10 URL shorteners for 2024: Save space and track links
It sounds like magic, but anyone with an internet browser can use link shorteners: social media managers, regular everyday Facebook moms, small business owners, and TikTok stars of all heights.
In this blog, we’re sharing everything you need to know about using URL shorteners and why they should be a part of your social media tool kit. We also spoke to seven social media experts for tips on making the most of them, plus a list of 10 URL shorteners to choose from.
Key Takeaways
* URL shorteners transform long, messy links into neat, manageable URLs. They also let you easily track clicks, making them perfect for monitoring your social media impact.
* Customize your short links with branded names or unique phrases. This not only looks more professional but helps your links stand out and stay memorable with your audience.
* Many URL shorteners offer QR code creation. These are super handy for bridging offline and online interactions, making it easy for people to access your content through a quick scan.
What is a URL shortener?
A URL shortener is a tool that creates a short, unique URL that will redirect to the specific website of your choosing.
Basically: they make a link shorter, simpler, and easier to look at. Your new, shorter URL will typically include the shortener site’s address plus a combination of random letters.
For example, if I punch in a URL like animalplanet.com/tv-shows/puppy-bowl/full-episodes/puppy-bowl-xvi into the link shortener in Hootsuite’s Composer, I can click Shorten with Ow.ly to create a short, handy URL that uses fewer characters.
Check out what the URL turns into on the right side below:
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In some cases, you can even customize this mini URL with a custom phrase—we’ll dig into that more later.
So, why would you want to use this? A few instances include:
* Track link performance: URL shorteners let you see how many times people have clicked your link, making tracking a breeze.
* Brand your links: Premium accounts on many URL shorteners let you create your own branded short links.
* Share easy-to-type links: Make it easier for people to type the link in on their own if you share it on a site like Instagram where URLs aren’t clickable.
* Make links memorable: By branding and personalizing your short links, you help them stick in peoples’ minds better.
Why URL shorteners are a game-changer for social media
If you’re sharing links across your social media channels, URL shorteners can be super handy. Let’s go over a few benefits of a short URL.
* Increase conversions: Not only do URL shorteners make it easier to track your conversions, it can also increase conversions in general by making your links easier to click, copy, and share.
* Maximize character count: Some platforms, like X (Twitter), limit the number of characters you can use in your posts, making every character count. URL shorteners can help you fit more within that limit.
* Improve aesthetics: Short URLs simply look better. Plus, long links can look suspicious and spammy. Make your content more aesthetically pleasing and on-brand across all of your platforms.
Because shortened links have so many benefits, tons of social media platforms automatically have their own methods of shortening. Just take a look at this example from LinkedIn:
Source: Asana
However, by using your own URL shortener and making your short links branded or customized, you can make your links even easier to share and remember.
Bonus: Get a free social media strategy template to quickly and easily plan your strategy, track results, and share with your boss, teammates, and clients.
10 of the best URL shortener tools for social media
With so many URL shortener options out there, how do you know which to choose? Our advice: look for link shortener tools that allow you to customize your link, have built-in detailed analytics, and can easily integrate into your social media workflow.
In addition, a URL shortener that’s been around a while might be more reliable and reputable— likely to avoid service closure or disruption.
Here are our top 10 picks for the best URL shorteners.
1. Ow.ly
If you’re looking for a user-friendly, all-in-one URL shortener, Ow.ly is for you.
Hootsuite’s link shortener is integrated right into the Hootsuite platform and is included with every plan type.
Not only does Ow.ly shorten long links, but it can automatically apply tracking parameters at the same time. You can easily add UTM parameters for the traffic source, medium, or campaign all in one place. This takes the heavy lifting out of creating custom links yourself. Major win!
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And because Ow.ly is integrated into your Hootsuite account, you can easily track and measure your link’s performance directly in your analytics dashboard, too.
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Owly’s link settings seamlessly integrate with everything else you do within Hootsuite, so it’s an easy and secure option if you already use Hootsuite as your social media platform.
Key features:
* URL shortening
* URL tracking
* Analytics and reporting
Best for: Marketers and small business owners looking for an all-in-one link shortener and tracker that integrates with your analytics platform.
Pricing: Hootsuite offers a range of plans suited for individuals and enterprises alike. Plans start at $99 per month.
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