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.

URL Shorteners for Social Media: The Complete Guide

February 25, 2025 · Tips · 6 min read

Short links are essential for social media marketing. Learn how to use a URL shortener on Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, TikTok, and more to boost clicks and track performance.

Every social media platform treats links differently. Some shorten them automatically, some hide them, and some ban long URLs entirely. Using a URL shortener gives you clean, trackable, platform-friendly links everywhere — and puts the analytics in one place instead of scattered across platform dashboards.

Why Use a URL Shortener for Social Media?

Shorter links save character space on platforms with limits (Twitter/X, SMS).
Custom aliases look professional and get more clicks than random strings.
Centralised click analytics across all platforms in one dashboard.
The same destination URL can be updated without reprinting or re-sharing the link.
UTM parameters and tracking pixels can be hidden behind a clean short link.

Platform-by-Platform Guide

Twitter / X

Twitter automatically wraps every URL in a t.co short link, which counts as 23 characters regardless of actual length. However, using your own short link (alias.live/your-slug) means the visible text in the tweet is your branded domain, not t.co. Readers see a recognisable link before clicking, which increases trust and CTR.

Instagram

Instagram does not allow clickable links in captions — only in your bio and Stories (for eligible accounts). Your bio link is prime real estate. Use a custom short link like alias.live/insta that you can update to point to your latest content, campaign, or product — without changing the bio link itself.

LinkedIn previews the destination URL below your post. A clean alias.live/report looks more credible than a 120-character URL with tracking parameters. LinkedIn audiences skew professional, and a tidy link signals attention to detail.

TikTok

TikTok only allows clickable links in the bio for accounts with 1,000+ followers. Use a short, memorable link that viewers can type from watching the video — alias.live/free-guide is far easier to remember than a full URL.

YouTube

YouTube descriptions support clickable links but they are often cut off in the preview. Put your most important link first, shortened and readable, so it shows without the viewer needing to click "show more".

Track Performance Across Platforms with One Dashboard

Create a separate short link for each platform — alias.live/twitter-launch, alias.live/ig-launch, alias.live/li-launch — all pointing to the same destination. Open your Alias dashboard to see exactly how many clicks came from each platform. This is simpler than UTM tagging and works without any analytics integration.

Start Building Your Social Media Link Stack

Create one free Alias account and manage all your social media links in one place. Track every click, update destinations on the fly, and get a custom short link for every campaign.

Get started free — create your social media links