Useful Articles
The Short.io Changelog | Updates | Improvements | What's New
All the updates, including new features, improvements, and bug fixes, will be presented in our changelog.
How to make a feature request
Have an awesome idea for Short.io? Share it with us to have it sent to engineers.
How to extend the free trial to 30 Days
Short.io provides a 7-day free trial for each paid plan. Nevertheless, we can extend the free trial to 30 days by request.
Short.io payment methods, free trial and reselling our services
Payment service providers and methods
What is a custom branded domain?
The central part of the customized short link is a branded domain. It is a domain, which is associated only with your brand. A custom domain usually contains the name of your company or the type of business.
What is a URL slug?
A URL slug is the end part of a short URL, followed after the domain name. A link slug helps to improve website SEO. It is a brief description of the page, which lets users and search robots understand the content.
What are redirects
Short.io provides an unlimited number of redirects for every price plan.
How Short.io tracks clicks
All URL shorteners are very different in their way of clicks tracking: what clicks they count, and what clicks they remove.
General information on SSL/TLS certificates
Understanding SSL Certificates at Short.io
Why is my SSL certificate not working? | How CAA record affects SSL certificate
Short.io provides SSL certificates for short links for free. After adding a domain to Short.io, you need to wait up to one hour until HTTPS for short URLs is activated.
Why does SSL certificate not work for some short links / some customers / clients?
Some users can experience the security error when trying to follow a short URL. The reason is that Short.io uses the TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 encryption standard, and old browser versions don't support them.
Why domain activation might take so long
If you’re going to buy a domain and use it for shortening, you’ll have to accept the fact that domain activation can be a long process.
What is DNS?
Understanding what DNS is plays a crucial role when making some advanced actions other than just simple surfing. The Web knowledge will be helpful when configuring a domain for using it on Short.cm or a personal website.
What is WHOIS data of a domain?
Do you know that your domain’s WHOIS data is public awareness? This is international law and very standard practices. Also, there are services where your WHOIS information is protected, but Short.io does not currently suggest those services.
How to find the best branded domain name for my short links
Have you noticed that short links spread up everywhere these days? The majority of world companies use custom vanity links.
Where to find the domain prices on Short.io
You can buy a domain not only via domain registrars but also via Short.io.
Can I use the same domain for Short.io and existing website?
Domains, intended for link shortening, must be used only for shortening purposes and cannot be used for existing websites.
Why my purchased domain stopped working
In some cases, for example when you purchase a domain from Short.io but you do not verify your contact email within 14 days, the domain will be deactivated, until email is verified.
Short.io and Dub.co comparison
The right URL shortening service can make or break your marketing strategy. With a proven track record, reliable service, fixed pricing, and many other benefits, Short.io remains the preferred choice for quality and dependability.
Short.io — an alternative to Rebrandly
Rebrandly is a URL shortener startup. There can be several reasons, why you would want to switch to Short.io:
Cheaper alternatives to Bitly Enterprise
Bitly is the most popular shortening service on the market. You can shorten, customize and manage URLs with Bitly.
Broad comparison of the 6 URL shorteners
There is nothing worse than a long link, which someone may consider as spam and won't click it. The long URLs may spoil a promotion company due to the length. Today, on the Short.cm blog, we take a closer look at five shortening services that will turn your links into attractive, readable and tiny URLs.
"Too many redirects" error
"To many redirects" error signifies that a browser or a social network (usually Facebook) does not understand where to go due to a redirect loop.
How to track referrers from WhatsApp, Telegram, and Viber
For short links in WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, or other messaging apps, no referrer can be tracked on Short.io or Google Analytics. When clicking a short URL in messengers, an external browser is displayed, and no further information is passed.
How to track mail openings (email open rate)
To track the open rate, Short.io uses a transparent pixel image. This image is inserted in the bottom of the emails so as not to spoil the layout. The image is invisible, so neither you nor recipients see it.
How to create Instagram deep link
Specify the following URL scheme in Mobile Targeting section:
Use cases for mobile targeting
The methods described below show how mobile targeting can redirect visitors to in- and pre-built mobile applications like SMS app, Wallet (iOS), Instagram (if it's installed), iTunes (iOS), AppStore (iOS), PlayMarket (Android), YouTube (if it's installed), and so on.
How to use mobile targeting to escape redirecting links to in-app browser
When users tap links in a bio or in a post/story, apps like Instagram do not launch the device’s default browser. Instead, the content is displayed within the app's integrated browser. And some users prefer to bypass this behavior. The instructions below offer a solution for this situation.
How to set up conditional cloaking
In some situations you might want to use a combination of a link which expires and another one which has cloaking enabled.
How to disable Facebook (Meta) link prefetch
Facebook(Meta) prefetches short links in advance (tracks them incorrectly) and points the users directly to the destination (original long) URL.
I shared a short link on Facebook but it is blocked
When posting a short link on Facebook, you might face the error message "Your content couldn't be shared because this link goes against our Community Standards. If you think this doesn't go against our Community Standards, let us know."
Why does Short.io display favicon.ico in Click stream?
Short.io displays every URL requested on your domain, even if it doesn't exist. Browsers send requests when you visit a page; the first is done to fetch an icon of a webpage (favicon); the second is done to load a requested web page.
What GEO database are you using?
Short.io uses Maxmind commercial DB.
Short.io ISO-27001 certification
We are thrilled to announce that Short.cm Inc has achieved ISO 27001 certification, an internationally recognized standard that signifies our commitment to the highest level of information security. This certification is not just a badge of honor for us; it's a promise to you, our valued customers, that your data is in safe hands.
Accessing compliance documents made easy with Short.io Inc's Compliance portal
We are excited to inform you that Short.io Inc has a dedicated Compliance Portal. This portal is designed to streamline your access to our key compliance documents, including ISO and SOC2 certificates, company policies, and other essential materials necessary for due diligence.
Bug bounty program
Short.io has launched a program to search for vulnerabilities and bugs. The program will help to make our service safer, better and more functional, as well as the participants pleased with rewards.
HAR file for troubleshooting
When an error happens, it is necessary for us to figure out additional information about the network requests in your browser while an issue. Short.io service team may request you to record a HAR file, or a log of network requests, while that issue is occurring and then send it to the Short.io team for discovering the error.
Can I have a short domain in a form of email address?
Yes, you can add a short domain in the form of your email address.
Why is my Short.io account banned?
Short.io is a service for shortening, sharing, and tracking branded URLs to benefit your business. If your Short.io account was banned, then it most likely means you have violated our community rules. Any violation of the guidelines may result in a permanent ban from Short.io. User safety is always our top priority, and we don't take violations of our policies lightly.
Someone made a purchase from my Apple account
Unfortunately, you received a message from criminals, not from Apple. No purchase was made, but if you click a link from the email, you will be redirected to the fake Apple website. After you enter your password, criminals will steal your account.
Terms for signing enterprise contracts
We at Short.io sign contracts only for the Enterprise plan. We sign contracts that do not contradict our Terms & Privacy. We reserve the right to refuse to sign a contract. If a company requires us to fill out a questionnaire, we only complete the questionnaires with no more than 50 questions.