How do I use my own domain for short links?
Put short links on a domain you own — like go.yourbrand.com — instead of a shared one. Here's how connecting a custom domain works, step by step, and what to pick.
Shortlen Editorial · · 3 min read
The short answer
To put short links on your own domain, you pick a domain or subdomain (a short one like go.yourbrand.com works well), add the DNS record your shortener gives you so the name points at its service, and verify ownership. The shortener then issues an HTTPS certificate, and new short links use your domain instead of a shared one. On Shortlen a custom domain is included from the Free plan up.
Key points
- A custom domain means your short links read as your brand — go.yourbrand.com/sale — instead of a shared domain shared with strangers.
- A subdomain you aren't already using (like go. or link.) is the usual choice, so it doesn't clash with your main website.
- Setup is three steps: add a DNS record the shortener gives you, verify the domain, and let it turn on HTTPS.
- The shortener provides the exact record to add; you don't have to guess it — follow the setup screen or ask support.
- On Shortlen a custom domain is part of every plan, with more domains on the higher plans — see pricing for how many.
On this page
Using your own domain for short links means the links you share start with a name you control — go.yourbrand.com/spring instead of a domain shared with everyone else’s links. That one change is what turns a short link into a branded link: people can see whose link it is before they click. Here’s how connecting one works.
Step 1: pick the domain or subdomain
Most people don’t use their main website address (like yourbrand.com) for short links, because that name is already busy serving the website itself. Instead they use a subdomain — a prefix on the front, such as go., link. or l. — giving something like go.yourbrand.com. It’s short, it’s clearly yours, and it stays out of the way of your main site. If you’d rather, you can register a separate short domain just for links; either way, keep it brief, since the whole point is a short link.
Step 2: add the DNS record
To make the name point at the shortener, you add one record in your domain’s DNS settings — the control panel at whoever you bought the domain from, or your DNS provider. The shortener tells you the exact record to add (usually a single entry for your chosen subdomain); you don’t have to work it out yourself. Paste in what it gives you and save. This is the step that connects your name to the service that will answer the clicks.
Step 3: verify and turn on HTTPS
Once the record is in, the shortener checks that the domain really points at it — that’s the verification step, and it’s what stops anyone from claiming a domain that isn’t theirs. After it verifies, the shortener issues an HTTPS certificate for your domain automatically, so your short links load securely with the padlock. From then on, set the domain as your default and new short links use it.
What to do next
A custom domain is the single biggest thing you can do to make short links look trustworthy, which is why on Shortlen it’s part of every plan, with room for more domains on the higher tiers — see the pricing page for how many each plan includes. For the exact record to add, follow the setup screen when you connect a domain, or ask us if you get stuck. Once it’s live, a good next step is picking a tidy ending for each link — see how to choose a good custom back-half.
Questions people ask
Do I need a brand-new domain, or can I use one I already have?
Either works. Most people use a short subdomain of a domain they already own — such as go.yourbrand.com — because it keeps the short links tied to their brand without touching their main website. You can also register a short domain just for links if you prefer.
How long does it take to work?
The DNS change usually takes effect within minutes to a few hours, depending on your DNS provider. HTTPS is switched on once the domain is verified, so a connected domain typically starts serving secure short links the same day.
What happens to links on the old domain if I add my own?
Links you already made keep working. New links use your custom domain once you set it as the default. You can usually run more than one domain at once on the higher plans if you manage several brands.