Ever shared a link that looked a bit unclear or generic? That’s where URL masking saves the day! It helps transform generic URLs into something more readable and branded.
This article will give you all the insights about what URL masking is and how to make one effortlessly! Let’s dive into it.
What is URL masking?
URL masking, also known as URL cloaking, is a technique that hides the actual URL of a webpage while displaying a different URL to users. This can be achieved through various methods, such as using a redirect or employing a URL shortening service.
Here are some key advantages of URL masking include:
- Branding: Businesses often use URL masking to create branded links that are easier to remember and share. For instance, a brand might use a shortened, branded version instead of a long, complex URL.
- Aesthetic appeal: Masked URLs can be more visually appealing, especially for marketing materials or social media posts. They help keep the link clean and concise.
- Tracking: Some masking services allow businesses to track and increase click-through rates and other analytics, helping them gauge the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.
- Redirecting users: URL masking can redirect users from one URL to another without revealing the destination URL. This is often used for affiliate marketing, where the original link might be replaced with a masked version.
- Hiding complex URLs: In cases where a URL contains parameters or session IDs, masking can simplify the link for easier sharing.
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URL shortening vs URL masking
URL shortening and URL masking are like two close relatives in the digital landscape. Both aim to enhance the usability of long web addresses, but they serve different purposes.
While URL shortening creates concise links for easy sharing, URL masking conceals the actual URL, adding a layer of branding or tracking.
Let’s explore their differences and similarities:
Differences:
| Feature/Aspect | URL Shortening | URL Masking |
| Purpose | To create a concise version of a long URL | To hide the actual URL behind a different one |
| Visibility | The original URL is visible after clicking | The original URL is hidden from users |
| User Experience | Simplifies sharing and typing | Enhances branding and tracking |
| Common Use Cases | Social media sharing, email links | Affiliate marketing, branded links |
| SEO Impact | Can impact link performance positively | May not directly affect SEO |
| Analytics | Often includes tracking capabilities | Can provide click tracking as well |
| Complexity | Simple to implement | Can involve a more complex setup |
Similarities:
- Both enhance the usability of long web addresses.
- Both can help with click tracking and analytics.
- Both are commonly used in digital marketing strategies.
For example:
A shortened URL for, let’s say, ROSÉ & Bruno Mars‘ new collab “APT” would look like:
Whereas the actual masked URL looks like this:
How to mask a URL link using Replug?
You can mask a long URL using Replug before sharing it on social media, making it more visually appealing and easier to share with your followers. Just follow the steps below:
Step 1: Sign in to Replug, or create an account. Once you’re done, you’ll be redirected to the main dashboard page.
Step 2: Enter the URL you want to mask by simply pasting the URL in the bar under “Quickly Shorten your link”
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Step 4: After you click on the blue next button, you’ll be led to a popup. Click on the edit icon and type in the custom URL slug to get a masked link:
Step 5: Now, you can change the URL slug, thereby masking your URL so that it doesn’t look spammy:
Step 5: Once edited, click the Save Shortened Link buton, and you’re done! Now you can share your masked URL to whoever you want, and wherever!
You may also like: The importance of choosing the right URL slug for SEO success
Can you mask URLs in affiliate tracking links?
There are several ways to mask affiliate tracking links:
Using a URL shortener: You can use a URL shortening service like Replug to shorten the affiliate tracking link and then use the shortened link in your HTML code.
Using a redirect script: You can create a redirect script on your server to forward the visitor from your masked link to the affiliate tracking link.
Browser extensions or plugins: Some web extensions or plugins are designed specifically for managing and masking affiliate links. These tools often integrate with your existing marketing platforms and provide features like link tracking and analytics.
FAQs about how to mask a URL linkHow do you mask a link in HTML?
You can mask a link in HTML by using the following code:
This will display the text “Link Text” as a clickable link that will open in a new tab when clicked. The actual URL is hidden behind the text “Link Text.”
FAQs about how to mask a URL link
What is the best tool to mask links?
Replug is an excellent tool for masking links. It allows you to create custom, branded URLs that are both visually appealing and easy to share, enhancing your marketing efforts.
Can you mask URLs in affiliate tracking links?
Yes, you can mask affiliate tracking links using several methods, such as using a URL shortener like Replug, creating a redirect script on your server, or using a web extension to manage your affiliate links.
What are the benefits of URL masking?
URL masking provides several benefits such as:
- Enhanced branding
- Improved aesthetic appeal
- Click tracking, and the ability to hide complex URLs
- Easier to share links while maintaining a professional image
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