> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.linkpod.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create Short Links

> Create a Short Link (short URL), update where it redirects, and share it with tracking, scheduling, and targeting options.

A **Short Link** in Linkpod is a short URL that redirects visitors to a destination (**Long URL**).

You create and manage Short Links from the **Links** screen.

## Create a Short Link

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Links and start a new Short Link">
    1. Sign in to your Linkpod dashboard.
    2. Go to **Links**.
    3. Select **Create**.
    4. Choose **Short Link**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the destination (Long URL)">
    In the Short Link create modal, enter your **Long URL** (the URL you want to redirect to).

    <Note>
      The Long URL must include the protocol (for example, <code>https\://</code>).
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose your Short Link URL (and optional domain)">
    In the same modal:

    * Choose a **domain** (if you have domains available).
    * Enter a **Short URL** (slug) if your plan allows custom URLs.

    Then select **Create**.

    <Note>
      If you leave the Short URL empty (or your plan doesn’t allow custom URLs), Linkpod generates a random slug automatically.
    </Note>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Bulk create Short Links (optional)

If your plan supports bulk creation, you can create many Short Links at once.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the bulk Short Link creator">
    1. Go to **Links**.
    2. Filter to **Short Links** (type filter).
    3. Select the **bulk create** icon (it looks like an upload arrow).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste multiple Long URLs">
    1. Turn on **Bulk**.
    2. Paste **one destination URL per line**.
    3. Select **Create**.

    <Note>
      When Bulk is enabled, Linkpod disables the Short URL field and generates slugs automatically.
    </Note>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Edit a Short Link

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open your Short Link settings">
    1. Go to **Links**.
    2. Find the Short Link you want to update.
    3. Select **Edit**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update the destination or Short URL">
    In **Settings**, you can change:

    * **Long URL**: where the Short Link redirects.
    * **Domain** and **Short URL** (slug): the visible link visitors will click.

    <Note>
      If you change the domain or slug, the old short URL will stop working.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Turn a Short Link on or off">
    You can disable a Short Link without deleting it.

    * Use the **active** toggle in the Links list, or
    * Use the **active** toggle on the Short Link page.

    Disabled links show a “not found” page to visitors.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Short Link settings (what they do)

Exact options depend on your plan and enabled features, but Short Links can support the following.

### App linking (auto open apps on mobile)

If enabled, Linkpod can detect certain supported app links and redirect mobile visitors using platform-specific deep links:

* iOS visitors can be redirected to an iOS deep link.
* Android visitors can be redirected to an Android deep link.

This is controlled by the **App linking** toggle.

### Pixels

If Pixels are enabled on your account, you can attach one or more pixels to a Short Link.

When pixels are attached, Linkpod may use an intermediate redirect page to load the pixel(s) before sending the visitor to the destination.

### Scheduling, click limits, and expiration

If enabled, you can make a link temporary:

* **Schedule**: set a start and end date/time.
* **Clicks limit**: stop the link after it reaches a click count.
* **Expiration URL**: where visitors go once the link is expired.

If a link is expired and you **don’t** set an Expiration URL, visitors see a “not found” page.

### UTM parameters

If enabled, you can set default UTM parameters for this Short Link:

* <code>utm\_source</code>
* <code>utm\_medium</code>
* <code>utm\_campaign</code>

Linkpod appends these parameters when redirecting.

### Protection

Depending on your plan, you can protect Short Links using:

* **Password protection** (visitors must enter a password)
* **Sensitive content** (visitors must confirm they want to proceed)

### Targeting

If targeting is enabled, you can redirect visitors to different destinations based on conditions like:

* Continent, country, or city
* Device type
* Operating system
* Browser
* Browser language
* Rotation (split traffic by percentage)

### Cloaking (optional)

Cloaking displays the destination inside an embedded page while keeping the Short Link visible in the browser.

<Note>
  Cloaking only works for websites that allow being embedded in an iframe.
</Note>

### Redirect type (HTTP status code)

Your Short Link can redirect using one of these status codes:

* **301**: Permanent redirect
* **302**: Temporary redirect
* **307**: Temporary redirect (method preserved)
* **308**: Permanent redirect (method preserved)

### Advanced

Depending on what’s enabled, you may also see:

* **Projects**: assign the link to a project for organization.
* **Splash page**: show a splash/interstitial page before redirecting.
* **Forward query parameters**: pass query parameters from the Short Link to the destination.

## Use a Short Link

### Copy and share

You can copy the full Short Link URL from:

* The **copy** button in the Links list, or
* The **copy** button on the Short Link page.

Then paste it anywhere you share links (social posts, emails, bios, QR codes, etc.).

### View statistics

To see how a Short Link is performing:

1. Go to **Links**.
2. Select the link.
3. Open the **Statistics** tab.

If your plan includes statistics, you can view performance breakdowns (for example, referrers, device types, countries, UTM parameters) and export data.

### Create a QR code for a Short Link (optional)

If QR Codes are enabled:

1. Go to **Links**.
2. Open the link’s menu (the three dots).
3. Select **Create QR code**.

This starts a QR code pre-filled with your Short Link.

## Troubleshooting

### My Short URL is rejected or won’t save

Common reasons include:

* The slug is already in use on the selected domain.
* The slug is reserved by Linkpod (used for system routes) or is blocked by keyword rules.
* The slug is shorter/longer than your plan allows.

### My Long URL is rejected

* Make sure it includes <code>https\://</code> (or <code>http\://</code>).
* If your plan doesn’t allow deep links, only <code>http</code> and <code>https</code> destinations are allowed.