Short link with a custom name: how to set an alias

What does custom alias mean?

The alias is the part after the slash in a short link. Normally the service picks a random code such as six mixed letters and digits. A custom alias replaces that code with a word you choose, like your shop's name or an event.

A readable ending is easier to say on a radio spot, print on a banner or remember off a slide. It also tells people roughly where the link goes before they tap it. My own opinion: skip it for a one-off share and save custom aliases for anything you will say out loud.

Which services support a custom name?

Custom alias support in URL Short
Service	Custom Alias
is.gd	Yes
v.gd	Yes
Spoo.me	Yes
TinyURL	Yes (your API key)
Bit.ly	Yes (your API key)
Rebrandly	Yes (your API key)
Short.io	Yes (your API key)
CleanURI	No
Cutt.ly	No
T.ly	No

The Custom Alias field only appears when the selected service supports it, so if you do not see it, switch services.

How to set your own link ending

Paste your link into Enter URL on the Shorten tab.
In Shortening Service, choose one that supports aliases, for example is.gd.
Type your word in Custom Alias (the hint reads Pick your own link ending).
Tap Shorten URL. If the service accepts it, your short link ends in that word.
Copy it, share it, or save its QR code as usual.

What if the name is taken?

Aliases are first come, first served on each service, and short common words get taken fast; a wanted alias can already be gone by the time you try it. If someone already used your word, the service will just refuse it; try a variation, the year, a city, a short suffix.

When an alias is set, URL Short does not fall back to another service, because the ending you asked for only exists on the service you chose. You see the service's answer and can try again.

Tips for a good custom alias

Keep it short and all lowercase. Mixed case is easy to mistype when people copy it by hand.
Avoid characters that look alike, such as a lowercase l and the digit 1.
Do not put anything private in it. Anyone who guesses the word can open the link.
If you print it, test it once from the printed page before the full run.

Is it free?

Custom aliases are part of Premium. You can also try them for a few actions by watching a short ad from the upgrade screen, up to twice a day; that trial does not remove ads.

Questions and answers

Can I change a short link's name after I made it?

Not from URL Short. The alias is set by the service when the link is created. To get a different name, shorten the link again with the new alias.

Why is there no Custom Alias field?

The selected service does not support aliases (CleanURI, Cutt.ly and T.ly do not). Switch to is.gd, v.gd, Spoo.me or a keyed service that supports them.

Can I get my own domain in the short link?

The app uses each service's own short domain. Services such as Rebrandly and Short.io offer branded domains on their side; for Short.io you can set the domain your account uses in the app.

How do I make a short link with a custom name for free?

In URL Short, custom names need Premium, or the short ad-based trial for a few actions. Plain short links with a random ending are free with every service.

Can I see how many clicks my short link got? · URL Short

How to give a short link a custom name (custom alias)