Core Concepts

Before diving deeper into ShortyLink's features, it helps to understand the core concepts that make up the platform.

Links

A link is the fundamental unit in ShortyLink. When you create a link, you're essentially creating a redirect from a short, memorable URL to your destination URL.

Anatomy of a Link

• Short URL - The shortened link (e.g., shrtylnk.co/abc123)
• Destination URL - Where the link redirects to
• Alias - The customizable part after the domain (e.g., abc123)
• Metadata - Title, description, and tags for organization

Shortcodes & Aliases

A shortcode (or alias) is the unique identifier for your link. By default, ShortyLink generates a random shortcode, but you can customize it to something memorable.

Default Shortcodes

Automatically generated shortcodes are 7 characters long and use a mix of letters and numbers. They're guaranteed to be unique.

Custom Aliases

Custom aliases let you create branded, memorable links like:

• shrtylnk.co/my-product
• shrtylnk.co/spring-sale
• shrtylnk.co/conference-2024

Analytics

Every click on your links is tracked and analyzed. ShortyLink provides detailed analytics including:

• Click counts - Total and unique clicks
• Geographic data - Country, city, and region
• Device information - Browser, OS, and device type
• Referrers - Where clicks are coming from
• Time series - Click patterns over time

Custom Domains

Instead of using shrtylnk.co, you can connect your own domain to ShortyLink. This allows you to create branded links like:

• go.yourcompany.com/product
• link.yourbrand.io/sale

Custom domains require DNS configuration and SSL certificates, which ShortyLink handles automatically.

QR Codes

Every link can have an associated QR code. QR codes are useful for:

• Print materials (flyers, posters, business cards)
• Product packaging
• Event check-ins
• Contactless sharing

QR codes can be customized with colors, logos, and different styles.

Workspaces & Teams

For team collaboration, ShortyLink offers workspaces where multiple users can:

• Create and manage links together
• Share analytics and reports
• Assign roles and permissions
• Track team activity

Next Steps

Now that you understand the core concepts, learn how to use specific features: