---
title: "Shortlink System"
description: "URL shortener with analytics and custom domains"
---

# Shortlink System

A comprehensive URL shortening solution with analytics and custom domain support.

## Features

- Create short URLs from long URLs
- Custom paths (e.g., `yoursite.com/my-link`)
- Preview images for social media
- Click analytics (countries, devices, referrers)
- Custom domain support
- Collision detection with existing routes

## Admin URL

| Page | URL |
|------|-----|
| Shortlink Management | `/admin/shortlinks` |
| Domain Management | `/admin/shortlinks/domains` |

## Creating a Shortlink

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Shortlinks">
    Go to `/admin/shortlinks`
  </Step>
  <Step title="Click Create">
    Click **Create Shortlink**
  </Step>
  <Step title="Enter URL">
    Paste the long destination URL
  </Step>
  <Step title="Choose Path">
    - **Auto-generate**: Random short path
    - **Custom**: Enter your own (e.g., `winter-sale`)
  </Step>
  <Step title="Optional: Preview Image">
    Upload an image for social media previews
  </Step>
  <Step title="Create">
    Click **Create Shortlink**
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Analytics

Click the analytics icon on any shortlink to view:

| Metric | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| Total Clicks | Overall click count |
| Countries | Geographic distribution |
| Devices | Desktop, mobile, tablet breakdown |
| Referrers | Where clicks came from |
| Browsers | Browser usage stats |

Export analytics to CSV for further analysis.

## Custom Domains

### Setup Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add Domain">
    Go to Domain Management → **Add Domain**
    Enter subdomain (e.g., `link.yourdomain.com`)
  </Step>
  <Step title="Configure DNS">
    Add these records in your DNS provider:
    
    **CNAME Record:**
    ```
    Name: link
    Value: yourdomain.com
    ```
    
    **TXT Record (for verification):**
    ```
    Name: _shortlink-verify.link
    Value: [verification token shown in dashboard]
    ```
  </Step>
  <Step title="Verify">
    Wait 5-10 minutes for DNS propagation, then click **Verify DNS**
  </Step>
  <Step title="Use">
    Select the custom domain when creating new shortlinks
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Database Schema

### shortlinks Collection

```javascript
{
  customPath: "winter-sale",
  destinationUrl: "https://example.com/products?utm_source=...",
  previewImageUrl: "https://...",
  title: "Winter Sale 2024",
  description: "50% off all items",
  isActive: true,
  clickCount: 150,
  createdAt: "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z"
}
```

### shortlink_analytics Collection

```javascript
{
  shortlinkId: "abc123",
  timestamp: "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z",
  country: "US",
  countryName: "United States",
  deviceType: "mobile",
  browser: "Chrome",
  referrer: "https://twitter.com"
}
```

## Collision Detection

The system automatically checks if your custom path conflicts with:
- Existing blog posts
- Project pages
- Static routes
- Other shortlinks

A warning appears if a collision is detected.

## Best Practices

<Tip>
  Use descriptive paths like `winter-sale` instead of random strings for better memorability.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  Add preview images to increase click-through rates by 30-50% on social media.
</Tip>

<Warning>
  Shortlinks are case-insensitive. `My-Link` and `my-link` are the same.
</Warning>