The 10 Best URL Shorteners to Shrink and Track Your Links

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced digital world, the length of URLs can sometimes hinder their effectiveness in sharing and promoting content. URL shorteners offer a simple solution to this problem, allowing users to condense lengthy URLs into more manageable and shareable links.

Here’s a curated list of some of the best URL shorteners that can help you transform long, ugly links into nice, memorable, and trackable short URLs.

Best URL Shortners

Quick disclaimer: The recommendations you find in this article are mostly objective but merely represent suggestions for you to choose from. They are not necessarily listed in any particular order.

1. Bitly
2. TinyURL
3. Ow.ly
4. Rebrandly
5. is.gd
6. Sniply
7. T2M
8. Shorte.st
9. Polr
10. BL.INK

Bitly

Bitly is one of the most popular URL shorteners, offering both free and paid plans. It provides detailed analytics to track link performance and offers custom short domains for branding purposes.

Why choose:

• Freemium model with advanced analytics
• Custom short domains available
• Integration with various platforms such as social media and email marketing tools

TinyURL

TinyURL is a straightforward and user-friendly URL shortener that doesn’t require registration. It allows users to customize short links and offers options for convenient link shortening at scale.

Why choose:

• Bulk short URLs
• Freemium model with detailed link analytics
• Customizable short links and branded domains

Ow.ly

Ow.ly is a URL shortener provided by Hootsuite, a popular social media management platform. It offers link tracking and analytics features, making it ideal for businesses and marketers. Please note that you might need a Hootsuite account to access this URL shortner.

Why choose:

• Link tracking and analytics capabilities
• Schedule and share links directly from the platform
• Integrated with Hootsuite for social media management

Rebrandly

Rebrandly specializes in branded links, allowing users to create custom short links using their own domain. It offers advanced features such as link retargeting and UTM tracking for comprehensive link management.

Why choose:

• Branded link shortening with custom domains
• Link retargeting for remarketing purposes
• UTM tracking for detailed link analytics

is.gd

is.gd is a simple and straightforward URL shortener with no frills. It offers basic link shortening functionality with a focus on speed and efficiency.

Why choose:

• Fast and straightforward link shortening
• No registration required
• Option to customize short links

Sniply

Sniply is a URL shortener that lets you add a custom call-to-action (CTA) to every link you shorten.

Why choose:

• Add your Call-To-Action to any page
• Monitor engagements and track results
• Conversion focused link shortener

T2M

T2M is a versatile URL shortener with features like link tracking, QR code generation, and geotargeting. It offers both free and paid plans to suit different user needs.

Why choose:

• Link tracking and analytics
• QR code generation for mobile marketing
• Geotargeting for personalized link experiences

Shorte.st

Shorte.st is a URL shortener that monetizes short links through advertising. Users can earn money by sharing shortened links, making it a popular choice for bloggers and content creators.

Why choose:

• Monetization through link shortening
• Various payout options available
• Detailed statistics and analytics dashboard

Polr

Polr is an open-source URL shortener that allows users to host their own link shortening service. It provides full control over link data and customization options for branding purposes.

Why choose:

• Open-source software for self-hosted link shortening
• Customizable interface and branding options
• API for integration with other systems

BL.INK

BL.INK is a URL shortener designed for businesses, offering features such as branded links, link tracking, and analytics. It aims to provide a complete link management solution for marketing campaigns.

Why choose:

• Branded link shortening with custom domains
• Detailed link analytics and reporting
• Integration with marketing tools and platforms

5 Tips for Choosing the Right URL shortener

Here are five tips to help you choose the best URL shorteners for your usecase:

1. Customization: Opt for a service that allows customizing shortened URLs. This feature enables branding and makes links more trustworthy.

2. Analytics: Select a URL shortener with robust analytics capabilities. Insights into click-through rates, geographic location, and referral sources empower informed decision-making.

3. Reliability: Prioritize reliability and uptime. Ensure the service you choose offers stable and consistent performance. Reputable providers will generally have proven track records for reliability.

4. Security: Choose a URL shortener that prioritizes security. Look for features like link expiration, password protection, and HTTPS support to safeguard links against potential threats.

5. Integration: Consider compatibility with your existing tools and platforms. Opt for a URL shortener that seamlessly integrates with your preferred analytics, marketing, and social media management tools.

By following these tips and taking a thoughtful and systematic approach to your decision-making process, you can choose the right URL shortener that aligns with your business needs and goals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, URL shorteners offer a convenient and effective way to manage and share links online. Whether you’re a business looking to track marketing campaigns or an individual seeking to streamline your online presence, there’s a URL shortener on this list to suit your needs.

Feel free to explore the options mentioned above to find the right URL shortener for you and start optimizing your links today.