Custom Aliases: How to Name Short Links People Trust

Published 19 September 2026 · Updated 19 September 2026

By default a short link ends in a random code such as k3Fq8x. A custom alias replaces that code with a word or phrase you choose, like spring-menu. It is a small change that makes a link easier to remember, easier to say aloud, and more reassuring to click.

Why aliases help

Trust. People are wary of meaningless strings. A readable name suggests what they will find.
Memorability. Someone who hears "go to spring-menu" at an event can type it without help.
Organisation. When you have dozens of links, names make your dashboard scannable.

Choosing a good alias

Keep it short but meaningful. Aim for one to three words.
Use lowercase and hyphens. Aliases here are case-sensitive, so Menu and menu are different links. Lowercase avoids mistakes when typing.
Avoid look-alike characters. The number 0 and the letter O, or 1 and l, are easy to confuse when read aloud.
Do not put private information in an alias. Short links can be seen by anyone you share them with, and can end up in browser history.
Do not imitate other brands. An alias such as bank-login looks like phishing and may be removed.

Naming conventions for campaigns

If you run several campaigns, a consistent pattern keeps things tidy. For example: event-2026-flyer, event-2026-email, event-2026-social. Because each channel has its own link, the click counts on your dashboard tell you which channel worked best.

Rules on this site

Aliases are 3 to 40 characters and may contain letters, numbers, dashes and underscores.
Aliases are first come, first served. If one is taken, choose another.
The destination of a link cannot be changed later. If you need a different destination, create a new link.
Custom aliases are available to everyone with a free account. There is no paid tier.

Ready to try it? Create a free account and set an alias when you shorten your next link.