ℹ️Short urls - 101

Understanding the basics of shortened URLs is crucial for maximizing the benefits of our service. In this section, we’ll break down the key components of a short link, so you know exactly what each pa

In this section, we’ll break down the key components of a short link, so you know exactly what each part does and how you can utilise them to your advantage.

1. Domain

• Description: The domain is the part of the URL that precedes the short alias. It’s the web address of the URL shortening service.

• Example: In the short link http://blinks.to/dCXdr1, blinks.to is the domain.

• Blinks.to helps to create a shortened url like the one below

img 1 - A long url typical of a website

2. Alias

• Shortened url: Blinks.to converts the long url to a shortened url as shown in image 2.

• Description: The alias is the unique identifier that follows the domain in a shortened URL. It’s a randomised string of characters generated by the system.

• Example: In http://blinks.to/dCXdr1, dCXdr1 is the alias.

img 2 - A shortened url with random alias provided by blinks.to

img 3 - Domain and alias of shortened url

3. Custom Alias

• Description: A custom alias lets users create their own meaningful and memorable short link ending.

• Example: Instead of a random string, you can have http://blinks.to/mycatalog.

• How to Use: During the URL shortening process, choose the option to customize your alias and enter your preferred string.

img 4 - Shortened url with custom alias

4. Custom Domain

• Description: A custom domain allows users to personalise the domain part of their short links. This feature is usually available for premium users.

• Example: Using a custom domain, a short link could look like http://coach.at/book.

• How to Use: To set up a custom domain, you need to configure the DNS settings of your domain to point to our service

img 5 - shortened url with custom domain and alias

By understanding these key components, you can create short links that are not only concise but also branded and memorable, providing a better experience for your audience. Ensure to follow best practices for custom aliases to maintain a professional and consistent branding.