More than a free link shortener

Create short links, QR Codes, and Link-in-bio pages with thousand premium domain names:

Shorten URL & Custom alias with shortest domain name

Shorten URL

Shorten URL & Custom alias with shortest domain name

Create & Design your own beautiful Link-in-bio page

Link-in-bio page

Create & Design your own beautiful Link-in-bio page

Generate free QR Code, design QR Code with your own logo

QR code generator

Generate free QR Code, design QR Code with your own logo

List your domain for rent or rent many domains to shorten link, create bio page

Domain marketplace for rent

List your domain for rent or rent many domains to shorten link, create bio page

Link cloaking (link masking) to hide your destination website to advertising

Link cloaking

Link cloaking (link masking) to hide your destination website to advertising

Retargeting your link with Google analytics or Facebook pixel... Mobile/Location redirect, A/B testing...

Link retargeting

Retargeting your link with Google analytics or Facebook pixel... Mobile/Location redirect, A/B testing...

Manange your URLs by using separate campaigns

Campaign management

Manange your URLs by using separate campaigns

Using team feature to work with many members, departments in your company

Work with Team

Using team feature to work with many members, departments in your company

We are big data company based which can generate you report instantly

Big data analytics

We are big data company based which can generate you report instantly

Manage your app by our API power, fully API supported with many separate API keys

API full support

Manage your app by our API power, fully API supported with many separate API keys

Shorten World Platform

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What is link shortener?

A link shortener is a web service or tool that is used to convert a long URL (Uniform Resource Locator) into a shorter and more manageable link. These shortened links are also known as "short URLs" or "shortened URLs." The primary purpose of link shorteners is to make URLs more user-friendly, save space, and make sharing links on the internet easier.

How do link shorteners work?

  1. Firstly, you provide the long URL that you want to shorten to the link shortening service.
  2. Secondly, the service generates a unique, shorter URL that redirects to the original long URL.
  3. Thirdly, you can then use the shortened link to share the original URL with others.

Link shorteners have several benefits, including:

  • Improved aesthetics: Shortened links are neater and more visually appealing, making them easier to share in printed materials or on social media platforms with character limits.
  • Better user experience: Shortened URLs are easier to remember and type, reducing the likelihood of typos.
  • Tracking and analytics: Many link shortening services offer analytics, allowing users to track the performance of their links, including the number of clicks, geographic location of users, and more.
  • QR codes: Shortened links are often used in QR codes, making it easier for people to access web content using their mobile devices.
  • Link cloaking: You can hide your destination URL behind shortened link, so you can pass any advertiser easy (For advertising purpose)

However, it's important to note that there are potential downsides to using link shorteners. Since the original URL is hidden behind the shortened link, users may be hesitant to click on such links due to concerns about where they might lead. There have been cases of malicious actors using link shorteners to disguise harmful or fraudulent URLs.

Overall, link shorteners are a handy tool for simplifying and managing URLs, but users should exercise caution and ensure that they are using trusted services, especially when clicking on shortened links from unknown sources.

What makes a great link shortener?

A great link shortener possesses several important qualities and features, which include:

  • Reliability: It should reliably shorten and redirect URLs without downtime or errors.
  • Ease of Use: The service should be user-friendly, allowing users to quickly shorten links without complications.
  • Customization: The ability to customize the shortened links is essential for branding and creating memorable links.
  • Analytics and Tracking: Providing data on link performance, such as the number of clicks, geographic information about users, and referral sources, is valuable for understanding link engagement.
  • Security: It should prioritize user safety by offering protection against malicious use of the shortened links, such as spam or malware distribution.
  • No Expiry or Limited Expiry Options: Links should ideally remain active indefinitely, but some services offer limited expiry options for specific use cases.
  • API Support: Integration with other tools and services through an API can be beneficial for automation and data sharing.
  • No Forced Advertising: Some link shorteners may insert their ads or branding into shortened URLs. A great service should offer customization without forced advertising.
  • User Account Options: While many services allow anonymous use, account registration can offer benefits like link management, historical data, and extra features.
  • Multiple Shortening Options: Services should offer various link formats, including custom short domains or branded links.
  • Cost-Effective Plans: A range of pricing plans, including free and premium options, allows users to choose based on their needs and budget.
  • QR Code Generation: The ability to generate QR codes for the shortened URLs is helpful for mobile and print marketing.
  • API Rate Limits: For power users and businesses, having adequate API rate limits is crucial to ensure smooth operation.
  • Privacy and Data Protection: The service should respect user privacy and have clear data protection policies.
  • Link Preview: Some link shorteners offer link preview features to give users an idea of the destination URL before clicking.
  • Geotargeting: The option to redirect users to different landing pages based on their geographic location can be a valuable feature.
  • Customer Support: Access to responsive customer support can be essential, particularly for business users.
  • Reporting and Exporting: The ability to generate reports and export data can be beneficial for in-depth analysis.

The combination of these features can make a link shortener an excellent tool for both personal and business use. The specific requirements may vary based on individual needs and use cases.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about free link shortener (free url shortener):

A free link shortener is an online tool that allows you to shorten long URLs at no cost. It transforms lengthy web addresses into compact, easy-to-share links—perfect for social media, emails, or SMS. These tools are ideal for individuals, marketers, students, and businesses who need a fast and cost-effective way to manage and share links:

1. 100% Free to Use – No sign-up or payment required.

2. Instant Shortening – Paste your long URL and get a short version in seconds.

3. Basic Click Tracking – Some free tools offer limited analytics to monitor traffic.

4. Easy Sharing – Short links are ideal for Twitter, WhatsApp, or printed materials.

Most reputable free link shorteners are safe to use. However, be cautious of using lesser-known or untrustworthy services, as they could potentially lead to issues like link breakage or spam.
It depends on the specific link shortener service. Some allow you to create short links without an account, while others may require you to sign up for an account. At Ln.run, you can shorten unlimited links without any registration.
Link shorteners make long URLs more manageable, improve the appearance of links, and can provide tracking and analytics data about link usage.
Some link shorteners allow you to customize the shortened URL, creating a more branded and recognizable link. This feature is not always available in all free link shorteners.
Free link shorteners may have limitations on the number of links you can create, the length of time they remain active, or the level of analytics provided. Paid versions of these services often offer more features.
Some link shorteners allow you to edit or delete links, while others do not. It depends on the service's features and settings.
Using short links does not directly affect SEO, but they may not carry the same SEO benefits as the original, descriptive URLs. Search engines can still index the final destination URL.
Reputable link shorteners typically have privacy policies to protect your data. However, it's essential to review their terms and conditions to ensure your data is handled securely.
Yes, link shorteners are often used on social media platforms to save space and make links more presentable. However, some platforms may have restrictions or guidelines for their use.
Yes, there are alternatives, including paid link shorteners, your own website domain, and URL redirect services. These options offer more control and branding opportunities.
Some free link shorteners allow commercial use, while others may have restrictions. It's essential to check the terms of service for each service you consider.
Many free link shorteners provide basic analytics and tracking data, such as click-through rates and geographic information. More advanced analytics may be available with premium or paid plans.
If a link shortening service shuts down, any links created with that service will likely become inaccessible. It's a good practice to keep backup records of original URLs whenever possible.
There are many link shortener out there, but with our experience the best link shortener is Shorten World which allows you to do so many things like: Link management, Shorten link by so many domain names, Link-in-bio, QR code generator, Link cloaking, Pixel retargeting, A/B testing, Mobile redirect, Export and Import bulk links... And of course the Shorten World Pricing is cheapest in this market.
Absolutely. Free link shorteners are widely used for marketing, social media, and content sharing by individuals and businesses alike.
Yes, you can shorten affiliate links for free using a URL shortener. Many free link shortening services allow you to convert long, complex affiliate URLs into clean, clickable short links. This not only makes your links more shareable on social media, blogs, or emails but also helps improve click-through rates (CTR) and track performance through analytics. Just make sure the link shortener you choose supports affiliate URLs and doesn’t strip tracking parameters.
No, you don’t need to install anything to use most online link shorteners. These tools are typically web-based and work directly from your browser. Just copy and paste your long URL into the shortener’s input box, and it will generate a short link instantly. Some advanced users may choose to install browser extensions or use APIs, but for basic shortening, no installation is required.

Free Link Shortener Features:

1. Create and share short URLs

2. No installation required – browser-based

3. Basic analytics (click count, traffic source)

4. Limited customization (no branded links)

5. Usually no link expiration or advanced controls

Paid Link Shortener Features:

1. Use custom branded domains

2. Advanced analytics and performance tracking

3. Retargeting and campaign-level reporting

4. Password protection for links

5. Set link expiration dates and usage limits

6. API access and integration with marketing tools

7. Better support and reliability for businesses