Why we built it
Links are how you share things on the internet, but raw URLs are often long, ugly, and impossible to remember. Worse, once you share a link, you have no idea what happens next — whether anyone clicked it, where they came from, or which channel actually worked. You end up guessing instead of knowing.
About New Links turns any URL into a short, clean address you can share anywhere — social media, print materials, emails, or chat. But shortening is just the starting point. The real value is in what comes after: click analytics, expiration control, security scanning, and the option to generate a QR code for every link with a single click.
What About New Links can do
About New Links is built for people who share links regularly and want to understand what happens after they do. The feature set covers the full lifecycle of a shared link — from creation to measurement.
- 🔗 Instant shortening - paste a URL, get a short link in seconds
- 🏷️ Custom aliases - choose a memorable slug instead of a random code (Starter+)
- 📊 Click analytics - see who clicked, from where, on what device, and when (Starter+)
- 📅 Expiration dates - set links to stop working after a specific time (Starter+)
- 📱 Built-in QR codes - generate a printable QR code for any short link
- 🛡️ Security scanning - destinations are checked for malicious content
- 🤖 REST API - create and manage links programmatically (Starter+)
Who it is for
- Marketing teams - track campaign performance across channels. See which email, post, or ad drives the most clicks. Compare traffic sources and optimize in real time.
- Product teams - share release announcements, changelogs, and beta invites with clean links. Monitor adoption after launch.
- Sales and customer support - send professional, trustworthy links to clients. Use expiration dates for time-sensitive offers or temporary access.
- Content creators - replace cluttered affiliate or tracking URLs with short, memorable links. Track engagement without third-party tools.
- Developers - integrate link creation into apps, newsletters, or internal tools via the API.
More than just a short URL
Shortening a URL takes seconds — that part is simple. The reason About New Links exists is everything that happens after the link is shared. When you shorten a URL through most free tools, you get a random string that is hard to remember, impossible to brand, and gives you zero insight into whether anyone actually used it.
With About New Links, the short URL is the beginning of a measurable, controllable asset. You can set a custom alias that people can actually remember. You can add an expiration date so the link stops working when it should. And you can check the analytics dashboard to understand who clicked, when, and from where.
For teams that share links regularly — in newsletters, social media, presentations, or printed materials — this turns every link from a blind handoff into a tracked touchpoint.
Click analytics in detail
Every click on a short link is logged with contextual data. The analytics dashboard shows:
- Geographic location - country and region based on IP, so you can see where your audience is
- Device and platform - mobile, tablet, or desktop, broken down by operating system
- Referrer - where the click came from: direct, social media, email client, search engine, or another website
- Timeline - a chronological view of clicks, so you can see spikes, patterns, and the effect of specific campaigns
This data is straightforward and actionable. You do not need a separate analytics platform to answer basic questions like "Did anyone actually click the link I put in that email?" or "Which of the three social posts performed best?"
Custom aliases
A link like about-new.com/l/x7kQ9p works, but about-new.com/l/spring-sale is easier to remember, looks better in print, and gives the reader a hint of what to expect. Custom aliases let you replace the random code with a meaningful slug that fits your brand or campaign.
This matters especially for links that appear on physical materials — business cards, flyers, packaging, slides — where people might type the URL manually. A readable alias reduces errors and increases the chance someone actually visits the link.
Link expiration
Not every link should live forever. Time-limited promotions, temporary access credentials, event-specific pages, and seasonal offers all have a natural end date. Link expiration lets you set a date and time after which the short link stops redirecting. Instead, visitors see a clean expiration notice.
This is also useful for security. If you share a link to a sensitive document or a private preview, you can ensure it becomes inaccessible after the intended window, without having to remember to deactivate it manually.
QR codes included
Every short link can generate a QR code with one click. The code is ready to download and use in print materials, presentations, signage, or packaging. This bridges the gap between digital and physical — you get a scannable code and click tracking in the same place, without switching to a separate QR tool.
Security and trust
Shortened links have a reputation problem. People hesitate to click them because they cannot see where the link goes. About New Links addresses this in two ways.
First, every destination URL is scanned for known malicious content — phishing pages, malware distribution, and other threats. If a destination is flagged, the link is blocked before it can harm anyone. Second, the system includes an abuse reporting mechanism. If a short link is misused, it can be flagged and reviewed quickly.
For businesses sharing links publicly, this matters. A short link that leads to a clean, verified destination builds trust. One that does not can damage your brand.
API for automation
If you create links in bulk — for newsletters, product catalogs, customer communications, or internal tools — the REST API lets you automate the process. Create short links, set aliases and expiration, and retrieve analytics data programmatically. The API supports the same features available in the web interface.
Common integrations include email platforms that shorten links before sending, CRM systems that generate trackable links per contact, and dashboards that pull click data for reporting.
Practical use cases
Email marketing - shorten every link in your newsletter. After sending, check which links got the most clicks, from which devices, and at what time. Use the data to improve the next campaign instead of guessing what worked.
Social media campaigns - create a custom alias for each platform or post. Compare performance across channels. When you need to change the destination — a sold-out product, an updated landing page — you can update the link without editing the post.
Print materials - put a short, readable link on flyers, brochures, or business cards. Add a QR code for people who prefer scanning. Track how much traffic the print material actually generates.
Internal sharing - share links to internal tools, dashboards, or documents with clean, memorable aliases. Set expiration for temporary access. Keep shared links organized in your dashboard.
Client deliverables - send clients a clean, branded link instead of a messy URL with tracking parameters. Expiration ensures the link stops working after the review period ends.
Plans overview
- Free - basic link shortening with QR code generation. Covers occasional use and quick sharing without analytics.
- Starter - custom aliases, expiration dates, click analytics, and API access. Built for regular use and small teams who want to measure what they share.
- Pro - higher limits, advanced analytics, priority support, and full API capabilities. For teams where link management is part of the daily workflow.
The split is simple: Free covers the basics, Starter adds the intelligence layer (analytics, control, automation), and Pro scales it for heavier use. If you just need to shorten a link once in a while, Free is enough. If links are part of how you communicate and market, Starter pays for itself by showing you what actually works.
FAQ
Do I get QR codes for free?
Yes. QR code generation is available on all plans, including Free. Every short link can produce a downloadable QR code.
Can I use a custom alias?
Yes, from the Starter plan. You can replace the random code with a meaningful slug like spring-sale or launch-2025.
Is it safe to share shortened links publicly?
Yes. Every destination is scanned for malicious content, and an abuse reporting system is in place to handle misuse.
Can I see who clicked my link?
Analytics on the Starter and Pro plans show geographic location, device type, referrer, and a click timeline. Individual visitors are not personally identified.
Can links expire automatically?
Yes. From the Starter plan, you can set an expiration date and time. After that point, the link stops redirecting and shows an expiration notice.
Questions or suggestions? Open About New Links and let us know what you need.