Setting up URL Shorteners

A URL shortener truncates a lengthy URL into a short one, making it easier to share links. URL shorteners also provide information that can be invaluable to your business—the number of clicks, insight on the people who click them, where these clicks are coming from, and more.

Default Link Shortener- Zurl

Zoho Social has a default URL shortening service, Zurl, that's available across all paid plans. The link pasted on your New Post window will be shortened by default. To view the original link format, you can paste your original URL in the Publishing window and deselect the Link Shortening icon. The original link will then appear on the screen.

Bit.ly Link Shortener 

Zoho Social's Publishing Window is also integrated with Bit.ly URL shortener. If you have a Bit.ly account, here's how you can connect it to Zoho Social:

1. Go to Publishing under Setup in your Home screen.
   
2. Here, you'll find the option to set your Default Link Shortener under Publishing Preferences.
   
3. Select a default shortener from the two options: Bit.ly and zurl.co
   
4. You'll see the following screen
   
   
   
5. Click Allow to start using the Bit.ly integration in Zoho Social.
   

Bit.ly integration is only available to members on a paid plan.

Follow these steps to shorten any URL:

1. Go to the homepage.
   
2. Click the New Post.
   
3. Paste your original URL in the Publishing window.
   
4. Now, click on the Shorten link option to shorten the URL.

Follow these steps to retain the original link:

• If you'd like to retain the original link, you can deselect the Shorten Link icon from the Publishing window.
  
• Once you deselect the  Shorten Link icon from the Publishing window, the link will not be shortened automatically the next time you create a post. 
  
  

Viewing your Stats

To see your Bit.ly clicks count stats, follow these steps:

1. Click the Posts tab from the home screen.
   
2. In Published Posts, click Post Stats.
   
3. View Clicks on Links.
   

• Related Articles

• Can you shorten a link that contains UTM parameters?

  Yes! Zoho Social automatically shortens the link you paste on the Publishing Window, using the default link shortening service zurl or via bit.ly if you have connected your account to Zoho Social, from the Publishing Preferences Settings. 

• Why is it important to enable URL tracking under Publishing Settings?

  If you choose to enable URL tracking under Settings, UTM parameters will be automatically included in any URL you paste on the Publishing Window while you create your post—without you having to set the parameter each time you add a URL to publish.

• What happens if I turn off the URL tracking from Publishing Settings?

  You will still be able to add UTM parameters manually on the Publishing window even if  you have turned off the toggle button for URL tracking under Settings. To add UTM parameters manually from the publishing window, 1. Click on the New Post button ...

• Does the default URL shortener come with all plans?

  Yes it does. While Bit.ly integration is only available across paid plans, the default inbuilt URL shortener zurl is available across all plans. 

• Can I disable URL shortener for a particular post/ all posts?

  To disable URL shortener for particular post, simply click on the URL shortener icon on the bottom of the Publishing Window. When the icon is orange, it indicates that it is enabled. When the icon is grey, it indicates that URL shortening is ...