How to create and use a Short Link

When to use a Short Link

Use a Short Link when every visitor should reach the same web destination. It gives you a clean LinkStack URL, optional campaign tags and expiration, a QR code, and click analytics without adding Smart Link routing.

• Use one for QR codes, email, SMS, ads, printed material, downloads, and one-off shares.
• Use separate Short Links for separate placements when you want clean campaign comparisons.
• Use a Smart Link instead when the destination should change by country, device, app, or affiliate storefront.
• Short Link clicks are tracked separately and do not use the optimized-click allowance reserved for Smart Links.

Create the Short Link

1. 1Open Dashboard, choose Links, then open the Short Links tab.
2. 2Click Create Short Link.
3. 3Paste the complete http or https destination every visitor should reach.
4. 4Review the generated LinkStack URL and add a clear internal title.
5. 5Keep the generated ending or choose an available custom ending with 3 to 64 lowercase letters, numbers, or hyphens.
6. 6Add an internal description if teammates will need context later.
7. 7Click Create Short Link. LinkStack copies the new URL when the browser allows it and opens the link detail.

Add campaign details only when useful

• Add UTM source, medium, and campaign when the destination analytics need campaign attribution.
• Use UTM content for placements or creative variations and UTM term mainly for paid keywords.
• Set an expiration date for a time-limited offer, event, or handout. Without one, the link stays live until you pause or archive it.
• The public ending cannot be changed after creation. The title, description, destination, status, expiration, and UTM values can be edited later.
• Check the final destination preview before saving so existing query parameters and new campaign tags look right together.

Use the QR code

1. 1Open the saved Short Link.
2. 2Find the QR code section.
3. 3Open the QR preview or copy the QR image.
4. 4Download PNG for everyday graphics or SVG when a designer or printer needs a scalable file.
5. 5Scan the finished QR code from another device before publishing or printing it.
6. 6Keep using the LinkStack-generated QR code so scans carry QR attribution into Short Link analytics.

Test before sharing

1. 1Click Test Short Link from the edit view.
2. 2Confirm the browser reaches the exact destination you expected.
3. 3Check the final URL for the intended UTM values and existing affiliate or destination parameters.
4. 4Test once on mobile if the link will mostly be tapped from a phone.
5. 5Scan the QR code separately when you plan to use it; a copied link test does not verify the printed QR path.
6. 6Fix the destination before distributing the link widely. The destination can change later, but already-printed context cannot.

Read the Short Link analytics

• Open the Short Link and choose Short Link analytics.
• Short link clicks over time shows traffic for the selected range.
• QR clicks separate scans carrying QR attribution from normal taps.
• Country, city, device, platform, browser, referrer, and campaign breakdowns show who used the link and where the traffic came from when that data is available.
• Use separate links for separate placements if you need a clean comparison between email, SMS, ads, social posts, or print.

Edit, pause, or archive it

• Edit the destination when the same shared Short Link should lead somewhere new.
• Turn Link is live off when you need a temporary pause.
• Archive old campaigns to remove them from the active list while keeping their analytics.
• Expired, paused, or archived Short Links show a status page instead of redirecting.
• Never archive or repoint a link without checking where it is still published.