13 Things About Link Shortener You May Not Have Known

Most people think a link shortener is just a neat way to tidy up a long URL. That’s true, but there’s much more going on behind the scenes. After building LinkShortener.io and watching how businesses use it, I’ve learned a few things that might surprise you. Here are 13 things you may not have known about link shorteners — and why they matter more than ever.

1. They Boost Click-Through Rates

A shorter, branded link looks cleaner and more trustworthy. That alone can lift clicks noticeably.

Customers will see custom domain short links a lot more trustworthy knowing the brand is in the url that they are clicking. Whether it’s from a social media post or a sms campaign, seeing the same brand in the url matching post or campaign, reassures you that you are in safe hands.

2. They Work Across Every Channel

Email, SMS, social, and even print campaigns — short links fit everywhere.

With LinkShortener.io, you can create a short link for all types of campaigns and marketing channels. Whether its’ a sms or whatsapp campaign to a printed material with a short link to your website. Short links can be used in many different ways.

3. You Can Change the Destination After Publishing

Some platforms let you update where the link points even after it’s gone live. A lifesaver if you spot an error.

4. They Come With Analytics Built In

It’s not just about shortening. You can see clicks, locations, devices, and more.

All links built within LinkShortener.io have built-in reporting, from totals clicks, graph of total clicks over days or weeks to mobile or desktop clicks. We also have the function to report on where geography where the click has come from. Using our custom click world map feature, you can report and hoover over where the clicks are coming in.

Random letters look suspicious. A branded short link reassures people before they even click.

6. QR Codes and Short Links Are Joined at the Hip

Every QR code is basically a short link under the hood.

QR codes are a fantastic way to allow your customers or prospects to visit your website or download a menu without typing a the full url.

You may have a long or complex branding url that you wish your visitors to visit, so a QR code makes it a lot easier to click a visit! Why not add a google map to a QR code, allowing users to find you easily without typing the full postal address.

7. They Can Protect Against Spam

Modern shorteners often include filters that block unsafe redirects.

Think SMS marketing or character-limited posts. Every character matters.

9. They’re Easier to Remember Than Long URLs

A clean short link can be spoken, printed, or even remembered without copy-paste.

Have you ever been asked to visit a website with a long webpage domain or URL string, or you maybe ask to enter a long, complex url slug after the .com/

Well no more! With linkshortener.io, you can create a seemless experience for your customers and visitors, with a much simpler short url link.

No more, “why don’t you visit us at www.longbrandnamewithextratext.com/doestheurllinkhavetobethislink

10. They Support Custom Calls-to-Action

Instead of random strings, you can set endings like /sale or /signup.

11. They Help Track Offline Campaigns

Put them on posters, flyers, or packaging, and you’ll know who engaged.

12. They’re Growing Beyond “Utility Tools”

What used to be a side tool is now part of marketing strategy.

13. They’re Not All Equal

Some free tools cut corners. Premium shorteners offer stronger analytics, branded domains, and security features.

Final Thoughts

Link shorteners might seem simple on the surface, but they’ve become a powerful part of modern marketing. They boost trust, make campaigns measurable, and connect offline with online.

That’s why we built LinkShortener.io — to give businesses a tool that’s simple to use but powerful enough to grow with them.

Written by: Sarah Marsh-Collins

8. They Save Space Where It Counts

5. They Help Build Brand Trust