Short link settings guide

Short link

After creating a Short link, configure Destination URL, tracking, expiration, password, targeting, and more - step by step for non-technical users.

1. How to open Short link settings

This page is for editing an existing Short link (not creating a new one). See the create guide if you do not have a link yet.

1. Sign in and open Links → Short link.
2. Select the Short link → open its detail / Settings page.
3. You will see a heading like “Manage your link” and quick-action buttons at the top.

2. Map of the 6 settings sections

The form is split into sections (use the tabs at the top to jump):

• Basic URL - Destination URL and Shortened URL.
• Tracking - Pixels / statistics / QR.
• Expiration - Schedule dates and clicks limit.
• Protection - Password and sensitive content warning.
• Target - Send users to different URLs by country, device, and more.
• Advanced - Project and Splash page.

3. Basic URL - Destination & Shortened URL

3.1. Destination URL (Long URL)

This is the page visitors reach when they click your Short link.

• Enter a full URL starting with https:// or http://.
• You can change the destination anytime without changing the published Short link (keep the same Shortened URL).
• Destinations are still moderated (blacklist, risk warnings…). Prefer pages you control; avoid nested shorteners.

3.2. Shortened URL (alias)

The path after the domain, e.g. appifio.com/promo.

• If your plan allows custom URLs, edit the alias to make it memorable.
• Leave empty for random generation when you do not need a custom name.
• You can select a custom domain (if connected) instead of the default Appifio domain.

The Full URL area below lets you copy or open the link for a quick test.

4. Tracking - Pixels, statistics, QR

Use this section to see who clicked and measure ad performance.

4.1. View statistics

Click View detailed statistics for clicks, countries, devices, referrers, and more over time.

4.2. Attach Pixels

Pixels are tracking tags (Facebook, Google, TikTok…) you created under Pixels.

1. Create a Pixel first (if needed).
2. Return to Short link settings → Tracking.
3. Check the Pixels to attach.
4. Click Update.

4.3. Create a QR code

Click Create a QR code for this link to print or place on posters/menus. Scanning opens your Short link.

5. Expiration & limits - time-boxed links

Use when the Short link should work only for a period or a limited number of clicks (e.g. a 3-day promo, max 100 tickets).

5.1. Enable Schedule

1. Turn on Schedule.
2. Set Start date - before this, the link is not active (or does not go to the main destination).
3. Set End date - after this, the link expires.

5.2. Clicks limit

Enter the maximum allowed clicks. Leave empty = Unlimited. When the limit is reached, the link expires.

5.3. Expiration URL

After the Short link expires (by date or clicks), visitors can be sent to another page you choose - e.g. “Offer ended” or your store homepage.

6. Protection - password & sensitive content

6.1. Password protection

When set, visitors must enter the correct password to continue. The browser may remember it for about 30 days so they do not re-enter every time.

Best for: internal documents, buyer-only / member-only links.

6.2. Sensitive content warning

Enable if the destination needs an explicit confirmation first (e.g. strong warnings, age-gated content). Visitors see a confirmation screen before continuing.

7. Targeting - one Short link, many destinations

By default everyone goes to the same Destination URL. Target (Smart targeting) can send different groups to different URLs.

General steps:

1. Select a targeting type (or None if unused).
2. Click Create to add each rule row.
3. Each row = condition (country / device…) + matching destination URL.
4. Click Update. Remove a row with the X button.

8. Advanced - Project & Splash page

8.1. Project

Assign the Short link to a Project to filter by campaign (e.g. “July Sale”, “Q3 Event”). Optional - choose None if unused.

8.2. Splash page

A Splash page appears before the destination - countdown, message, branding, or a short promo.

1. Create a splash page first under Splash pages (if your plan allows).
2. Return to Short link settings → select it in the list.
3. Update. Visitors see the splash first, then the destination.

9. Quick checklist by goal

10. Common issues