# urldn

> urldn is a fast, lightweight URL shortener that turns long links into clean, shareable short URLs with built-in click tracking and analytics. It is designed for marketers, developers, and anyone who needs to share, manage, and monitor links at scale.

## What urldn does

urldn shortens any URL into a compact link (e.g. www.urldn.com/abc123) and tracks every click in real time. Users can create short links without signing up, or create a free account to manage links, view analytics, and organise links into campaigns. It is a direct alternative to Bitly, TinyURL, and Short.io.

Key capabilities:
- Instant URL shortening — no account required for basic use
- Real-time click analytics: total clicks, referral sources, countries, devices
- Custom slugs (e.g. www.urldn.com/my-campaign)
- Bulk link creation via API
- Link expiration dates and password protection
- QR code generation for every short link
- UTM parameter builder

## Who uses urldn

- Marketers tracking campaign performance across email, social, and ads
- Developers integrating link shortening into apps via the REST API
- Content creators sharing clean links on social media
- Businesses managing branded short links at scale

## Use cases

**Social media**: Shorten long product or article URLs before posting on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok. Short links look cleaner and improve click-through rates.

**Email campaigns**: Replace raw long URLs in newsletters with tracked short links to measure engagement per send.

**API integration**: Use the urldn REST API to programmatically create short links inside your app, CMS, or automation workflow.

**QR codes**: Generate a QR code from any short link for print materials, packaging, or events.

## Frequently asked questions

**Is urldn free?** Yes, the core URL shortener is free with no account required. A free account unlocks link history and basic analytics.

**Does urldn support custom domains?** Yes, paid plans allow users to use their own branded domain (e.g. go.yourbrand.com) instead of www.urldn.com.

**How long do short links last?** Short links created without an account are permanent by default. Authenticated users can set custom expiration dates.

**Is there an API?** Yes. The urldn REST API accepts a long URL and returns a short URL. API keys are available on the free tier with rate limits.

**What analytics does urldn track?** Click count, click timestamp, referrer URL, country, device type (mobile/desktop), and browser.

## Comparison with alternatives

urldn vs Bitly: urldn offers a generous free tier with no link limits on core shortening. Bitly restricts free users to 10 links/month as of 2024.

urldn vs TinyURL: urldn provides click tracking and analytics; TinyURL does not on its free tier.

urldn vs Short.io: urldn is simpler to set up with no required onboarding; Short.io targets enterprise teams.

## Pages

- [Home](https://www.urldn.com): Create a short link instantly, no account needed
- [Dashboard](https://www.urldn.com/dashboard): Manage and view analytics for all your links
- [API Docs](https://www.urldn.com/docs/api): REST API reference for developers
- [Pricing](https://www.urldn.com/pricing): Free, Pro, and Team plan comparison
- [Blog](https://www.urldn.com/blog): Guides on link tracking, UTM parameters, and digital marketing

## Technical notes

- Base URL: https://www.urldn.com
- Short link format: https://www.urldn.com/{slug} (alphanumeric, 6–8 characters by default)
- Redirects use HTTP 301 (permanent) or 302 (tracked) depending on settings
- Links resolve in under 50ms globally via CDN

## Contact and support

- Support: support@urldn.com
- Twitter / X: https://x.com/urldn_
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urldn_
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/urldn