Short Links on Your Own Domain
Stop sharing links with someone else's brand on them. Connect your domain and create short links that look like they belong to you.
Get StartedYour domain, your brand
Replace generic short links with go.yourdomain.com: every link reinforces who you are.
Builds instant trust
Visitors are far more likely to click a link from a recognisable domain than an unfamiliar one.
Up in minutes
Connect any domain with a simple DNS change. No technical expertise required.
How to connect your domain
- 1
Add your custom domain in the OctoURL dashboard under Settings.
- 2
Add a CNAME DNS record pointing to links.octourl.com at your domain registrar.
- 3
Wait for DNS propagation (usually under 5 minutes).
- 4
Start creating branded short links immediately.
Why custom domains matter for link performance
Generic short links from shared domains like bit.ly or tinyurl.com carry a fundamental disadvantage: people do not recognise them before clicking. With spam and phishing links proliferating across every platform, users have become trained to be cautious about unfamiliar short links. Custom domains solve this entirely by making your links immediately identifiable as yours.
Studies consistently show that branded links outperform generic ones on click-through rate. When your audience sees go.yourbrand.com in an email, a social post, or a QR code, they know exactly where it leads and who sent it. That recognition translates directly into more clicks, lower bounce rates, and stronger attribution data in your analytics.
Beyond click performance, custom domains are an investment in brand consistency. Every touchpoint matters, and a short link that reinforces your brand, even in its most utilitarian form, is one more signal of professionalism and credibility.
Who benefits from custom domain short links?
Marketing teams
Use a subdomain like go.yourbrand.com for all campaign links. Your links look credible in paid ads, email newsletters, and influencer partnerships.
Media and publishing brands
Major publishers use branded short domains like nyti.ms or on.wsj.com to share articles on social media while maintaining brand presence in every link.
E-commerce stores
Drive more clicks to product pages and promotions with short links that contain your store name. Builds trust before the user even lands on the page.
Agencies and consultants
Set up a dedicated short domain for each client so their branded links look professional and all analytics stay cleanly separated per account.
Everything included
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any domain I own?
Yes. You can connect any domain or subdomain you own. Most users use a subdomain like go.yourdomain.com or links.yourdomain.com rather than their root domain, so it does not interfere with their main website.
Do I need technical skills to set up a custom domain?
No. You only need to add a single CNAME DNS record at your domain registrar (e.g. GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare). The process takes under 5 minutes and DNS propagation is usually complete within a few minutes.
Does HTTPS work automatically on custom domains?
Yes. OctoURL automatically provisions a free TLS/SSL certificate for every custom domain connected to your account. All links on your custom domain will use HTTPS with no extra configuration required.
How many custom domains can I connect?
Pro plans include 1 custom domain. Business and Enterprise plans support unlimited custom domains, which is ideal for agencies managing multiple brands or clients.
What happens to my links if I remove a custom domain?
If you disconnect a custom domain, links using that domain will no longer resolve. We recommend redirecting the domain DNS to a 301 redirect or keeping the domain connected as long as any active links use it.