How to create branded short links for Instagram | 5 Pro Tips

Instagram is a powerful platform for creators, brands, and marketers.

But there’s one major problem—linking out is limited.

You only get one link in your bio and clickable links in Stories (if you’re eligible). That’s why branded short links can be a game-changer.

I have compiled everything you need to know about how to create branded short links for Instagram, why they matter, and how to use them to increase engagement, clicks, and trust.

Key Takeaways

• Branded short links use your custom domain and boost trust, clicks, and brand recognition on Instagram.
• They’re perfect for your Instagram bio, Stories, DMs, and captions—especially since Instagram only allows one clickable bio link.
• Tools like Linko.me make it easy to create branded short links with tracking, A/B testing, and UTM support.
• Use a short, memorable slug and add UTM tags to track performance in Google Analytics.
• Branded links can increase click-through rates by up to 39%, compared to generic links.
• Keep links updated, avoid spammy words, and monitor performance through your shortener’s dashboard.
• For creators with multiple offers, use a Link in Bio page that houses all important links under one branded URL.
• Real-life examples show that switching to branded links can lead to better engagement and higher traffic.

What are branded short links and why do they matter?

A branded short link is a shortened URL that uses your brand name or custom domain instead of a generic service like Bit.ly or TinyURL. Instead of bit.ly/abc123, you get something like brandname.com/sale.

These links are short, clean, and instantly recognizable as yours.

Key elements of a branded short link:

• Custom domain – often a subdomain like go.yoursite.com
• Custom slug – the part after the slash (e.g., /new-offer)
• Redirection – they redirect to your long, original URL
• Tracking – they include built-in analytics to measure clicks

Why Instagram users love branded short links:

• You only get one link in your bio, so it better look professional.
• Instagram Stories allow clickable links, and branded URLs look more trustworthy.
• Branded links increase CTR (click-through rate) because they’re clear and clean.
• You can track your link performance and know what’s working.

In short: If you care about branding, trust, or traffic—branded short links are worth it.

Benefits of using branded short links on Instagram

Let’s break down why branded links aren’t just “cool looking” but actually useful:

• ✅ Higher click-through rates
  Studies show branded links get up to 39% more clicks than generic shorteners.
• ✅ Stronger brand identity
  Every click reinforces your brand name—not someone else’s.
• ✅ Improved trust
  Users are more likely to click on links they recognize.
• ✅ Instagram-ready
  Perfect for bio, stories, captions, and DMs.
• ✅ Built-in analytics
  See how many people click, where they’re from, and which link performs best.
• ✅ Easy to remember
  A link like go.shopname.com/sale is easier to recall than bit.ly/xyz234.
• ✅ Better link control
  You can edit slugs, redirect links, set expirations, and even run A/B tests.

Step-by-step guide: How to create branded short links for Instagram

Creating branded links might sound technical, but it’s simple when you break it down. Here’s the full step-by-step walkthrough.

🧩 Step 1: Choose a link shortening platform

You need a service that supports custom domains, analytics, and Instagram-friendly features.

Recommended tools:

• Linko.me – Built for marketers and influencers, it includes bio tools, QR codes, and branded links.
• Rebrandly – Good for teams and link tracking.
• Bitly – Popular but limited customizations unless you upgrade.

Look for these features:

• Custom domain support
• UTM tags and analytics
• Link scheduling/expiration
• Mobile-friendly bio page (optional but helpful)

🧩 Step 2: Register a custom short domain

This is the domain you’ll use to brand your links, like go.brand.com.

Tips for choosing one:

• Keep it short and relevant.
• Use keywords or your brand name.
• Consider domain hacks (e.g., sho.pn, trvl.io).

You can buy these from registrars like:

• Namecheap
• Google Domains
• GoDaddy

🧩 Step 3: Connect your custom domain to the link shortener

Once you have a short domain, connect it to your shortening tool.

With Linko, for example:

1. Go to “Custom Domains”
2. Add your domain or subdomain
3. Update DNS settings to point to Linko (usually a CNAME record)
4. Wait for it to verify (can take minutes to hours)

Most tools have a walkthrough for this.

🧩 Step 4: Create your branded short link

Once your domain is active, it’s time to make your first link.

Here’s how:

1. Paste your long URL (e.g., your Instagram campaign or Shopify product page)
2. Customize the slug: go.brand.com/summer-sale
3. Add UTM parameters (optional but helpful for analytics)
4. Click shorten!

Boom—you now have a branded short link ready for Instagram.

🧩 Step 5: Add your link to Instagram

Here’s where to use your new link:

• Bio: Go to your Instagram profile → Edit Profile → Website → Paste your link.
• Stories: Use the “Link” sticker to paste your branded link.
• DMs: Reply to followers or clients with branded URLs.
• Captions: While Instagram doesn’t hyperlink captions, clean links still help for recall.

💡 Pro tip: Use tools like Linko’s Bio Page to add multiple links behind one branded URL.

Best practices and pro tips

Get the most from your branded short links with these strategies:

• Keep slugs short and readable
  Example: go.brand.com/newdrop is better than go.brand.com/promo-2025-february-launch
• Use UTM tags
  Track traffic in Google Analytics with ?utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=bio
• Update links often
  Don’t let your bio get stale—update it weekly if needed.
• Avoid spammy terms
  Words like “free” or “cash” can reduce trust or flag you.
• Monitor your analytics
  Use your shortening tool to track CTR, device, geo-location, etc.

Best tools to create branded short links

Here are the top tools creators and marketers use:

🔗 Linko.me

• Free plan available
• Custom domains
• Instagram bio page editor with 38+ widgets
• UTM tracking, A/B testing, link scheduling
• API and bulk shortener

Perfect for creators and businesses.

🔗 Rebrandly

• Advanced link routing
• Team collaboration
• A bit pricey for solopreneurs

🔗 Bitly

• Popular and easy to use
• Branded links only on premium plans
• Limited control and branding options

Conclusion

Instagram is full of opportunities—but without the right short links strategy, you’re leaving clicks on the table.

Branded short links help you stand out, build trust, and get better results with every campaign.

By following this guide, you can easily create, customize, and track your links—all while keeping your brand front and center.

Ready to try it out? Head to Linko.me and create your first branded link for Instagram—free.

FAQs