Sharing a new blog post is thrilling, but pasting a lengthy, cumbersome URL into your social media update can be off-putting. It appears messy and consumes valuable character limits, particularly on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
We understand the struggle, and after managing numerous websites, we’ve discovered the most effective ways to generate clean, short links directly from WordPress. This straightforward step enhances the shareability and professionalism of your content.
In this guide, we will share the exact techniques we employ. You will learn how to effortlessly create short links that are ideal for social media, emails, and tracking your marketing efforts.
Benefits of Creating Short Links in WordPress
Sharing your web content on social media can enhance user engagement and attract new visitors to your website. However, using long links or URLs may not be the most effective approach.
This is because many social media platforms impose character limits. A shorter URL provides additional space for more valuable content, which can result in increased engagement and traffic to your WordPress site.
This need led to the creation of URL shortening services like Bitly and TinyURL. They transform lengthy links into shorter versions, reducing their footprint.
For instance, if you are utilizing SEO-friendly URL formats, your URLs may appear lengthy, resembling this example:
https://www.CanadaCreate.com/beginners-guide/self-hosted-wordpress-org-vs-free-wordpress-com-infograph/
Our shortened link for that article significantly reduces the URL length:
http://wpbeg.in/b6xh7G
Important Note: We utilize a custom domain, wpbeg.in, for our short links. Setting this up is somewhat technical and requires purchasing an additional domain. We have a dedicated tutorial on how to create your own personalized short URL.
Previously, WordPress made it straightforward to obtain a short link for your blog post or page. There was a Get Shortlink button conveniently located next to the permalink section in the classic editor.
However, if you have recently launched your blog, you may not find this feature on your WordPress site, as it was removed after WordPress version 4.4. WordPress still generates the links, but the button has been eliminated.
In this guide, we will explore two excellent methods to achieve this. First, we will use a plugin to create branded, memorable short links (like yoursite.com/offer) that are ideal for marketing purposes. Next, we will demonstrate how to locate the simple, built-in short link that WordPress automatically generates for each post.
There are several methods to create short links for your WordPress posts and pages.
In this guide, we will discuss the top link shortener plugin and provide a couple of methods to restore the ‘Get Shortlink’ button in the classic editor. Click the links below to navigate directly to each method:
- Method 1: Generate Short Links with the Pretty Links Plugin
- Method 2: Locate Your Default WordPress Short Link Without a Plugin
- Common Questions About Short Links
- Further Reading and Resources
Method 1: Generate Short Links with the Pretty Links Plugin
We will begin with a universally applicable method. The Pretty Links plugin is one of the top URL shorteners available for WordPress. It operates independently of the classic editor and generates its own short link for any URL.
This plugin works with all types of links, including those outside your blog or website. Therefore, it not only allows you to share your content but also serves as an excellent tool for shortening affiliate links.
To begin, you will need to install and activate the free Pretty Links plugin. For detailed instructions, refer to our step-by-step guide on installing a WordPress plugin.
Note:Pretty Links offers a Pro version with advanced features such as keyword auto-linking, link categories, and tags. However, this tutorial will focus on the free version.
After activating the plugin, a new Pretty Links section will appear in your WordPress dashboard. To create your first short link, navigate to thePretty Links » Add Linkpage.
Next, enter the original URL you wish to shorten in the ‘Target URL’ field. A short Pretty Link will be generated automatically, but you can customize the slug to enhance its readability and memorability. For instance, you can modifyyoursite.com/a9b8c7to something likeyoursite.com/ebook, which is perfect for marketing campaigns!
Once you have created several short links, it might be challenging to remember their purposes.
To maintain organization, we strongly recommend filling in the ‘Title’ and ‘Notes’ fields. This will simplify the process of locating and managing your links in the future.
After completing the Pretty Links form, click the ‘Update’ button to activate your short link.
You will now see a comprehensive list of all your Pretty Links. To copy one to your clipboard, simply click the ‘Copy’ icon located on the right side of the screen.
You can then share it across all your social media platforms. Pretty Links will track the number of clicks each link receives.
While Pretty Links offers built-in analytics, you can enhance your tracking by integrating it with Google Analytics through the MonsterInsights plugin.
For detailed instructions, refer to our comprehensive guide on setting up Google Analytics in WordPress.
Method 2: Discovering Your Default WordPress Short Link Without a Plugin
Did you know that WordPress automatically generates a basic short link for every post and page on your site? This method requires no plugins or coding, making it a convenient way to obtain a short URL quickly.
This default short link utilizes your post’s unique ID and appears as follows:
https://www.yourwebsite.com/?p=123
Here’s a simple way to find the ID for any post or page.
First, access your WordPress dashboard and go to Posts » All Posts. Then, hover your mouse over the title of the post for which you need a short link.
Check the bottom-left corner of your browser window. You will see the post’s edit URL, which includes post= followed by a number. That number represents the Post ID!
For instance, if the ID is 2319, your standard WordPress short link would be https://www.yourwebsite.com/?p=2319.
Although this link may not be as visually appealing as the custom links created with Pretty Links, it is concise and functions well for quick sharing.
Common Questions About Short Links
Many of our readers have inquiries regarding the creation and usage of short links in WordPress. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
1. Will using short links negatively impact my WordPress SEO?
No, using short links will not harm your SEO as long as they implement proper 301 redirects. Search engines like Google recognize that the short link serves as a reference to the original URL and will appropriately transfer any link equity.
2. What is the best URL shortener for WordPress?
We recommend Pretty Links as the best URL shortener for most WordPress users. It is user-friendly, allows you to create custom branded links, and includes click-tracking features directly in your WordPress dashboard.
3. Can I monitor who clicks on my short links?
Absolutely! One of the key advantages of using a plugin like Pretty Links is its integrated analytics feature. It monitors every click on your shortened URLs, providing you with essential insights into the performance of your links across various platforms.
4. Is a custom domain necessary for my short links?
No, a custom domain is not required. By default, plugins such as Pretty Links generate short URLs using your primary domain (for example, yoursite.com/offer). However, opting for a custom short domain (like our wpbeg.in) can create even shorter links and enhance your brand identity.
Additional Resources
Now that you’ve learned how to create short links, check out these additional guides to maximize your site’s marketing and link-building strategies.
- Beginner’s Guide to Affiliate Marketing – Discover how to effectively use short links to promote products and earn commissions.
- How to Track Outbound Links in WordPress – Learn how to identify which external links your visitors are clicking on.
- How to Cloak Affiliate Links on Your WordPress Site – Elevate your link shortening skills by cloaking your affiliate URLs.
- Best Internal Linking Plugins for WordPress – Explore tools that assist you in creating strategic links between your own articles, enhancing your SEO.
- Learn how to implement Nofollow links in WordPress – Discover when and how to effectively use the nofollow attribute for your external links.
We hope this guide has helped you understand how to create short links in WordPress. You may also be interested in learning how to add nofollow links in WordPress or exploring our comparison of the top internal linking plugins for WordPress.
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