Learn how URL shorteners work, why they’re useful, and the key features that make short links secure, trackable, and easy to manage.
A URL shortener is a service that takes a long web address and converts it into a shorter, easy-to-share link. These short links not only look cleaner but can also include features like tracking, customization, and security, depending on the service.
Many URL shorteners allow you to see how your links perform. Typical insights include the number of clicks, where visitors are located, referral sources, and what devices they’re using. This makes short links useful for marketing and content sharing.
Some shorteners go beyond simple redirection by adding features such as password protection, link expiration dates, or access limits. These features ensure that shared content is only available to the right audience.