Random slugs vs custom short links
Custom short links are more memorable, look professional, and tell people exactly where they're going before they click.
Campaign link
Random slug
shortfy.co/xK9z2B
Custom short link
shortfy.co/spring-sale
Booking page
Random slug
shortfy.co/3mP7qR
Custom short link
shortfy.co/book-a-call
Restaurant menu
Random slug
shortfy.co/8nL2vW
Custom short link
shortfy.co/our-menu
App store link
Random slug
shortfy.co/5kX4jY
Custom short link
shortfy.co/download-app
SaaS onboarding
Random slug
shortfy.co/9wQ1bN
Custom short link
shortfy.co/free-trial
Why custom short links outperform random slugs
More memorable
shortfy.co/spring-sale is instantly recognizable. People can type it from memory after hearing it in a video, on a podcast, or seeing it on a business card.
Builds trust
Custom short links signal intent. Visitors know where they're going before they click — which increases click-through rates on social media and in emails.
Works in spoken content
Tell podcast listeners or YouTube viewers to visit shortfy.co/free-trial and they can type it. A random slug is impossible to communicate verbally.
Full click analytics
Every custom short link tracks total clicks, a 30-day trend chart, and your top referrers. Pro plan adds geo and device breakdowns per link.
Set expiry dates
Custom short links can expire automatically. A sale link deactivates when the offer ends. An event link stops working after the event date. No manual cleanup.
QR code included
Every short link — custom or not — gets a downloadable QR code. Put your branded short link on packaging, signage, or print materials with a matching QR code.
Update the destination anytime
Change where your short link points without changing the URL itself. Update shortfy.co/our-menu when your menu changes. Everyone who shared the link gets the new destination.
Create via API
Set the alias field in a POST request to the Shortfy API and create custom short links programmatically. Full REST API with OpenAPI docs and Bearer token auth.
Campaign attribution
Create per-campaign custom links (shortfy.co/sale-email vs shortfy.co/sale-ig) and see exactly which channel drives the most conversions.
When to use custom short links
Marketing campaigns
Give each campaign its own branded link — shortfy.co/summer-sale, shortfy.co/product-launch. Track clicks per channel, compare campaigns, and know which efforts actually drive traffic.
Social media bios
Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and X all give you one or a handful of link slots. A branded custom link looks intentional. A random slug looks like it was auto-generated.
Business cards and print
shortfy.co/yourname or shortfy.co/book-me is easy to type, remember, and say out loud. Random slugs on business cards are effectively invisible — nobody types them.
Video and podcast CTAs
"Visit shortfy.co/free-trial at the end of this video." Audience members watching on a phone can type that URL. They can't type shortfy.co/8nL2vW.
Internal team links
Create shortfy.co/hr-handbook, shortfy.co/onboarding-checklist, or shortfy.co/weekly-standup. Links your team uses every day should be as clean and memorable as links you share publicly.
Event and product launches
shortfy.co/conference-2025 or shortfy.co/new-collection links the event to the URL. Set an expiry date and the link deactivates automatically when the event ends.
Custom short links — FAQ
- What is a custom short link?
- A custom short link is a shortened URL where you choose the slug — for example shortfy.co/spring-sale — instead of getting a random string. Custom links are more memorable, look more professional, and build trust with your audience.
- How do I create a custom short link?
- Sign up for Shortfy, click 'New link', paste your destination URL, and type your desired alias in the custom alias field. Shortfy checks availability in real time. Custom aliases require the Pro plan.
- Can I track clicks on my custom short links?
- Yes. Every Shortfy link tracks total clicks and a 30-day chart automatically. The Pro plan adds country, device type, and browser breakdowns — all per link.
- Can I set a custom short link to expire?
- Yes. On the Pro plan you can set an expiration date. After that date, the link deactivates automatically — useful for sales, limited drops, or event registrations.
- Can I create custom short links via the API?
- Yes. Shortfy provides a full REST API. Include the alias field in your POST /api/links request to set a custom alias programmatically. API access is included on the free plan.
- What if my desired alias is already taken?
- Shortfy checks alias availability in real time as you type. If your first choice is taken, try a variant — add your brand name, a year, or a campaign suffix.
Create your first custom short link today
Start with a free Shortfy account and upgrade to Pro when you're ready for custom aliases, geo analytics, and link expiration.