Alias is a free URL shortener with click analytics, custom aliases, link expiry, QR code generation, bulk CSV shortening, link-in-bio pages, a browser extension, and an official TypeScript SDK.

Is Alias free to use?

Yes. Alias offers a free plan with no credit card required. You can shorten links, track clicks, build a link-in-bio page, and use the API at no cost.

Can I create custom short links with Alias?

Yes. Alias lets you set custom aliases for your links, replacing random slugs with branded, memorable short paths such as alias.live/your-brand.

Does Alias track who clicks my links?

Yes. Alias tracks every click with detailed analytics including country, device type, browser, and referrer. This data is available in your dashboard.

Can I shorten multiple URLs at once?

Yes. The Bulk Shortening tool lets you shorten up to 50 URLs in one request. Upload a CSV file or paste a list, then download the results with short URLs and any errors as a CSV.

Does Alias have link-in-bio pages?

Yes. Every Alias account can create a Linktree-style page at alias.live/p/yourname. Add up to 20 links, pick from 6 gradient colour themes, and track clicks on each button individually.

Is there an official SDK or API?

Yes. Alias provides a REST API and an official TypeScript/JavaScript SDK (npm install aliaslive-sdk). The SDK supports ESM and CommonJS, has full type safety, and covers shortening, bulk shortening, and link management with zero runtime dependencies.

Is there a browser extension?

Yes. Alias has a free extension for Chrome and Edge. Right-click any page or link to shorten it instantly. Works in guest mode with no setup, or connect your account for custom slugs saved to your dashboard.

Can I set an expiry date on a short link?

Yes. Alias lets you set an expiration date on any link. Once expired, the link stops redirecting — ideal for time-sensitive campaigns.

How fast are Alias redirects?

Alias redirects are processed in under 50 milliseconds on average, ensuring a seamless experience for anyone clicking your links.

How to Track Link Clicks with URL Shortener Analytics

April 5, 2025 · Analytics · 5 min read

Learn how to track who clicks your links, where they come from, and what devices they use. URL shortener analytics explained with practical tips.

Every time someone clicks your link, you have an opportunity to learn something. URL shortener analytics turns raw clicks into actionable data — where your audience is, what drives them to click, and which channels perform best.

What Does URL Shortener Analytics Track?

When you use a URL shortener with analytics (like Alias), each click records:

Total click count — how many times the link was clicked.
Country — where in the world the clicks are coming from.
Device type — desktop, mobile, or tablet.
Browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and others.
Referrer — which website or platform sent the visitor (e.g. Twitter, email, direct).
Timestamp — when each click happened.

Why Click Tracking Matters

Measure Campaign Performance

If you post the same content to Twitter, LinkedIn, and your email newsletter, create a separate short link for each channel. Compare click counts to see which channel drives the most traffic without any extra setup.

Understand Your Audience

Country and device data tells you where your audience is and how they browse. If 80% of clicks come from mobile, your landing page better be mobile-optimized.

Validate Content Ideas

Post two different links to the same destination with different descriptions. The one with more clicks tells you which messaging resonates.

How to Track Link Clicks with Alias

Create a free account at alias.live.
Shorten your URL and give it a descriptive alias (e.g. alias.live/email-jan).
Share the short link in your campaign.
Open your dashboard to see real-time click data for every link.

Referrer Tracking: Know Where Your Clicks Come From

Referrer data shows you the source of each click. A click from twitter.com means someone found your link on Twitter. A "direct" click means someone typed or copy-pasted the URL. Alias tracks referrers for every click and groups them in your dashboard so you can see your top traffic sources at a glance.

Start Tracking Your Links Today

Alias gives you full click analytics on every short link you create — for free. No integrations, no code, no credit card.

Create a free account and start tracking