Short links on your own domain

How a custom domain works on urlf.ly

You add a domain you control to your account and prove it is yours with a DNS record. Once it is verified, you can create short links on it, so a link looks like https://go.yourbrand.com/offer instead of an address on urlf.ly.

Your domain is used only for your short links. Opening the bare domain, such as https://go.yourbrand.com/, sends visitors to the urlf.ly home page, and any address that is not one of your short codes shows a not found page. Links you made on the default domain also open on your domain with the same code.

How to add your domain

1. Sign in, open the dashboard, and go to Domains.
2. Under Add a domain, enter the domain or subdomain, for example go.yourbrand.com, and press Add domain.
3. At your DNS provider, create one record. Option 1: TXT record named _urlfly-verify. followed by your domain, with the value shown in the dashboard. Option 2: CNAME record pointing your domain to urlf.ly.
4. Back in the dashboard, press Check DNS. When the record is found, the status changes to Verified.
5. Create a link and choose your domain in the Domain list.

DNS changes can take a while to spread, so if the check fails at first, wait and try again. Verifying the record proves the domain is yours; for links to load over HTTPS, the domain must also be set up on the server with an SSL certificate, which the site administrator handles. Allow for that step before you print or publish links on the new domain.

Primary domain and several domains

Your first verified domain becomes your primary domain, and new links use it by default. You can switch with Make primary, or press Use the default domain for new links to go back to urlf.ly. Each account can add up to 3 domains.

The domain is chosen when you create a link. If you remove a domain, its links go back to the default domain with the same codes.

Why use your own domain

• Recognition. People see your brand in the link before they click.
• Trust. A link on a domain people know looks less like spam in emails, texts, and printed material.
• Campaign domains. Use a separate subdomain for a product, an event, or a region.

Limits to know

You need a domain you can change DNS records for; urlf.ly does not sell domains. Use a domain or subdomain that is not already running a website, because it will only serve short links.

Using your own domain is part of the paid plan. You can upgrade from your dashboard. If your account later loses access to custom domains, the domain stops serving links and your links show the default address again; the same codes keep working there.

Frequently asked questions

Which DNS record do I need?

One of two: a TXT record named _urlfly-verify. plus your domain, with the value shown in the dashboard, or a CNAME record that points your domain to urlf.ly.

Can I use a subdomain like go.yourbrand.com?

Yes. A subdomain is the usual choice, because the rest of your domain keeps working as before.

What happens when someone opens my domain without a code?

They are sent to the urlf.ly home page. Only your short links are served on the domain.

How many domains can I add?

Each account can add up to 3 domains.

Do my older links work on the new domain?

Yes. Links you made on the default domain also open on your verified domain with the same code.