What is a URL Shortener?
A URL shortener is a tool that converts a long, complex web address into a shorter, more manageable link. Instead of sharing lengthy URLs filled with parameters, you get a clean, compact version that redirects users to the original page.
Key Benefits
- • Improved readability: Short links look cleaner and more professional
- • Easier sharing: Ideal for social media, emails, and SMS
- • Tracking & analytics: Monitor clicks, locations, and user behavior
- • Branding options: Create custom links that reflect your business name
How It Works
A URL shortener maps the shortened link to the original URL using a redirect. When someone clicks the short link, they’re instantly forwarded to the full destination.
For example, the URL
https://www.rshweb.com/hosting/?=29378-category/serachenginemarketing/seo123.html
Could be shortened to a much shorter version, such as:
https://rshweb.com/seo-tuneup
In modern digital marketing, URL shorteners are widely used to boost engagement, track campaign performance, and maintain a polished online presence.
"Goo.gl" was Google's shorting tool. This was one of Googles most popular services, but was closed back in 2019.
There are a good number of URL shortening tools that can be used.
Here are some of the best URL shortening tools that we found.
Also see "YOURLS" below for RSH Web Service's free Add-on URL Shortener for all our Hosting packages.
Bit.ly
When it comes to URL shortening tools, one of the most popular names would have to be Bit.ly. There is a good chance that a number of shortened URLs that you have seen were made using this. The free tool allows you to shorten URLs by simply pasting the link. From there, you can instantly copy and paste this link to your website as much as you would like. Becoming a registered member allows more options, such as customizable links, and the ability to track statistics for specific links. Bit.ly has been one of the best for a long time. With a large Resource Library.
TinyURL
Another great URL shortening tool that has been around for some time is tinyURL. This allows you to not only shorten your URLs, but also create and customize it for free. What makes this tool handy to use is the option of being able to add it to your browser toolbar for Mozilla users and as a Google Chrome Extension. Need to shorten your links in a hurry, TinyURL is the best tool for that.
Ow.ly
Once a tool that was free like TinyURL and Bit.ly, Ow.ly now is a URL shortening tool that is a part of Hootsuite. One of the best social media sharing, and monitoring tools available. The best part of this is being bundled with Hootsuite. You are able to integrate the links to your social media posts, which comes in handy when sharing content.
Is.gd
The simplest tool to use on this list? "Shortening more than 2,056,754,800 URLs" A URL shortening tool that gives you a shortened link in quick fashion, without the need of CAPTCHA codes or extra verification. You can also create your own custom URL, which helps create a more identifiable URL when using it in your posts.
Plus.ly
Shorten your Google+ URL. The URL shortener works best on all sorts of posts, as it keeps the connection from breaking, and makes it simple to coordinate into a post.
Branch.io
With Mobile SEO becoming more important, it is best to optimize and shorting your mobile links for better accessibility. Allows you to create deep links, integration with other applications, and link tracking. All of these features come with the initial, which makes it a handy package that helps make your mobile SEO just that much more efficient.
Buff.ly
Buff.ly is a URL shortening tool that is a part of Buffer. Another social media management tool that helps share and track your posts on different platforms. The URL shortener works best on these kinds of posts, as it prevents the link from breaking, and makes it easy to integrate into a post. If you are a Buff user, then buff.ly has extra features that you can utilize. Apps, Extensions and Extras.
Genius Link
Create smarter links for eCommerce with this "intelligent" URL shortening service. This shortening service is one of the best for affiliate marketing to cash in over the international traffic and boosts your commissions. With many features, you can easily set and create customized groups for your team members. Add subaccounts of your team for their own affiliate linking, and be the main controller to manage all.
Polr
Polr is another great open-source URL shortener. It enables you to have your own unique URL shortener, Polr is a quick, modern, and open-source link shortener. It allows you to have your own URL shortener, to brand and to gain control over your data. It is also GPLv2+ licensed.
YOURLS
A PHP scripts that will allow you to run your own URL shortening service. You can make it private or public, you can pick custom keyword URLs, it comes with its own API. You will love it.
Key Features.
Public (everybody can create short links) or private (your links only)
Sequential or custom URL keyword
Handy bookmarking tool to easily shorten and share links
Awesome stats: historical click reports, referrers tracking, visitors geolocation
Neat AJAXed interface
Cool developer API
Friendly installer.
Plugins 190 plugins currently.
Themes Customize how YOURLS looks.
Translations YOURLS in your language.
One that RSH Web offers for free with all its Hosting Packages.
And with Softaculous you can install with just a few clicks.
Or RSH Web will gladly install it for you.
YOURLS Demo.
YOURLS Screen Shot.
• WordPress URL Shortening Plugins
URL Shortify
URL Shortify helps you beautify, manage, and share any URL on or off of your WordPress website. Create links that look how you want using your domain name! It’s a Simple, Easy & Elegant self hosted alternative to Bitly, TinyURL, Cuttly, Pretty Links
URL Params
The URL Params WordPress Plugin allows you to access URL parameters in the Query String of the URL. The plugin even allows you to specify a default value in the shortcode if the parameter isn’t set
URL Shortener by MyThemeShop
If you are tired of using 3rd party tools to shorten your website’s long, boring URLs, and want to use your own domain to do it – MTS URL Shortener is just the thing you need.
Short URL
We have built a new plugin URL Shortify and encourage everyone to migrate to this plugin. As we will not maintain this plugin further and all the active development will take place on URL Shortify.
Basic URL ShortCodes
Sometimes you want to put the base URL (that of the blog, or that of the active template) in your content editor. Times when the template customising isn’t quite flexible enough. With this plugin you can use [home_url] to output the base URL of the blog
Bitly URL Shortener
Bitly URL Shortener (Previously Codehaveli Bitly URL Shortener) uses the functionality of Bitly API to generate bitly short link automatically from your WordPress Dashboard when you publish new post.
WP URLs Shortener
This plugin adds ability to instantly create short link for your post, pages, categories, archieves, users, tags, custom taxonomies or custom post types or anything then stores it in the database, to make it easier for users to recall and share it with friends and readers
BetterLinks Shorten
BetterLinks brings you the chance to easily create, shorten and manage any URL to help you cross-promote your brands & products. With its aesthetic User Interface, you can shorten anything without breaking any sweat and track analytics to measure successful campaigns easily
WP Pocket URLs
WP Pocket URLs gives you the ability to shorten your long affiliate links and keep track of user clicks on each link. It can get geo information about the user that clicked the link, example: IP address, Country, Date and Time.
Summary
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, URL shortening tools have evolved from simple utilities into essential marketing and usability assets. By transforming complex links into clean, branded, and trackable URLs, they enhance user trust, improve engagement, and simplify sharing across every channel. When used strategically, these tools not only streamline communication but also provide measurable insights that support smarter growth and stronger online performance.
Author Bio: James Vance
A writer and composer hailing from SouthShire, England. With a love for crafting compelling content...
We’d really enjoy hearing from you. Feel free to share your thoughts, experiences, or any questions in the comments below.
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