Tag: long url shortener

How to mask a URL using a URL shortener?

Amna Yawar
5 minutes

Messy, unbranded links can make even the best content look unpolished. That’s where techniques like URL masking come in, giving you more control over how your links appear and how your brand is represented online.

Whether you’re sharing affiliate links, curating third-party content, or just aiming for a cleaner user experience, masking offers a way to keep your URLs neat and consistent. But like any strategy, it comes with its own set of benefits and boundaries.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through:

In this blog, we’ll break it down step by step:

  • First, what is URL masking, and how does it work.
  • Then, how to set it up using tools like Replug.
  • And finally, why it matters. From branding benefits to user experience.

Let’s get into it.

What is URL masking?

URL masking, also known as URL cloaking, link masking, or domain masking, is a technique that hides the actual URL of a webpage while displaying a more user-friendly URL shortening service.

Link masking works hand in hand with URL redirection, guiding users from one URL to another while keeping the original link hidden. This technique can be achieved through various methods, such as using a redirect or employing a URL shortener.

Example:

User types: 

Masked URL

They see the content from: 

Original URL

But the browser still shows: 

Masked URL

How to mask a URL link using Replug?

You can mask a URL using Replug by creating a branded short link that hides the original URL. Here’s how to do it step by step:

Step 1: Login to your Replug dashboard

Sign in to Replug, or create an account. Once you’re done, you’ll be redirected to the main dashboard page.

Step 2: Shorten your link

Enter the URL you want to mask by simply pasting the URL in the bar under “Quickly Shorten your link” 

Shorten link in Replug

You may also like: How to shorten a link using a URL shortener?

Step 3: Mask the URL

After you click on the blue next button, you’ll be led to a popup. Connect your custom domain and edit the URL slug to generate a masked URL:

Making URL link in Replug

Step 4: Enable link cloaking

Turn on link cloaking in Replug, so users see only your custom, masked link in the browser’s address bar instead of the original URL. This keeps your video link clean, branded, and more trustworthy.

Enable link cloaking

Step 5: Save the masked URL

Once enabled, click the Save Shortened Link button, and you’re done! Now you can share your masked URL to whoever you want, and wherever!

Save masked URL

You may also like: The importance of choosing the right URL slug for SEO success

URL shortening vs URL masking

URL shortening and URL masking both make long links easier to manage, but each is designed with a different goal in mind.

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/AspectURL ShorteningURL Masking
PurposeTo create a concise version of a long URLTo hide the actual URL behind a different one
VisibilityThe original URL is visible after clickingThe original URL is hidden from users
User ExperienceSimplifies sharing and typingEnhances branding and tracking
Common Use CasesSocial media sharing, email linksAffiliate marketing, branded links
SEO ImpactCan impact link performance positivelyMay not directly affect SEO
AnalyticsOften includes tracking capabilitiesCan provide click tracking as well
ComplexitySimple to implementCan 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:

Example of short URL

Whereas the actual masked URL looks like this:

Example of masked URL

Shorten your links, amplify your brand.

Create shareable, trackable and fully customizable branded urls. Get more clicks with absolute link management features such as Bio Links, retargeting, deep Links, CTA’s and more.

Learn More!
fully customizable bio link

Benefits of URL masking with Replug

1. Create branded, shareable links
URL or domain masking lets you use your custom domain instead of a long, generic link, making your brand front and center in every share.

2. Improve the visual appeal of your links
Masked URLs look cleaner and more professional, especially in social media posts, emails, or printed materials. No more distracting strings of random characters.

3. Track clicks and campaign performance
With Replug, you get access to real-time analytics. Track click-through rates, audience behavior, and conversions, all from your branded masked link.

4. Hide the final destination URL
Need to redirect users without showing the actual destination? Replug helps you mask affiliate or third-party URLs for a seamless and polished experience.

5. Simplify long, complex URLs
If your links contain UTM parameters, session IDs, or other tags, masking them with Replug helps you replace them with clean, user-friendly versions that are easier to share.

6. Mask affiliate links
Replug lets you mask affiliate links with clean, branded URLs, making them more trustworthy, trackable, and click-worthy in seconds.

Branded Short Links

Create and track branded short links for your business for better conversions.

Brand Your Links Now!
Branded Short Links

You may also like: What is a vanity URL and why do you need one?

FAQs on 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.

How do you mask a link in HTML?

You can mask a link in HTML by using the following code:

Mask a link in HTML

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.”

What are the benefits of URL masking?

URL masking helps enhance branding, improve link appearance, enable click tracking, and hide complex URLs. With tools like Replug, you can easily mask links, making them look cleaner, more professional, and branded.

Trending: 

How to change a link name?

Instagram Short URL: How to shorten Instagram links

How to create a custom URL: Step-By-step guide

7 benefits of bio links you need to know: your ultimate manual

Amna Yawar
Amna is a content marketer and storytelling enthusiast, dedicated to creating engaging, impactful content. She blends creativity with SEO strategies to help brands connect, inspire, and convert.

How to change a URL of any website?

Arslan JadoonAmna Yawar
3 minutes

Are you looking to change the destination URL of a published page, blog post, or web link?

We’ve all been there. You publish a page or blog post, only to realise the destination link needs a change. Maybe it’s not quite right, or the content has moved. For instance, you share an important announcement, but the link you used now points to the wrong page. Instead of retracing your steps and updating it everywhere manually, wouldn’t it be easier to update the link once and be done? 

With a few simple steps, you can quickly create a new, short URL that redirects smoothly, saving you time and keeping everything on track. Here’s how:

6 simple steps to change a URL:

Replug is an all-in-one link management tool for creating custom URLs, embedding call-to-actions, and making social media bio links. You can change the URL of a website in seconds by following these simple steps with Replug:

Step 1: Go to the Replug app

First things first, you need to go to the Replug app. Simply type in the URL of the app in your search bar:

Replug app URL

Step 2: Sign in to your account

Sign in to your Replug account or create one if you don’t already have one:

sign in to replug account

Step 3: Shorten your desired link

Once you sign up or log in, you’ll be directed to the main dashboard. All you have to do now is paste the URL you want to shorten in the “Enter URL to shorten” bar:

shorten link
shorten URL

Step 4: Click the “right arrow” button

Once you have pasted the long URL, click the “right arrowbutton to proceed further:

shorten URL

Step 5: Edit your URL

Click on the edit icon and type the slug you want for your newly created URL. 

edit long URL

Once you have done that, click on the green tick to save the URL.

branded domain name

Step 6: Save the shortened link

The final step is to click on the “Save Shortened Link” button and you’re done!

save shortened link

FAQs

Can I shorten any website links?

You can easily shorten any website link using URL-shortening tools such as Replug. These not only allow you to shorten your link but also let you share it with your audience and track its performance.

Can I edit my domain name?

Your custom domain is a top-level domain you own and use to share your links. Tools like Replug allow you to edit your domain name easily, allowing you to maintain your brand identity and reputation.

Trending Topics

All-in-one link management solution
Branded link management
How to shorten Amazon links?
How To Add an Instagram Link in Bio?

Arslan Jadoon
Arslan is a SaaS content marketer who crafts clear, engaging content that drives results. He simplifies complex ideas into easily understandable blog posts, landing pages, and emails, helping SaaS companies connect with their audience and grow.
Amna Yawar
Amna is a content marketer and storytelling enthusiast, dedicated to creating engaging, impactful content. She blends creativity with SEO strategies to help brands connect, inspire, and convert.

How to hide a link using a URL shortener?

Arslan Jadoon
3 minutes

Long links can be unattractive and difficult to share, especially on social media platforms with a character limit. What if I tell you that you can hide these long links with branded short links?
Shortened links are easier to include in emails, text messages, or social media posts, especially with a character limit.

Additionally, many URL shorteners have built-in tracking features for measuring the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns and, secondly, for understanding how users interact with a website.

Let’s choose a URL shortener service that meets your needs and show you how to hide a link. 

How to hide a link with Replug?

Step 1: Sign in to Replug or create an account. 

signin or create account

Step 2: Choose a campaign from the main dashboard or create one.  

Note: Here’s how to create a campaign in a few seconds.  

Choose campaign

Step 3: Paste the link you want to hide in the “URL to shorten” section below “Select your campaign” and click create.

Note: In this step, you can also add UTM parameters to your link to track its performance. 

paste url

Step 4: Your newly created link will appear. Click the edit icon and rename the URL slug to whatever you prefer.

new link click edit icon

Step 6: Click the Update button once you’ve entered your new link, and you’re done.

click update button

Note: Navigate to the Manage section on the main dashboard and click Replug Links to access your disguised link.

It’s worth noting that many URL shortening services allow you to customize the shortened link to make it more aesthetically pleasing or memorable. But, Replug also provides tracking features that allow you to see how many clicks the link has received.

FAQs

What is cloaking a link?

Link cloaking is a technique to redirect a website visitor to a different page than the one they clicked on. This can be done for various reasons, such as tracking clicks, shortening long URLs, or hiding the link’s destination from the user. The link the user clicks on is called the “cloaked” link, and it redirects to the actual destination of the link, called the “real” link. When link cloaking is used, the user is usually unaware that they have been redirected, and the real link remains hidden.

What are password-protected links?

Password-protected links require users to enter a password before accessing the link’s content. These links can restrict access to certain content or pages on a website to only those with the password.

Read the easiest method to password-protect a link!

Trending Topics:

Why Your Business Needs a Custom URL Shortener?

How to Disguise a Link Using a URL Shortener?

How to get to the link in the bio on Instagram?

UTM Tracking Through Replug

Arslan Jadoon
Arslan is a SaaS content marketer who crafts clear, engaging content that drives results. He simplifies complex ideas into easily understandable blog posts, landing pages, and emails, helping SaaS companies connect with their audience and grow.

How to change YouTube URL name using a URL shortener tool?

Arslan Jadoon
4 minutes

You can shorten any Youtube URL name using a URL shortener. URL shorteners are useful tools for creating shorter, more manageable versions of long URLs.

No one likes to click a URL link with random characters. But when you make your URL look more professional and authentic. Then, you will get more clicks, and it will be easier for users to recognize what the link is about.
Create customized URLs that are visually appealing and help brand your content. Therefore, creating short custom URLs can make URLs easier to share, manage, and improve the branding of your content. This can be useful if you are promoting your YouTube channel.

Here’s how to change the Youtube URL name using Replug:

Step 1: Create a Replug account or sign in.

signin or create account

Step 2: Find the desired campaign on the main dashboard, or create a new one. 

Note: If you need help creating a new campaign, check out this guide: “Create a campaign in seconds.”

Select compaign 

Step 3: Paste the URL in the “URL to shorten” section below “Select your campaign.”

paste url

Step 4: Click the create button to see your new URL. 

click create

Step 5:  Look at the newly shortened version of your Youtube URL. 

new url

Step 6: Customize the URL by clicking the edit icon opposite the URL.

click edit icon

Step 7: Type your desired URL slug and click update at the bottom, and your new Replug URL is ready to share.

type new url and update

Increase your CTR with a Branded Link Now!

Replug Branded CTA

Create deep links to increase Youtube views using a URL shortener

Deep links are shortened links directly open a specific location within a mobile app. This, in return, improves the user journey experience and increases the chance of conversions. 

YouTubers can also create deep links using a URL shortener tool. This tool can help influencers, brands, and others to get more views and clicks on their videos by delivering an unbreakable experience. 

For example, sharing a deep link will allow users to directly watch the video you intended without the hassle of signing up, logging in, or even searching the video on Youtube.
Deep linking is not only limited to Youtube. These links are helpful when sharing links to specific social media content or a specific product on your online store and other platforms.

To create a deep link using Replug, you’ll need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign in to Replug and click the drop-down icon in the top right corner. 

click dropdown icon

Step 2: Choose deep links from the drop-down menu. 

click deep link

Step 3: Deep link categories page will open. Choose a category since, in this case, a deep link is needed for the YouTube video. So, here we choose video.

click video

Step 4: Select Youtube from the video category page since we will create a deep link for a Youtube video. 

click youtube

Step 5: The next step is to select the playlist, since this video belongs to our YouTube playlist, and click create deep link. 

click playlist and create deep link

Step 6: A new page will open where you need to select the campaign.

select compaign

Step 7:  Paste the URL in the “URL” section below “Select your campaign.”

paste url

Step 8: Click the save link button to create the link.

save link

Step 9: Now click the edit button to customize your new link. 

edit url

Step 10: Type your new URL slug and click save. 

save click

You can download your custom deep link as a QR code and share it on any social media platform you like.

 

Popular Topics:

Top 5 Paid URL Shorteners Worth Paying For!

YouTube URL Shortener-A Must Have For Every YouTuber

How to Disguise a Link Using a URL Shortener?

The Ultimate Guide to Online Branding and Building Authority

How to Change Facebook URL on Mobile and Desktop?

Arslan Jadoon
Arslan is a SaaS content marketer who crafts clear, engaging content that drives results. He simplifies complex ideas into easily understandable blog posts, landing pages, and emails, helping SaaS companies connect with their audience and grow.

How to change Shopify URL for sharing on social media?

Arslan Jadoon
3 minutes

Link shortener services can create a more memorable and professional-looking URL for your store. A link shortener tool can help shorten the URL of your store’s home page and also help shorten the URLs of individual product pages, making them easier to remember and share.

A link shortener can help create custom URLs with your domain, making them easier to remember and share. They also provide analytics to track your links’ performance and make your store more secure by hiding the link’s true destination.

Here’s how to change the shopify URL, shorten it, share it with the audience, and track its performance using Replug’s link shortener tool.

How to change Shopify URL using a URL shortener 

Step 1: Sign in to your Replug account or create a new one if you don’t have one.

signin or create account

Step 2: Choose a campaign from your dashboard, or create a new one.

select campaign

Note: For help creating a new campaign, visit this guide: Create a campaign in seconds.” 

Increase your CTR with a Branded Link Now!

Replug Branded CTA

Step 3: Enter your Shopify URL as the destination URL in the “URL to shorten” section below “Select your campaign.”

paste link

Step 4: Simply click the create button to create a shortened URL for your Shopify store.

click create

 

Step 5: Now you have your new URL, which will look like the one below in the picture. You can customize this URL by clicking on the edit icon.

shortened url

Step 6: Enter the new URL you want to use, and your custom Shopify Store URL is ready for sharing on social media. Click on the update button to save the new URL. 

cutom url

FAQs

Can I change my Shopify store name? 

Yes, you can. You must be the store owner to change your Shopify store name. Log in to your Shopify store, go to the Settings page, and click Store Details. You can enter a new store name into the ”Store name” field.

How do I find a Shopify URL? 

Follow these steps to find any Shopify URL.

Log in to your Shopify store admin. The URL will be in the browser address bar. 

Go to Online Store > Domains in the leading left menu. This will give you an overview of your store domains.

 

Popular Reads:

Why Your Business Needs a Custom URL Shortener?

Instagram URL Shortener Tools To Elevate Your Marketing

Bio Links From Replug: Create a Stronger Marketing Impact while Social Sharing

YouTube URL Shortener-A Must Have For Every YouTuber

Arslan Jadoon
Arslan is a SaaS content marketer who crafts clear, engaging content that drives results. He simplifies complex ideas into easily understandable blog posts, landing pages, and emails, helping SaaS companies connect with their audience and grow.

Long URL Problem Solved: Use Cases and Examples

Khadija Anwar
11 minutes
Is it bad to have a long URL?
A long URL is bad from a marketing aspect as they are not easy to share and remember. Such URLs receive little to none engagement rates. Shorten long URLs using a URL shortener that builds your brand’s identity.

Now and then we get to see URLs that are either too long or carries random characters. However, URL shorteners is the magical way to not only shorten a long URL but also to change the URL name and to use the URL as a powerful marketing tool.

Link shorteners do way more than disguising a link, as times have changed, and so does product marketing. Long URL shortener is a reliable tool to change URL length, edit characters, add a call to action, and much more. We can also track and analyze how links perform across all social channels. 

For example, global businesses are now thoroughly based on online marketing and URL sharing. However, with a nasty URL, it is hard to describe what it is about. Unknown and random characters in the URL are suspicious enough not to stray away the receiver from clicking on it.

Hence, custom URL shorteners come in to play. 

Long URL shortener: Use cases and examples 

A good URL shortener will help in two main objectives, simplifying the link with fewer characters and measuring analytics for it. Anyone with internet availability can use a link shortener, from product marketers to small business owners, from Tiktokers to individuals. Everyone can use it anywhere!

Here are some reasons why a link shortener should be an important part of your marketing aspect.

#1:Tesla Incorporating Branded Links

Any URL with your brand name will assure the link reader that it will lead to your page. Link shortening tools make URLs visually appealing and legitimate. 

It has been reported that branded links increase CTR so the companies that go with the changing trends and technologies are adapting.

Elon Musk’s multinational automotive company, Tesla, incorporates branded links when they run social media campaigns. 

Look at the example below.

tesla-branded-link

Increase your CTR with a Branded Link Now!

Replug Branded CTA

#2: Fail Army promoting video content

fail-army-

Youtubers are also realizing the power of bio links

Fail Army is a popular Youtube channel known for curating funny videos. They also have a massive Instagram following. Their strategy is to use bio links to promote their latest content. These links directly take the user to their promoted content.

#3: Pewdiepie’s merchandize marketing

Here’s an example of how Youtubers are utilizing bio links to promote other content on their socials.

pewdie-pie-bio-link

Famous Youtuber Pewdiepie, has a massive social following on Youtube and Instagram. He has monetized his Instagram following by promoting its merchandize store through Instagram bio links.

When any one clicks the bio link it takes them to his online store.  He also share pictures of himself wearing his latest clothing to promote on Instagram.

Related: How To Add Instagram Link In Bio?

#4: G Fuel’s bio link strategy

Gfuel is a famous energy drink and often collaborates with Ninja and Pewdiepie. It is also the official drink of Esports. If you visit their Instagram, they have multiple pictures of their products. Every product description says, “link in the bio.” 

G-fuel-link-in-bio

Here is the bio link of Gfuel. 

G-fuel-bio-link

If you click the link, you will go to the landing page showing exact pictures as on Instagram. You further tap on your target product picture and land on the purchase page. 

G-fuel-product-url

This is an easy way of capturing leads to the product page and changing them into conversions.  

#5: Digital branding and marketing

Branded links increase trust and credibility of the URL. 

Below is an example of an unreliable link.

bad-bitly-short-link

There are ways to make the links more appealing. Create short URLs, in return that can also bring more conversions. 

Instead, this is what you should do.

good-branded-short-link-

Editing random and untrustworthy links through shortening tools becomes more genuine and authentic. It is important to edit messy links, especially if you are running digital and social media marketing campaigns.

Related: Bio Links From Replug: Create a Stronger Marketing Impact while Social Sharing:

#6: Podcast marketing

blitz-growth-podcast-bio-link

Above image is an example of Jack Paxton’s account. He mentions his bio link, which will be redirected to a page filled with all podcast links. 

Like this: 

bio-link-preview

Bio links are the best strategy to take your Instagram audience to the podcast library. This is also helpful in collecting emails by adding the “email me” button. 

Use case #7: Amplify your music following

Another feature of the URL shortening tool is a deep link. Deep links redirect you from the URL to the specified screen page of a particular app.  

Spotify is a well-known audio streaming and media provider company. They recently tweeted about a new album and shared a customized link. If you click the link, you will directly go to wizkhalifa’s new album on Spotify.

Spotify-short-bio-link

Related:How to Build a Custom Audience through URL Tracking

#8: Myfix Cycles retargeting strategy to reduce cart abandonment 

Retargeting is a great feature that can bring back visitors that have bounced from your websites. Along with other great features, Replug also gives you the control to retarget visitors through retargeting pixels.

Retargeting has proved to be a great source of converting potential buyers to customers. Link retargeting allows users to target the people who have already visited your social or website.

Most of the eCommerce companies face cart abandonment issues where users leave without completing the purchase. With retargeting, users can remind customers through ads or emails to complete their purchase. Retargeting has proven to be a far more successful strategy to increase conversions.

Myfix Cycles uses retargeting smartly and resells their product that didn’t make the purchase the product the first time around. Below is the image of their retargeting.

myfix-cycles-retargeting-link

Related: How To Utilize Replug for Facebook Retargeting Ads?

#9: A/B test your marketing campaigns

Link analytics plays a very important role when it comes to creating tracking URLs. One of the exclusive features of link shortening tools is A/B testing.

Imagine you are running a specific sales campaign and creating two or more special offer web pages to test which content performs well. 

A/B testing allows you to split traffic and compare performance of each URL on the base of weightages that you set. Finally, choose the page that performs well or optimize the content that underperforms. 

This feature is very handful for designers to test their designs, for content creators to evaluate their content and for every marketer as a whole package. 

Related: Conversion Rate Optimization Tips – 8 Easy Ways to Boost Sales

#10: Deep linking example of text marketing to increase conversion

Deep links in SMS marketing motivate users to install the app. Take the example of a shopping app. Use a deep link with a bonus point which will be rewarded after users install the application. Once the user clicks the deep link, it will launch the app on the relevant system. If it is not installed, a relevant store will be opened. When the user initiates the app, the product page and offer will appear. Without deep linking, these steps require manual processing.

sms-marketing-using-deep-links

Let’s say you are making an online shop and promoting a certain item; deep links help you direct visitors to relevant content. In case the app is not installed it will take you relevant play store

Deep links are very helpful when it comes to online user experience. Suppose, you are a seller on Amazon, Shopify or any other ecommerce platform and you want to direct the user to specific products rather than search the product on the app or web. With deep linking, no unnecessary steps will be required and you will directly land on the relevant content as shown in the below image.

ecommerce-deep-links-

You don’t need to advertise the app as a whole. Only the relevant content that you want to target and the user that clicks that link will reach the appropriate location without any hurdles. This not only increases the rate of conversions but also improves the overall experience.

Related: How to Use Short Links for SMS & SMS Marketing

#11: Short links are best for Tweets

You have only 280 character limits for tweets to express opinions, use captions, add captions, call out a person, and much more. You can do anything under Twitter’s specified character limit. Brands use URLs while announcing any update, sale, or mega deal. 

Generally, links are overly long, and they tend to cover all Twitter character space. Therefore, people tend to use URL shortening tools to change messy long URLs into branded URLs

Here are some brands that have used short & customized links in their tweets. 

Example#Disney

Disney is also making a new series announcement with a customized link in their tweet. 

https://twitter.com/DisneyD23/status/1554150408695586816?s=20&t=mnN3JZJn8pBTfZofu8q7Yw

Here is Disney’s example of using a short & customized links in their tweets. 

Disney is also making a new series announcement with a customized link in their tweet. 

twitter-URL-shortener

Disney’s customized link is not short only but has the brand’s slogan in it. There are higher chances for the audience to visit links, check new promos, and subscribe to a streaming platform if they haven’t already.

#12: Turning USP realizes the power of bio links for brands

Link shortening tool can change a single link into a beautiful, mobile-friendly, flexible landing page. You can offer the services you want. Pre-designed layouts are available to create a landing page. 

Moreover, you can add videos, images, text etc. to showcase your brand. Drag and drop editor can make everything easy and efficient. 

Here is an example of Turing USP that mentioned their bio link in the Instagram bio. 

Turning-USP-bio-links

#13: Engage more QR code marketing

QR codes are new scannable marketing sources. You can generate a new smart QR code with every branded link you customize with a link shortening platform. 

Download it and use it in your every visual content, such as visiting cards, flyers, or discount codes, as a marketing opportunity to build brand authority. QR codes are a powerful way of amplifying your brand’s slogan.

QR codes promote engagement and interaction. This type of business strategy enables businesses to share information with users.

The calamities like the pandemic and global warming initiatives have pushed us more towards creating a contactless and paperless green environment. While QR Codes are playing a vital and supportive role towards it yet they are also proving to be a great tool for marketing.

qr-real-estate

From banking payments to promotion or any information and material, it is proving a useful tool for analytics aswell as to improve user experience. 

Here are some ways how you can maximize QR codes to monitor the performance of your marketing campaigns properly. 

  • Lands customers directly on the website
  • Dial your business number
  • Send message/ email
  • View business locations
  • Download app
  • Direct customers to social media pages

#14: Make your social links count!

Similarly length is important for all your social links. A domain name adds more plus points. They provide a clean look. 

Any URL with your brand name will assure the link reader that it will lead to your page. Link management tools make URLs visually appealing and legitimate. 

Look at Gary Vee’s bio link

link-in-bio-on-tiktok

He uses the bio link to drive users towards his Apple podcast.

Similarly, you can share your favorite content with friends without the installation of a particular app. Let’s say if somebody shared a TikTok video link with you, and you don’t have a TikTok account, you can click the URL and still watch it without installing TikTok. This is the power of deep links. 

You can share your favorite content with friends without the installation of a particular app. Let’s say if somebody shared a TikTok video link with you, and you don’t have a TikTok account, you can click the URL and still watch it without installing TikTok. This is the power of deep links. 

Related: How To Get More TikTok Views?

#15 Perfect Call to Action buttons

Every Marketer’s end goal is to earn high revenue. It gets possible when your product reaches the right audience. It improves your impression and ad rank. 

High CTR means more people seeing, clicking, and engaging with your services. It is all possible with link shortening URL platforms. You can create, edit, and advertise links that have a custom domain name or brand’s slogan. They will be considered authentic and genuine and will attract the right customer. 

#16 Example of media companies using Vanity URLs

Several major media companies and publications use vanity URLs when sharing links:

  • Netflix = movi.es
  • Time = ti.me
  • TechCrunch = tcrn.ch
  • Engadget = engt.co
  • Huffington Post = huffp.st
  • Economist= econ.st
  • New York Times = nyti.ms

Related: What is a Vanity URL and How to Track it?

#17: Track, analyze & convert

url-tracking- analytics

URL shortening tools empower to make informed decisions by providing vital data points. You can track what content is working best for you and what needs to improvise. 

URLs are trackable and give insights about clicks and engagements. You can also retarget your prospected clients who have already shown interest in your content. 

Campaign analytics help you optimize your marketing efforts. It helps you understand your audience better. You can observe which social media channels drive maximum traffic and design strategies accordingly.

How do I shorten a URL length?

It is a pretty simple process to shorten your links using a URL shortener.

Step 1
Login to your Replug account

Replug-log-in

Step 2
Navigate to create quick Replug link”. Enter the campaign and the long URL to shorten. 

  1. Now click “Create”

Replug-short-Link

Step 3
In the next step, you can edit the link or change the slug. You can add or remove existing tags. Click the update button and you are done.

Replug-short-links-

FAQs

What is a long URL?

A long URL is a long and nasty address to a particular document or file. They are difficult to remember. Sometimes they are long enough that after copying them on social channels, you don’t have any space left to write details. 

Here is an example: 

Buzz-feed-url

All the above URLs have one thing in common, they are long, messy, and have random characters. Therefore, they may look suspicious to some people when forwarded in DM, which makes them avoid clicking it. 

What is too long for a URL?

A URL is considered too long if it has above 100 characters. An overly long URL causes search engine and usability issues. It may also lead to lower CTR (click-through rate). 

Long URL doesn’t display better on the web. An extra-long URL might have symbols and characters. Google doesn’t support an overly long URL with random characters. 

Is it okay to have a long URL?

It doesn’t matter how long the URL length is.  However, with respect to marketing and SEO, the leading brands try to keep them shorter than 100 characters. It makes monitoring easy.
For example:

Long-URL-example

This URL is 118 characters long, and Twitter has 280 characters limit. So the above link is long enough in itself that it doesn’t leave any space to say anything about it. Furthermore, such link are unappealing and unattractive to share.

Long URL Problems Solved
Shortening long URLs is pretty simple and easy. Brands and celebrities have realized the powerful features that come along with URL shorteners. The use cases and examples have highlighted just. If you are still not convinced, I recommend taking time for an online meeting just might change your thoughts towards URL shorteners. One thing is for sure. a long URL just sucks and drains your online marketing!

Khadija Anwar
I am Khadija Anwar, B2B Copywriter. I started my career as a freelance writer in 2019 and built a strong portfolio. I have crafted multiple blogs, website content, fashion magazines, news outlets, SEO content, and technical documentation. Last but not least, my favorite cartoon character is Dopey Dwarf, resembling my real-life character- calm, happy, and lively.

Amplify Your Marketing With Optimized Link Sharing

Over 35,000+ marketers, agencies, businesses, e-commerce stores and brands optimize and track their links using Replug and get better returns on their marketing efforts.