FAQ

Frequently asked

Short answers to the common questions. Longer walk-throughs live in Help & guides.

What exactly is Shortner URL?

A link manager. It shortens URLs, lets you change where any link points after you've shared it, and keeps everything in a searchable, labeled library tied to your account. Think of it as a filing system for links rather than a one-off shortening gadget.

How is this different from other shorteners?

Two commitments: every link is editable after the fact, and the library is a first-class feature — labels, notes, and search, not an afterthought list. The product is built for people managing many links over a long period, not for shortening one URL and forgetting it.

Is it free?

Fully free during early access, no card. Paid tiers later will cover advanced features like analytics, QR codes, export, and teams — details on the pricing page.

Can I change a link's destination after sharing it?

Yes — that's the core feature. Edit the route in your dashboard and the change is live immediately. We use 302 redirects specifically so browsers don't cache the old destination.

Can I pick my own slug?

Yes, if it's free: up to 40 characters of lowercase letters, numbers, and dashes. Taken is taken — first come, first served — and deleted slugs are retired rather than resold, so a link you killed can't come back to life under someone else.

Do links expire?

No. Links stay live until you delete them, or unless they violate the acceptable-use rules (malware, phishing, scams, and the like get disabled).

Do visitors see an ad or interstitial page?

Never. The redirect is immediate — click, forward, done. Your link behaves like a direct link.

Is my library private?

Yes. Your labels, notes, and the list of links you've filed are visible only inside your account. The links themselves are public in the sense that anyone holding one can follow it — that's their job.

What happens when paid plans launch?

Existing links keep working, and we announce pricing before anything changes. The commitment is written into our principles: we charge for capability, not for holding links hostage.

Can I report a link that's being abused?

Please do — report it here. Links routing to malware, phishing, spam, or scams get reviewed and disabled. Keeping the domain clean keeps everyone's links deliverable.

Will there be an API?

Planned for the Teams tier — see the roadmap. If you have a specific integration in mind, tell us; it shapes the build order.

Question answered?

Then the only thing left is to file your first link.

Open a free account