URL Short How to check if a short link is still working (and why it breaks)
Open History in URL Short and tap Check All Links, or open one link and tap Check Status Now. The app follows the short link to its final page and marks it Active or Broken, with the HTTP code and response time.
Why is my link not working?
A short link has two parts that can fail: the short link itself, which lives with the shortening service, and the page it points to. Most broken links are the second kind: the page moved, the shop pulled the product, or the event page came down after the event.
- The target page was deleted or moved, so the site answers "not found" (404) or "gone" (410).
- The site is down or overloaded and answers with a server error (5xx).
- The shortening service removed the link, for example under its own rules or because it expired.
- The link was typed wrong from a print, which is why short, clean links matter.
What does it mean when a link is broken?
It means that when you follow it to the end, the server answers with an error instead of a page. URL Short reads that final answer and sorts the link into one of these states.
| Status | What the final server answer was | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Active | A normal page (2xx) or a redirect that still resolves | Nothing |
| Broken | Not found (404), gone (410) or a server error (5xx) | Fix or replace the target page, or make a new short link |
| Pending | The service asked to slow down (429) | Check again later |
| Unknown | Any other answer, or not checked yet | Open it yourself to see |
How to check your links in the app
- Open History.
- To test everything, open the menu and tap Check All Links. Each row gets a status as it is checked.
- To test one link, tap it, choose Edit Details and tap Check Status Now under Link Status.
- Read the HTTP Status and Response Time to see what the server answered and how fast.
- Filter the list by status to see only the broken ones.
The check sends a light request that only asks for the page headers, and falls back to a normal request if the server refuses that. It follows every redirect, so it tests the full path your readers take. It cannot tell you why a page changed, only that it did; you still have to go look.
Can it check automatically?
Yes. In Settings, turn on the option Automatically check if your shortened links are still working. and the app rechecks your history on a schedule, once a day by default.
What to do when a short link is broken
- If the target page moved, shorten the new address and replace the link where you posted it.
- If it is printed, and you used a service that lets you edit where a link points from its own dashboard, change it there. URL Short cannot edit a link after it is made.
- If the status is Pending or Unknown, wait and check again, or open the link in the browser.
Questions and answers
How do I check if a URL is working without clicking it?
Why does my short link not work but the long one does?
Does the check need internet?
Can it check links I did not make in the app?
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