In addition to making URLs more manageable, URL shorteners can also be used to track clicks and traffic. Often, businesses will use a URL shortener to create links for marketing campaigns or to track the performance of specific ads.
By shortened the link, they can see how many people clicked on it and where they came from. This information can be used to improve future campaigns. Whether you’re looking to make links shorter and easier to share, or track your clicks, a URL shortener can be a helpful tool for bloggers.
Tech note: URL means “Uniform Resource Locator”. It is a unique address that points to a specific web page or file on the internet. For example https://www.ecosia.org/ is a URL.
Why Use URL Shorteners for Your Blog?
I often get asked questions like “…why use a URL shortener?” or “What’s the point of using a free URL shortener like Google’s?”
And you know what?
I believe that the answer is twofold.
First and foremost, using a URL shortener can free up valuable space in your tweet or text message. Instead of having to include a long, unwieldy URL, you can simply use a shortened version that takes up far less characters.
Secondly, by using a URL shortener, you can help to track how many people are clicking on your links. This information can be valuable in understanding which topics are resonating with your audience and which ones are falling flat.
On a side note… Shorter URLs often look nicer and can be less intimidating for potential clickers.
So go ahead and give it a try! A free URL shortener could just be the thing that you didn’t know you needed.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Free URL Shorteners.
There are a number of free URL shorteners available on the internet, and they can be a great tool for maximizing productivity. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of free URL shorteners:
- Use a service that offers custom branding. This way, you can create short URLs that include your brand name or logo, making it easy for people to remember where they came from.
- Use a service that provides analytics. This way, you can track how many people are clicking on your links and see which ones are performing the best.
- Use a service that offers integrations with other productivity tools. For example, some free URL shorteners offer integrations with popular task management apps like Trello and Asana, so you can automatically add your links to your to-do lists.
By using these three tips, you can make sure you’re getting the most out of free URL shorteners and maximizing your productivity in the process.
Popular Free URL Shorteners and Their Features.
Free URL shorteners can occasionally be a pain to set up and they often don’t have all the features that we need. However, below I added some free URL shorteners that are worth checking out.
Here are (in my opinion) the best free URL shorteners and their features:
Google URL Shortener
Was a popular free URL shorteners. But it’s no longer available (they moved to Firebase). I have this on the list simply because people still ask me about it.
bit.ly
This free URL shortener is simple and easy to use. It also has some great features, such as analytics and custom domains. The free account provides the analytics and customization for individuals. If you want QR codes, branded links, more data, etc., then you’d need to move to a paid version.
TinyURL
This free URL shortener is fast and easy to use. It also allows you to create custom URLs. There’s no analytics, etc. it’s pretty vanilla. I use it to create a quick one-off shortened URL when I need to shorten and send a huge URL fast.
Rebrandly
This free URL shortener offers a wide range of features, including custom domains, link editing, and branded links. I like this free URL shortener because it also helps keep social media link shares short, so I have more room for typing a longer message to followers.
Last I checked the small print, free accounts can track up to 5000 links per month, and have a total of 500 branded links
TinyCC
They include tracking and link management. If you register an account with your email address, then you can create customized slugs, and track the analytics of shortlinks.
ShortST
This is one of the more interesting free URL shorteners – Namely they pay you. Here’s what this means… When you create shortlinks to any resources (you want to link to) they will include ads (on an intermediate page), and pay you a share of the earnings.
These are just a few of the better free url shorteners that you can use. Each one has its own unique features and benefits.
Tips for Using a URL Shortener Free for Your Blog.
Here are some of the most common tips for how to get the most out of free URL shorteners:
- When sharing links on social media, always use a URL shortener. This will make your links more visually appealing and easier to click on.
- If you’re sharing a link that you think will be popular, create a custom URL with your branding. This way, people will remember your brand when they see the shortened link.
- Use a URL shortener that offers analytics so you can track how many people are clicking on your links. This information can be valuable in understanding which marketing channels are most effective.
- Always test your shortened URLs before sharing them to make sure they work correctly. There’s nothing worse than sharing a broken link!
- When in doubt, err on the side of shorter URLs. Longer URLs are more likely to be truncated, making them less clickable.
- Use a free URL shortener when you want to share a link but don’t want to share your personal information.
- Keep in mind that free URL shorteners may have ads, so be sure to read the terms and conditions before signing up.
- When in doubt, use a free URL shortener! They’re a great way to shorten long URLs without spending any money.
URL shorteners can be an incredibly useful tool for marketing and branding. By following these tips, you can make sure that your links stand out and that you’re getting the most out of your shortened URLs.
How to Track Clicks on Shortened Links.
When you use a free URL shortener, you’re usually given a unique link that looks something like this: http://example.com/ABCDE. This link is then shortened to something like http://bit.ly/ABCDE. If you want to track clicks on your shortened links, there are a few different ways to do it.
Most free URL shorteners will give you basic click statistics, including how many people have clicked on your link and when they clicked it. However, if you want more detailed information, you’ll need to use a special tracking service. There are a few different companies that offer this service, and they all work in basically the same way.
When you sign up for a tracking service, you’ll be given a unique code to add to your shortened links. For example, if your code is XYZ, your link would look like this: http://bit.ly/XYZabcde. When someone clicks on this link, they’ll be redirected to the original URL as usual, but the tracking service will also record their IP address, the time they clicked the link, and other information.
You can then login to the tracking service’s website and see detailed information about who has clicked on your links and when they did it. This information can be valuable if you’re trying to track the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns or simply want to better see an evaluate the interests of your audience.
Benefits of Using Your Blog’s Custom Domain with a URL Shortener.
There are plenty of free URL shorteners out there, so why bother using a custom domain with a URL shortener? Here are a few benefits that might make it worthwhile:
- Custom domains can be more memorable than generic ones. If you’re sharing links on social media or in other forums, a custom domain can make it easier for people to remember where to find your content.
- Custom domains can add a level of professionalism to your brand. If you’re using a URL shortener for business purposes, a custom domain can help you look more credible and trustworthy.
- Custom domains can give you more control over your links. With some free URL shorteners, you have no guarantee that your links will stay active indefinitely. However, if you’re using a custom domain, you can be sure that your links will stay live as long as your domain is active.
So if you’re looking to add some extra polish and professionalism to your brand or want more control over your links, using a custom domain with a URL shortener could be a good option for you.
How to Your Blog Can Use URL Shorteners to Make Money.
There are a number of free URL shorteners available online, and they can be a great way to make money. By using these services, you can shorten links and then post them on social media or in forums.
When someone clicks on the link, they will be redirected to an advertisement (much like the short.st example above). Each time the advertisement is clicked, you will earn money.
Additionally, you can often also refer people to the service and earn a commission on their earnings.
As you can see, there are a number of ways that you can make money by using free URL shorteners. So why not give it a try? You may be surprised at how much money you can earn.
Things Bloggers Should Avoid When Using a URL Shorteners.
URL shorteners are great to use, but there are some things you should avoid doing if you want to use URL shorteners free.
One thing you should consider not doing is sharing links directly with people you don’t know (sending a free shortened URL direct to a person). This is because free URL shorteners can be used to track clicks and see what websites they visiting. This can impact privacy.
Another thing you should avoid doing is clicking on links from free URL shorteners that you don’t trust.
Why?
Because some free URL shorteners insert malicious code into the links they shortened, which can infect your computer with viruses or spyware.
Finally, you should avoid using free URL shorteners that don’t have a privacy policy. This is because some free URL shorteners sell the data they collect on their users, including the URLs they shorten and the people who click on them.
By avoiding these three things, you can use free URL shorteners without worry.
Now that we’ve talked about some things to avoid when using URL Shorteners, let’s talk about some things you should do when using URL Shorteners.
First, you should always check the privacy policy of the URL Shortener service before using it. This way, you’ll know what data they collect and how it’s used.
Second, you should only use URL Shorteners from trusted sources. This way, you can be sure that the links they shorten are safe to click on.
Finally, you should consider using a paid URL Shortener service instead of a free one. This is because paid services typically have better privacy policies and don’t sell your data. By also following these above tips, you can use URL Shorteners with more confidence.
FAQ About Free URL Shorteners
How do I shorten a URL link?
Use a URL shortener. A URL shortener is a web service that takes long URLs and squeezes them into fewer characters, sometimes as few as six, so they’re easier to share on social media or email. There are dozens of different online services to choose from, but the most popular ones are bit.ly and Rebrandly.
Are URL shorteners safe?
Some people say that URL shorteners are safe, while others claim that they are not. The main concern with URL shorteners is that they can be used to disguise malicious links as harmless ones. In some cases “safe” may refer to privacy. Therefore, it is always important to exercise caution when using a URL shortener, and to make sure that you are trusting the source of the shortened link. Always read their privacy policy, and do not use URL shorteners you don’t trust.
How do I bulk shorten a URL?
There are a few ways to do this. You can use a URL shortener’s website to manually shorten each URL, or you can use an online tool that will automatically shorten multiple URLs at once. One such tool is bit.ly’s bulk URL shortener. Simply add the URLs you want shortened to the text box on the page, and hit “shorten.” The tool will automatically create shortened versions of all of the URLs and save them in a new tab
Conclusion – Is a Free URL Shortener worth it?
In this post I outlined a number of reasons why it might be worth using a URL shortener. On the flip-side there are also a few things to keep in mind when using a URL shortener, namely… Be sure to check the privacy policy of the service before signing up. Second, only use trusted sources for shortened links. Finally, consider using a paid service instead of a free one. If you follow the tips in this post, using a URL shortener can be a great way to add more professionalism to your blog or brand, as well as make some extra money.
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