URL Shortening

A lot of communication that takes place online nowadays contains links. Links are used to assist and expedite users and customers to exactly the right places on the web where they can access the resources they need.

The URL links that appear in promotional messages, instructions, and notifications, are often long and unsightly. Research has shown that end users hesitate and are less likely to click on long URLs that contain many parameters. Users find them untrustworthy and even consider them as spam.

With URL Shortening, the system automatically generates a shorter, more reliable-looking URL in your message content, still landing in the same destination when opened.

Infobip can shorten those URL links completely or partially to keep a recognizable brand domain in the link. This means that end users are more likely to click through.

In addition, if you cannot measure results and clicks, you will not be able to improve your strategy and communication. You can use tracking options to see which of your end users clicked on the links you sent in your messages.

Another benefit of URL shortening is a reduced message length when a long URL link is shortened. This avoids the need to send long URLs in multiple messages, especially when you may need to be cautious with the number of used characters, and so reduces costs.

Oftentimes, messages can end up being broken up and sent over multiple separate messages where URLs exceed message body character limits. This in turn generates more cost and can bombard users with messages.

URL Shortening is available on Broadcast on the web interface and over API. URL Shortening works with SMS and other digital channels, including Viber and WhatsApp. See the channel specific documentation.

URL Shortening is available on Broadcast and Flow on the web interface. It is also available over API. URL Shortening works with SMS and other digital channels, including Viber and WhatsApp. For more information about using URL Shortening with a channel, see the channel-specific documentation.

Features

Automatically reduce original long URLs to 23 characters, with tracking included.

Track all URL clicks and performance (with tracking enabled), including clicks, times, devices, and OS.

Receive real-time notifications for clicks via webhook using the API.

Keep a recognizable domain in a Shortened URL to increase clickability.

Remove the protocol https:// or http:// prefix from the shortened link.

Available Channels

NOTE

You must have at least one of these channels enabled for configuration to be able to use this functionality. Contact your dedicated Account Manager or the Support team for further assistance.

How URL Shortening Works

For URL shortening, there are two options:

Default - shorten a URL using a domain provided by Infobip
Custom Domain - use your own subdomain so the shortened URL will have a recognizable company or brand

Default URL Shortening

When using the default option, your URL is processed in Infobip and assigned a shorter URL made up of 23 characters. The first part of the URL consists of the standard protocol and the domain, and the remaining characters are a string of numbers that contain the tracking information.

Shortened URLs are automatically generated and allocated at random, and this means that you cannot choose your own shortened URL. The shortened URL will contain one of the following domains:

cka.nu
eeg.nu
pgn.nu
qyy.nu
wwk.nu
wws.nu
eej.at
rzz.at
eej.nu
hhp.nu
rzz.nu
zgz.nu
qyy.at
qyy.be
rrj.nu

For example, this message:

To find out more on messaging go to https://www.infobip.com/messaging

Will be shortened to:

To find out more on messaging go to https://rrj.nu/x5T3jd2Y

Custom Domain option

For SMS, you can shorten a URL with the custom domain option. Use subdomains only for custom URLs.

Your URL is processed in Infobip and assigned a shorter URL but with your subdomain untouched.

For example, a message that includes a URL using the https://blog.mybrand.com subdomain:

To find out more on messaging go to https://blog.mybrand.com/messaging/very-long-url-never-stops

Will be shortened to:

To find out more on messaging go to https://blog.mybrand.com/hS18xzBe

The first part of the URL consists of the standard protocol and your subdomain, and the remaining characters are a string of numbers that contain the tracking information.

Note

Primary domains are not recommended for branded, custom URLs.

Use subdomains if your primary domain already has an A record setup in your DNS record.

Track URL clicks

You can track URL clicks on both the Default and Custom Domain options. See URL Tracking for details about tracking URLs.

Shorten further

You can also remove the protocol https:// or http:// prefix from the shortened link.

For example, this message:

To find out more on messaging go to https://docs.mybrand.com/messaging/too-long-to-read

Will be shortened and https removed to:

To find out more on messaging go to docs.mybrand.com/x5T3jd2Y

The prefix shortening is available on both Default and Custom Domain options.