URL Shortener Developer Documentation

Comprehensive guides and reference materials for integrating Zexo's URL shortener API into your applications. Our documentation covers everything from basic URL creation endpoints to advanced features like custom domain integration, click analytics, and bulk link management.

Basic Usage

Zexo makes it quick and easy to shorten any URL without requiring an account. Follow these simple steps to get started:

  • Go to the homepage

    Visit zexo.com to access our URL shortening service.

  • Enter your long URL

    Paste your long URL into the input field at the top of the page.

  • Click "Shorten"

    Click the "Shorten" button to generate your shortened URL instantly.

  • Copy and share

    Your shortened URL will appear on the results page. Click the copy button to copy it to your clipboard and share it anywhere.

Advanced Features Overview

Zexo offers a range of advanced features completely free to enhance your URL shortening experience:

  • Custom URLs

    Create branded, memorable links that reflect your content and strengthen your brand identity.

  • Password Protection

    Secure your links so only people with the password can access them, perfect for private content.

  • Link Expiration

    Set your links to automatically expire after a specific date or number of clicks for time-sensitive offers.

  • QR Codes

    Generate custom QR codes for your shortened URLs, perfect for print materials and physical displays.

  • Analytics

    Track clicks, visitor locations, devices, and more to understand your audience and optimize campaigns.

To access these features, simply toggle the "Advanced Features" switch when shortening a URL on the homepage.

Custom URLs

Create personalized, branded links that are more memorable and professional than random characters.

How to Create a Custom URL

  • Enter your long URL

    Start by pasting your long URL into the main input field.

  • Toggle Advanced Features

    Click the "Advanced Features" toggle to reveal additional options.

  • Customize your URL

    In the "Custom URL Path" field that appears, enter your desired URL ending (e.g., "my-special-link").

  • Click "Shorten"

    Click the "Shorten" button to create your custom URL.

Tips for Custom URLs

  • Keep it short and memorable

    Shorter URLs are easier to share and remember. Aim for something concise but descriptive.

  • Use relevant keywords

    Include keywords related to your content to make the URL more meaningful and easier to remember.

  • Avoid special characters

    Only letters, numbers, and hyphens are allowed in custom URLs. Avoid spaces, underscores, and symbols.

  • Case sensitivity

    Custom URLs are case-sensitive, so "My-Link" and "my-link" would be treated as different URLs.

Password Protection

Add an extra layer of security to your links by requiring a password before visitors can access the destination URL.

Setting Up Password Protection

  • Toggle Advanced Features

    After entering your URL, enable the Advanced Features toggle.

  • Enable Password Protection

    Check the "Password Protection" option.

  • Set a Password

    Enter your desired password in the field provided.

  • Complete URL Shortening

    Click "Shorten" to create your password-protected link.

When someone clicks your password-protected link, they'll see a page asking for the password. Only after entering the correct password will they be redirected to the destination URL.

QR Codes

Generate and customize QR codes for your shortened links, perfect for print materials, business cards, or physical displays.

Generating QR Codes

  • Create a Shortened URL

    First, create your shortened URL using the standard process.

  • View QR Code

    On the results page, you'll automatically see a QR code generated for your shortened URL.

  • Download QR Code

    Click the "Download QR Code" button to save the image in high resolution (PNG format).

QR Code Usage Ideas

  • Marketing Materials

    Add to printed marketing materials like flyers, brochures, and posters for easy digital access.

  • Product Packaging

    Include on product packaging to provide quick access to product information, tutorials, or registration.

  • Events and Retail

    Display at events or in stores to give visitors easy access to exclusive content or special offers.

  • Business Cards

    Add to business cards or brochures for quick access to your portfolio, social media, or contact information.

  • Presentations

    Include in presentations or posters to provide audience access to additional resources or references.

Analytics

Track and analyze how your shortened links are performing with our built-in analytics dashboard.

Available Analytics

For each shortened URL, you can track:

  • Total Clicks

    The number of times your link has been clicked, helping you measure engagement and reach.

  • Geographic Data

    Countries and regions where clicks originated, helping you understand your audience's location.

  • Devices

    Types of devices used (desktop, mobile, tablet), helping you optimize for your audience's preferred platforms.

  • Browsers

    Web browsers used to access your link, ensuring your destination page works well for all visitors.

  • Referrers

    Websites or platforms where your link was clicked, helping you identify your most effective distribution channels.

  • Time Data

    When your links are being clicked (hourly/daily/weekly trends), helping you identify peak engagement times.

Analytics are not enabled by default. You'll need to enable analytics when creating your shortened link by selecting the analytics option.

Accessing Analytics

Analytics for your shortened URLs are available on the results page after creating the link. Since Zexo doesn't require accounts, we recommend bookmarking the results page for any links you want to track.

Analytics Limitations

Without an account, analytics data is stored in your browser. To access your analytics from another device, you'll need to use the same results page URL.

Best Practices

Follow these recommendations to get the most out of Zexo's URL shortening service:

General Best Practices

  • Use custom URLs for branding

    When possible, create custom URLs that reflect your brand or content to increase recognition and trust.

  • Bookmark results pages

    Since Zexo doesn't require accounts, bookmark your results pages to easily access your links and analytics later.

  • Use expiration dates for time-sensitive content

    Set appropriate expiration dates for promotional offers, events, or limited-time content to maintain relevance.

  • Test your links

    Always test your shortened URLs before sharing them widely to ensure they work as expected.

Security Best Practices

  • Use strong passwords

    If you enable password protection, use a strong, unique password to ensure maximum security.

  • Don't share sensitive content

    Avoid using URL shorteners for highly sensitive or confidential information that requires maximum security.

  • Be transparent

    When sharing shortened URLs, let recipients know where the link will take them to build trust.

Troubleshooting

Encountering issues with Zexo? Here are solutions to common problems:

Common Issues and Solutions

  • Custom URL Not Available

    If your desired custom URL is not available, it means someone else has already used that path. Try a different variation or add additional characters to make it unique.

  • Link Not Working

    If a shortened link isn't redirecting properly, check:

    • Expiration settings - the link may have expired
    • Password protection - ensure you're using the correct password
    • Original URL - verify the destination URL is still active

  • Analytics Not Loading

    If analytics aren't loading for your link, try:

    • Refreshing the page
    • Clearing your browser cache
    • Ensuring you're using the original results page URL

  • QR Code Issues

    If you're having trouble with QR codes:

    • Ensure you're downloading the high-resolution version
    • Try scanning with different QR code reader apps
    • Make sure the printed QR code has sufficient contrast and size

If you're still experiencing issues, please visit our Help Center or contact us directly. We're here to help!