{"id":2396,"date":"2022-09-19T08:03:40","date_gmt":"2022-09-19T08:03:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/?p=2396"},"modified":"2022-09-19T08:03:42","modified_gmt":"2022-09-19T08:03:42","slug":"url-shortener-tutorial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/url-shortener-tutorial\/","title":{"rendered":"URL Shortener Tutorial: How to Create Generic and Branded Links"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/url-shortener-tutorial\/#The_Difference_Between_Generic_and_Branded_Links\" >The Difference Between Generic and Branded Links&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/url-shortener-tutorial\/#Generic_Links\" >Generic Links<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/url-shortener-tutorial\/#Branded_Links\" >Branded Links<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/url-shortener-tutorial\/#How_to_Generate_Generic_Links_with_Pixelfys_Fast_Shortener_Tool\" >How to Generate Generic Links with Pixelfy\u2019s Fast Shortener Tool?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/url-shortener-tutorial\/#How_to_Generate_Generic_Links_with_Pixelfys_Chrome_Extension\" >How to Generate Generic Links with Pixelfy\u2019s Chrome Extension?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/url-shortener-tutorial\/#How_to_Generate_Branded_Links_with_Pixelfys_Chrome_Extension\" >How to Generate Branded Links with Pixelfy\u2019s Chrome Extension?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/url-shortener-tutorial\/#How_to_Generate_Branded_Links_with_Pixelfys_Any_URL_Shortener\" >How to Generate Branded Links with Pixelfy\u2019s Any URL Shortener?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/url-shortener-tutorial\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\" >Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/url-shortener-tutorial\/#How_Does_a_URL_Shortener_Service_work\" >How Does a URL Shortener Service work?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/url-shortener-tutorial\/#Why_Do_We_Need_URL_Shorteners\" >Why Do We Need URL Shorteners?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/url-shortener-tutorial\/#What_Does_URL_Stand_for\" >What Does URL Stand for?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/url-shortener-tutorial\/#What_is_Link_Swapping\" >What is Link Swapping?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/url-shortener-tutorial\/#What_is_Deep_Linking\" >What is Deep Linking?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/url-shortener-tutorial\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>In this URL shortener, we\u2019ll provide all the details you need to generate both <strong>generic<\/strong> and <strong>branded shortened links<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Branded links <\/strong>can be difficult to customize at first and it\u2019s important to learn how to track them properly as well.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll also cover the differences between generic and branded links, and where they should be used respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center has-text-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#e2fcff;color:#292d34\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-heading\">Quick Summary<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>In this tutorial post, we will discuss:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The difference between generic and branded links&nbsp;<\/li><li>How to generate generic links with Pixelfy\u2019s Fast Shortener tool&nbsp;<\/li><li>How to generate generic links with Pixelfy\u2019s Chrome Extension&nbsp;<\/li><li>How to generate branded links with Pixelfy\u2019s Chrome Extension&nbsp;<\/li><li>How to generate branded links with Pixelfy\u2019s Any URL Shortener<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So without further ado, let\u2019s get into it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Difference_Between_Generic_and_Branded_Links\"><\/span>The Difference Between Generic and Branded Links&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we get into how to use URL shorteners, it\u2019s important for you to know that there are <strong>two types <\/strong>of shortened URLs that you can generate and use.<strong> These two types are:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Generic links&nbsp;<\/li><li>Branded or custom links&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Generic_Links\"><\/span>Generic Links<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Generic links <\/strong>are easier to obtain and most generic URL shorteners are free to use. When you create generic links, they contain the branding of whatever URL shortener tool you used to generate them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All generic links generated by the same URL shortener tool look very similar since they have the same domain. This is why they\u2019re referred to as generic links.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can probably imagine, generic links have quickly fallen out of favor with digital marketers, brand owners and anyone who wants to promote something. This is because they advertise the URL shortener\u2019s brand rather than your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Branded_Links\"><\/span>Branded Links<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Branded links <\/strong>or <strong>custom links <\/strong>can be customized to contain your branding rather than the branding of the URL shortener tool that you use. This can give flair to your shortened links, and they can do a great job of representing your brand within your marketing content.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Branded links require a bit more work and planning to generate, and <strong>most URL shorteners<\/strong> require you to pay before you can generate them. Although, there do exist some services out there that allow you to generate branded links free of cost.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center has-text-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#e2ffee;color:#292d34\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong><em>Custom URL shorteners <\/em><\/strong><em>work by connecting a custom domain. This custom domain will be used to generate your customized shortened links.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>It\u2019s important to note that you must register this custom domain with a web domain registrar first and make it live with the help of a web hosting service.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Once these two steps are done, you can connect the custom domain to the URL shortener service of your choice. Now, you can generate branded links that can be used within all of your promotional content.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The <\/em><strong><em>name <\/em><\/strong><em>of your custom domain should be either the name of your brand or some type of abbreviation that best represents it.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The latter part of the customized link (the part after the forward slash) will usually have a word or two that will represent what the link is about. Such branded links could have a number of purposes, such as in social media posts or videos on any online video platform.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>For example, <\/em><\/strong><em>if a branded link leads to a new product that you\u2019ve released, you can name the latter part of the customized link after that particular product.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Generate_Generic_Links_with_Pixelfys_Fast_Shortener_Tool\"><\/span>How to Generate Generic Links with Pixelfy\u2019s Fast Shortener Tool?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It should be noted that before you can use any of <a href=\"http:\/\/pixelfy.me\">Pixelfy<\/a>\u2019s tools, you\u2019ll need to register an account and log in.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Follow these steps to generate a generic shortened link within seconds:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 1: <\/strong>Once you log in, you\u2019ll be greeted with Pixelfy\u2019s dashboard page. From here, you have access to all of the tools and features that Pixelfy has to offer. If you\u2019d like to see all of them, you can click on \u201cAll tools\u201d in the left-hand side toolbar.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For now, turn your attention to the <strong>Fast Shortener <\/strong>box present at the top of the dashboard page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/C6rQeQw12PIqJQeg_x8Ble4DI6_JiA4Oyh7nIw5Wo5QWs4mrWeBmwr89oIS42DALW7vCfk_qsY7DchsyBR5gHFo4z98s2vKpRGcrr4PfoTrPqrgQkXUYc71in9PlkgDslofwjaSy8t_sIKvmR6tBphChNXwrq6tC0xNRjLndxlkO-1mqNhceo81TFQ\" alt=\"url shortener\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 2: <\/strong>To generate a shortened generic link, you must first copy your <strong>destination URL. <\/strong>This is the original long URL that you\u2019d like to shorten.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paste it into the Fast Shortener box. As soon as you paste it, the page should load and direct you to another one. If you don\u2019t get redirected, click on the <strong>Shorten <\/strong>button to redirect yourself manually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/JDHLMQod4kU-V7HGSn9ahCjagAmC2OZCCadePeDMjDJ3Df5H7edi63j0V55LPgkXKSrSI5twHQLH6ARKAMtTK-2Kr0kEd55WG5BN11rHUej95i3VQVtjN4Irs-MsR2pFiUGoQT5E81R5uCiqhrmUz5hSNTenrM6RVi_VCIOq7oX7G3JjxaHb8t3zug\" alt=\"url shortener dashboard\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 3: <\/strong>The next page will provide you with the shortened generic link that you can make use of. Please note that we do not recommend that you use such generic links for marketing purposes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The purpose of the Fast shortener is to provide you with quick generic links for immediate personal use or use for employees within your brand.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should also note that you get a QR code for the shortened link as well. You can get it by clicking on <strong>Download QR code. <\/strong>Pixelfy automatically generates QR codes for all the links that it shortens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/Jxq0ZkUT2DATX3TLW6pqOlUteevlH9x9vFsafba58ZZpAeMZgKBavkUvzXJH_pApGNnb4ZaiLdVDffuZKwJEJSC69ATZh_TEYreYC5bnH_x0VPfaVK_8b6rocM7kW8dA7ZMRZ2hx_S9zD5iptuAyZna-UbzzeCGciczX528lxbC-isyUo4-NhwEaYQ\" alt=\"pixelfy.me dashboard\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Generate_Generic_Links_with_Pixelfys_Chrome_Extension\"><\/span>How to Generate Generic Links with Pixelfy\u2019s Chrome Extension?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Naturally, to use the Chrome extension for Pixelfy to generate a shortened link, you must first download it from the <a href=\"https:\/\/chrome.google.com\/webstore\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Chrome Web Store<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Go ahead and search for \u201cPixelfy,\u201d and you should see the <a href=\"https:\/\/chrome.google.com\/webstore\/detail\/pixelfy-link-shortener-cu\/ebejepmaahpghmckjcggphkegcpekgcp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pixelfy Chrome extension<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/AAy-zqhI_arMVYGL-a8lYhEVdY1eq9hBerTSm68SAi99yFXldJdqKrhuzi3kKFt5ipVJ1ZHrZB1Q6Zlo53qudblEoZ16IG3qceAdyo6gcUcYBlwebEk8CerQ0s6jDajScyXTCFElmqIXsTxQGpNqpUZxe87p_n4OdEhGrMdZHnrXMcJm4kC-dAoRAQ\" alt=\"add to chrome\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 1: <\/strong>After you download it, make sure that it is enabled within your Google Chrome browser.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can check this by looking at the right of your URL address bar at the top. If you see Pixelfy\u2019s icon, that means it\u2019s enabled.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 2: <\/strong>If you don\u2019t see it, that means the extension is not enabled. You can enable it by going to your extension settings and <strong>turning it on<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To go to your extension settings, simply type \u201cchrome:\/\/extensions\u201d in your URL address bar and press Enter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/nVfJPlSH9VvCs_2-EKtkUb9n3BQ1GPs7MFK2MCDuJeTznuuPxeVCnB15slFr227_cA7xxZp__DwSEditn8ED_Exwhi9y0nARozP_2w1Bal0gtD1JdDsizlT7gdA4HyMu3v-UcUcsmVzmPuWvWoxDRIlTr7Q9hZcPZxxoN47O8i7dlS-jLl2kPDFD6A\" alt=\"chrome extension\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 2: <\/strong>After that, once the extension is enabled, use your Chrome browser to navigate to the destination URL you\u2019d like to shorten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 3: <\/strong>After navigating to the page, click on the <strong>Pixelfy Chrome extension icon <\/strong>on the right-hand side of the URL address bar.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/XI2f7Gx4WEAbTvTZkisRDxDneMBphITGgDV-QXpttseRMCoHHzcZOQUuDTtA01pIJhqleIvAgZceh0ZoJozWF_mUvQO9RsFgTQ0S2X320f5PUeMCs0z0iyO97iqV6OHRVl0-qHnk4zr3gfCUzD6eIrnTY3UaOhh3o6pFIHy1hWGg5vyXYWKe9B_O7Q\" alt=\"url \"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 4: <\/strong>You\u2019ll get the option to shorten the link as well as some other options such as titling it and adding <strong>link tags <\/strong>so you can easily identify it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also make it part of a running marketing campaign that you may have established within your Pixelfy account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/wX4FIdsGjfo_xU-xUxiVUpBxPTaawAoorE6yip4VxQt7HiFdyXYuoY8jKhLD5Q45NK19JlaNp-JI9p0-4UldGgcQ8m2KS-zN_NPwUgBroYHg33yPD0g-RPXf5m214O1QU-g1qirgAWwf57oD1AbMIIQ9cI5IUtxsFPKsc1CMNJ9RoLJZZHBvvuT-ag\" alt=\"pixelfy url shortener\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 5: <\/strong>After you are satisfied with the settings, click on the <strong>Save changes <\/strong>and then, click on <strong>Shorten. <\/strong>You will receive the shortened URL that you can copy and utilize anywhere you want.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Generate_Branded_Links_with_Pixelfys_Chrome_Extension\"><\/span>How to Generate Branded Links with Pixelfy\u2019s Chrome Extension?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To generate branded links with the Pixelfy Chrome extension, you must first have a <strong>custom domain <\/strong>linked to your Pixelfy account.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Follow the instructions below to connect a custom domain to your Pixelfy account:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 1: <\/strong>Navigate to the dashboard page and click \u201cCustom domains\u201d from the left-hand side toolbar.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/p60tncacwyps97-uWTNrRgRdrujQQ0-1MZH7XMYfrf23UpOAgWv0PsFv95-UKs3ZRZ7f1aLsBYpf8Of_cCzdiTmE445CQTowovRXlvd6dDMwDG1L_6eoXxJC_ISrjPBH492hqVmIjmV9_jjaRKUyDre4APMs2SvBkeBqPQg7n2fQuKk9zypHMmNccg\" alt=\"custom domains\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 2: <\/strong>If this is your first time connecting a custom domain to Pixelfy, you\u2019ll be greeted with a brief introduction to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/vzCtuqZ3FbzLUNtcRGE_YI-3fOG2yt-jdDdztvak4ynV0h_X1eAZ3wCdDT_7dQlldFbyxKb67PU9EZFIJdecRkNkinDjcBKyujfn5OB5VYZ22-gMsTR3VgM9NpyrIAs25x_KbbO6YTBNEaYjkREdSM4VXXRjDqz_rNlD2K-JqPBndW_GC1InC5-Lyg\" alt=\"custom domains dashboard\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 3: <\/strong>Next, you\u2019ll be prompted to enter the custom domain. Please note that you must\u2019ve registered said domain with a web domain registrar and that it should also be live with the help of a web hosting service. Only then can you connect it with Pixelfy or any other URL shortener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/rQESsySmesVBpgzIvazKYVcuhEU4bJ4MvmqdqMmrPiMgnwWJ7dlJKeIA2tqPbCkEFTJfweRcegxQTjzT8qSqnxuih0yOAmiL7rVtHQCXDFIqvofcplZNX8D_gbQ1yJ5Wv0mCPLeQBYuMu-tG9KRaYGbxTcUZZRIuU__HCaoumO5Cv0Civ2w06OpNiA\" alt=\"connect my own domain\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 4: <\/strong>Once you enter your custom domain and click \u201cNext\u201d, you\u2019ll be asked whether or not the domain already has content published on it or not.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/YZ8d_3yAreqOxm2FjIigT6iHg2gwJ3dRQ5mmMfzW7ij0rt3YdUELYBcUJf9ykf-mSFA8r5fFjOwit5uq1sbUkdFNB_YYp4AzBeqC4hUUcp0pHUbFJc8Y_4PBEs0JwVKaebbu0wcZdbCU5wwvTNXXExyVZECbSFSISvowMfnAonPotb7NOWkU_fh7uA\" alt=\"enter domain name\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 5: <\/strong>If you have not published anything on the custom domain yet, go ahead and select \u201cNo\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/I2kx-a3CrErFDz1y7tCKurFmaWDpEvNEruJHkT3Mq-sFEFPDjU520rm_y2S4kdihx4cH7M4_6zkgbdXRq2rPzwzgLkOAIDyRBfoCFFAlzkOcxe87TGMnUgEyFYsI-kCh1fa-h-MJ_iU2heYxn5npi9MBdDUV9qPoiA2iakeKqrslneyGae1qxSHvYg\" alt=\"warning\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 6: <\/strong>After that, all you need to do is click on \u201cAdd Domain\u201d and your custom domain will now be available for use to create <strong>branded links <\/strong>with Pixelfy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/zu_scVhnXUBONnJCrV-Wtk2Tr1ickGFIHbLUsAGnypmNaQOWfkCKbQLYMgdOgUPqb_r8n9vfntJ_UA01013Syi8WW9udxmKBmJsoRePHSVI5D7a3fgc28DDPTjy-nWL4LqQUEqV2AQJO7qi3KJaQzNhQbuadeN1LnU_rdlY8c5ZXQw5DnmRX7tQ0Pw\" alt=\"how to connect custom domain\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 7: <\/strong>On the other hand, if you do have content published on the domain, you can click \u201cYes\u201d. In this case, you\u2019ll be met with a warning message that states you cannot use this as a custom domain since it has content published on it. In this case, you\u2019ll have to add a <strong>subdomain.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/43ri-w4nSd8m1aVYvV0CGgs9nFbO7W894BtgiEmqV7_iUTXPNpnEqRSFRRLKNxOgilEsUP2n1uJQfIThjkKIFC8tEW__2zOcNTEu0o0W-xWEWM900kUbCCNnPxRTQnNDKBJ9YI1IA3SdiTjgevlQ1PCfFpa9503E6JzqHrgxs7N-7UihwhaA1uYz_Q\" alt=\"warning\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 8: <\/strong>In this case, click on \u201cAdd subdomain\u201d and you\u2019ll be prompted to enter the subdomain you want to connect. Go ahead and type it accordingly and click on \u201cSubmit\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/ZSLpXWXwB4PrTgTGct4E9loCKAYd-Y76ofdc5bomLO35F7d-slPPaRUJnU4xnAF7jJFp4Wt7C-HLdXgl0bH5TR3OwyBoNVHU3zV3MaO_INSa3mGSYfFBzhyHUyotB2yYNo1sHfrEU-Zi5jakDfgEYt_zhyQhi_Q5RJTuIGBjpNU6FNJVMVQxw18k9Q\" alt=\"enter subdomain\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once that\u2019s done, your <strong>domain <\/strong>or <strong>subdomain <\/strong>will be ready to use to generate branded links. You can use these in many different parts of Pixelfy such as the Chrome extension as well as the Any URL Shortener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center has-text-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#e2ffee;color:#292d34\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>When it comes to generating branded links with the Pixelfy Chrome extension, the steps are pretty much the same as for generic ones.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>However, when you are tinkering with the settings, you can choose the links to have a custom domain. Naturally, you\u2019ll be given the options from the custom domains that you have connected.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>As long as you have connected the appropriate domain or subdomain, it will be available for you to use within these settings.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/cHJPIGO2j4iD6KLqaAB1SmBNc2ea-HCMHd5vOS-QolPkuuq2F1rwrDx1hb3SyJTlW_JXMd3STumneI4rVH0WOh_SAe4e27kuJDCmCrSMonVJv6l3d70v6wBLgwdiCbFKtS2_hCpdi685tS0rSKhIaNgkZ_1Ex6_CYU8nma20vAh6bmC144Z8ZDCzHQ\" alt=\"pixelfy\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Generate_Branded_Links_with_Pixelfys_Any_URL_Shortener\"><\/span>How to Generate Branded Links with Pixelfy\u2019s Any URL Shortener?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So far, we\u2019ve provided you with the uses for the Fast Shortener and Chrome extension tools for Pixelfy. While they are useful and quick, they don\u2019t offer the entirety of customization and features that Pixelfy has to offer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To get the full scale of features, you must use the <strong>Any URL Shortener <\/strong>tool within Pixelfy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The branded URLs that you will generate with this tool can be used for a variety of purposes such as:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Redirecting click-through traffic&nbsp;<\/li><li>Email newsletters<\/li><li>Social media posts<\/li><li>Blogs<\/li><li>Print media<\/li><li>Meta descriptions&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Here\u2019s how to use the Any URL Shortener to generate branded links:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 1: <\/strong>On the dashboard page for Pixelfy, click on \u201cAll tools\u201d on the left-hand side toolbar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/aKf70hKBbWfZXnFV7dH4LL5qyLaoyiGrNLy0-O2W66WY2gzM7mavZZGVHhUgqGh-lwpGESL3dNzNVLrbAS-8kYRyGBNH8l_jeSPUGaAUAXZ1cnAD9McHCxF4EFKQ2u4pgga0bTuPLdvxgz1LxzK7ppLIRETsNirASPR9N4b9Z2KhXcmvL8jKrGQIOQ\" alt=\"all tools\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 2: <\/strong>After that, click on <a href=\"https:\/\/app.pixelfy.me\/tracking-links\/any-url\"><strong>URL Shortener<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/F_4wqtL0US2y2aNc6jwf-L2AChKGSEyvmVfh3LXy-6Xt-kard5umSlbekZNqysJw7zHWSzohvCoDxun52x4EwX0Nvxj6b_GPnU0RwEWtE7Y_OInGnb35meCPfDI7ZQ3-3Wy6jaadJ9kET_nIbcoHsPWf87fRxBp4tL5EsfIN2MSGigPn6TeL8s0DLQ\" alt=\"url shortener\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 3: <\/strong>Once you navigate to the Any URL Shortener\u2019s page, you can immediately see that it has a lot more options for customization compared to the Fast Shortener tool and the Chrome extension.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though the Any URL Shortener is a lot more thorough, you can still also use it in the same way as you would the Fast Shortener tool.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019d like to quickly generate a shortened generic link, you can do so by entering the destination URL and the link title. Click on <strong>\u201cGenerate\u201d <\/strong>and this will produce a shortened generic link within seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/09w_a8mj3T6CaZMaiuaT84fsqZxhXxD-J3JmV7Ji-CsT-TtDz0AUb_XgvhHWQbSTaGis4NpdjVWqnJDNIjForb-b7cGtEfR_pA_Qn2lg5iBhRWraAtSJHzNFDqVev0bSkU6rdou4wbGU548rh7OtxENpD0rbNrriapuqf98UZXEmgOIJwNHa1sFisg\" alt=\"destination url\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also go back to links you created in the past and tinker with their settings according to your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 4: <\/strong>Generic links are all fine but we\u2019re here for the good stuff: branded links.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only can you create branded links but you can also use the Any URL Shortener\u2019s <strong>link tags <\/strong>to easily identify them as well. This can help you organize and sort different branded links according to different categories.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/P8dbJD3Xjzy0XET3rjktmlw4LgGlur5NHPPvulhaXnelOaPTSw14SlpOG3CHZSdOpQ1J8e2IIOXMChCrvDXKfhypkgXFv5JmvdaWzcQWC-iEnFMs9EIoWCFv0fNvj_7lcif7eZPiFiqil3jjNNseBHdzH_yQPYCO1o3_-4-hDhIYqALMppzlnZPnlg\" alt=\"tags\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 5: <\/strong>Please note that in order to use your custom domain or subdomain, you must still have it connected to Pixelfy first. The steps to connect a custom domain or subdomain are provided in the \u201cHow to Generate Branded Links with Pixelfy\u2019s Chrome Extension\u201d section above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Click on <strong>\u201cShow advanced options\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/w5CWszR_DwLiqHlDVr2Zk-kpiXM96vxiFrow7G46TfdXIyrJqa4vZRH7Od9ey3QzqRdHa9L5zIebNMrGnqWz7RG5WTUCx7znKB9p__hcXQZbsrbjV6QBcaaI83ChrycTUVKXreIjAlVXlZ3lpK4_PyyEcn_REghMHy5-sZutXr5W6iDFqek7YPhySw\" alt=\"advanced options\n\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 6: <\/strong>You\u2019ll see a drop-down menu and if you\u2019ve successfully connected a domain or subdomain, this will be available here for you to choose.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Go ahead and select the domain or subdomain that you\u2019d like to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/oFy3hI0JT4LowpbB_sjLmagCVgUfSD66QmgjdhFf9B_TB2jEGlFQG2LjraXwS5V_OO-C4Xurn-sC5gJbZqpwwASH5eQSFdMn9-na7IIF9LOA57SpmzXOc6h0Jeonv9haCy5J2Mr0UneyVxYzRIsIlFbs9HtWh6WZROLYbJXlCgZAa_B5-C1tL8DpBg\" alt=\"select domain\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 7: <\/strong>Once it\u2019s selected, you\u2019ll have your <strong>branded link<\/strong>. The first section will be the domain or subdomain. As for the second section, it\u2019s up to you how you want to customize it and what you want to add to it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most brands typically use the second part of a branded link to communicate to readers what the link is about. If your shortened link is about a certain service, go ahead and add that service\u2019s name to the latter part of the branded link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/0qWTHvEik1lRSa4YX1H1if0vcx4MOjSYSYiChuCEfOpjvYQqVN5NiNIvgz8z0J5JrduTxt1IUfH8eLbBXq3fWdw2mVZv1rJYbOydQogeVPIKGoRpva1rkH35NgHkSxMLWikISRaJ_LUsxtugB_0PkV9hmBdUQPNH-0TpE0ih3wk3s1Y27Bp_X-MH3Q\" alt=\"slug\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 8: <\/strong>If you\u2019d like to adjust any other settings, you can do so in <strong>Advanced Options<\/strong>. Once you\u2019re satisfied, go ahead and click on <strong>\u201cGenerate\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/2rDgMBfZTAc3rk8zeXT4ygCfwFBHp2PLIDvn5z7mVBQ7jqm4MhXFP0CuCu1pOFgIzP3N9YFNorAvy2SmmYdar0t88M10iDtH2bF2V6db0jKDCSUiXVPsLLGFC96DGmORygCyZ-9qxTr6D9prI0Qt7usNwOhdfe75QVezaXWTvT3C1NBnktAuEYErLw\" alt=\"advanced options\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_a_URL_Shortener_Service_work\"><\/span>How Does a URL Shortener Service work?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A URL shortener service works by taking a <strong>destination URL <\/strong>as an input. It generates a shortened link that is essentially a redirect link to the destination URL.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since that shortened link is much neater and leads to the same web page, it can now be used instead of the original destination URL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Do_We_Need_URL_Shorteners\"><\/span>Why Do We Need URL Shorteners?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>URL shorteners are useful for a variety of reasons. Most obviously, shorter links look neater and are easier to memorize.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, brands use them for branding and they can also be used to track performance and serve retargeted ads to potential customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Does_URL_Stand_for\"><\/span>What Does URL Stand for?&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>URL stands for <strong>Uniform Resource Locator.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_Link_Swapping\"><\/span>What is Link Swapping?&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Link swapping <\/strong>refers to changing the destination URL for a shortened link.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is useful if you\u2019ve posted a shortened link to many different channels but now, you\u2019d like to change what web page that shortened link leads to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_Deep_Linking\"><\/span>What is Deep Linking?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Deep linking <\/strong>refers to when a user clicks on your link, they are taken dynamically to an in-app page rather than a page in their web browser.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This allows for a more streamlined user experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>URL shorteners may seem daunting to use at first but it really doesn\u2019t take too long to get used to them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you understand how they work, you can begin to explore how they can help you push your brand forward through link tracking, retargeting, rotation, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any questions, feel free to reach out in the comments below.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this URL shortener, we\u2019ll provide all the details you need to generate both generic and branded shortened links.&nbsp; Branded links can be difficult to customize at first and it\u2019s&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2397,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[707,708],"tags":[764,765,766,767,768],"class_list":["post-2396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-url-shortener","category-guide","tag-the-difference-between-generic-and-branded-links","tag-how-to-generate-generic-links-with-pixelfys-fast-shortener-tool","tag-how-to-generate-generic-links-with-pixelfys-chrome-extension","tag-how-to-generate-branded-links-with-pixelfys-chrome-extension","tag-how-to-generate-branded-links-with-pixelfys-any-url-shortener"],"acf":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2396"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2396\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2428,"href":"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2396\/revisions\/2428"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2397"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pixelfy.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}