10 Ways to Shorten Links Quickly and Effortlessly
Ever tried to post a lengthy URL on social media? Did its appearance seem less tidy or visually unappealing? Overlong links are obviously not ideal for clean writing and can be rather distracting aesthetically.
The good news is, plenty of websites offer free link-shortening services nowadays, ensuring that your shared URLs are not only more concise but also more memorable.
Some of these platforms even provide comprehensive packages for a nominal charge. These premium services offer an array of features that can be a valuable aid to your business operations. Here's a guide on how to shorten links using various websites.
1. Bitly
Bitly stands out as a premier tool for URL shortening today. It's a tool that online entrepreneurs often have on their radar. It allows them to shorten the links they wish to share on social media or ads, which improves their usability.
Usually, these shortened links direct individuals to a website page or WhatsApp, where they can gather more information about the product on sale and even proceed to make a purchase.
Bitly also enables easy monitoring of your link's traffic. For instance, you can track how often your link has been clicked and the geographic origins of the clicks.
Shortening a URL with Bitly is a straightforward process. Simply visit the Bitly site, and paste the URL you wish to shorten into the provided box. In no time, Bitly will deliver a shortened version of your link, ready for you to copy and share.
However, be mindful that if you generate Bitly links without logging in, you won't be able to modify or monitor them. To have access to these features, you must first register with a social media account or an email address. Let's take a look at an example of a modified Bitly link:
- Standard Bitly link: https://bit.ly/2Prvr8U
- Customized Bitly link: https://bit.ly/Carisinyal
Once you're registered, you can customize the latter part of your shortened link (following bit.ly/) with a term of your choice. However, be aware, if your chosen term is already in use, Bitly will automatically reject it, and you'll need to search for an alternate term.
Shortening URLs with Bitly couldn't be simpler, right? If you're a business person, consider using Bitly to tidy up your links.
2. Bl.ink
A link-shortening app called Bl.ink is similar to Bitly, offering traffic-tracking capabilities for your links. You can also sign up for free to Bl.ink.
However, there are some limitations for free users, where they can only create up to 1000 links and monitor the stats for up to 1000 clicks per link. Additionally, free accounts are restricted to a single domain for generating branded links.
To access more features, Bl.ink offers various paid plans. You can explore these options on the official Bl.ink website.
3. TinyURL
TinyURL has been around since 2002 and remains a reliable choice for many when it comes to URL shortening. Although its popularity may have faded over time, it continues to serve its purpose efficiently.
Utilizing TinyURL is a breeze. Simply copy your desired link and paste it on the site. Then, click on the "Make TinyURL" button. Similar to Bitly, you can modify the last segment of the shortened link.
While TinyURL does provide a free service, the features are rather limited. Their paid offering, on the other hand, boasts numerous benefits, including the ability to handle hundreds of active links every month. Give TinyURL a try today.
4. Ow.ly
Another popular URL shortening tool is Ow.ly. This app is part of HootSuite, a comprehensive tool for managing social media content. It integrates with various social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, making it a one-stop solution for your social media management needs.
The process of shortening URLs with Ow.ly doesn't differ significantly from that of TinyURL. Simply get your link ready, copy, and paste it, and let Ow.ly do the job of shortening it for you. Interestingly, you can also link Bit.ly with Ow.ly via HootSuite.
It's worth noting that Ow.ly solely offers paid services. However, they do provide a 30-day trial period for you to evaluate its utility. To use Ow.ly, simply visit the HootSuite website.
5. Is.gd
Is.gd is arguably one of the simplest link-shortening tools available. It's stripped down to the bare essentials, focusing solely on link shortening without any additional frills. If your goal is purely to compress links, Is.gd could be your optimal choice.
Using Is.gd is absolutely hassle-free. There's no need for registration or CAPTCHA code entry, simply input your lengthy URL and it gets shortened instantaneously!
As per the website's records, Is.gd has already shortened more than 1.5 billion links. You can explore its services on the official Is.gd website.
6. Linkvertise
Are you familiar with the site AdFly? It's now undergone a rebranding and has transitioned into Linkvertise. However, the services provided by Linkvertise mirror those of its former iteration, AdFly.
Apart from link shortening, you also have the opportunity to monetize your activity. In a manner similar to AdFly, Linkvertise pays you for every click on the links you generate. The more clicks your links attract, the higher your income.
Furthermore, by registering with Linkvertise, you gain access to statistics related to your created links. This feature can be found on the site's dashboard. Earnings are transferred via Paysafecard or Amazon Coupon.
The process to shorten links on Linkvertise mirrors that of its competitors — it's just a simple copy-paste job. If you're interested in the idea of shortening links and earning money with Linkvertise, visit its official website to get started.
7. Rb.gy
Rb.gy is another reliable option for your link-shortening needs. The process is straightforward: just input the link you wish to shorten into the provided field and then hit the "Shorten URL" button to receive your compressed link.
Moreover, Rb.gy gives you the capability to convert your link into a barcode. You can also directly copy the shortened link. In addition, Rb.gy provides a link statistics monitoring feature that you can access even without logging in or registering an account.
Rb.gy also offers a host of enticing premium features. One of these is the ability to monitor more than 5000 created short links. Interested in exploring Rb.gy's offerings? Please visit Rb.gy website.
8. Cuttly
Cuttly is yet another efficient platform for link shortening. Its use is similar to that of other shortening sites: simply find the link you want to shorten, paste it onto the Cuttly website, and press the "Shorten" button. Your shortened link will be generated immediately.
Registering an account with Cuttly brings along several perks. You can manage your shortened links and access analytics for the links you've modified using Cuttly. Additional features include creating 'links in bio' and generating QR codes.
It should be noted, however, that not all of these enhanced features are available with the free service. For instance, the 'link in bio' generator service is limited to just 5 links, and access to analytics is also restricted.
Cuttly's premium services are ideal for business use. But if you don't require it for commercial purposes, the free service provided by Cuttly should suffice.
9. Tiny.cc
Tiny.cc is a notable player in the link-shortening arena. You can use this tool right away without the need for registration. It also enables you to customize the links you create.
In addition to its free service, Tiny.cc offers a subscription package, delivering more features compared to the free version.
One of the notable features is the ability to edit links in real time. You can also boost your click-through rate by up to 34%. Tiny.cc often rolls out attractive promotions and discounts for its paid services. To explore further, visit the official Tiny.cc website.
10. Shorturl.at
Yet another reliable tool you can use is Shorturl.at. Its operation is simple: just copy and paste the link you'd like to shorten, then hit the "ShortenURL" button. Your link will be instantaneously condensed, much like the previous examples. Easy, isn't it?
The website comes with a minimalist design, facilitating ease-of-use for those seeking to utilize its services. Given that both Shorturl.at and Rb.gy were founded by Rebrandly, they are effectively related websites.
Importantly, this site doesn't only offer free services. It also has a premium service with several excellent features, including link analytics, link customization, and QR Code creation. If this piques your interest, head over to the Shorturl.at website.
Those are several ways and platforms you can use to shorten links. You can select the one that best aligns with your needs.
If you want to use these tools for business purposes, Cuttly, Bitly, or Tiny.cc might serve you best. However, if you aim to use them for personal reasons, almost all of these sites would be appropriate for your needs. We encourage you to share your experiences using these link-shortening techniques in the comments section.