Branded Links vs Short Links
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Branded Links, everyone else is using them… Are you? 
You share posts you’ve found helpful. Recommend videos that made you laugh. Comment on presentations and other content too and occasionally even slag some authors (only if they deserved it, of course).
But did you know that unless you use a branded domain to tell others about this content, you’re missing out on a massive marketing and branding opportunity?
By using generic short links you’re also actively promoting other brands instead of your own.
In this post I’ll show you why you should stop and why you should start using a branded domain instead. But let’s start from the beginning…
What is a Short Link?
A short link is a shorter version of a URL you can use to distribute content online.
Take a look at this URL for example:
https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/10-tips-digital-marketing-career-advice
This long URL can be transformed into a short link which is much tidier in your Social Media posts. A generic URL shortener, such as Tiny URL, will change your link by using an unidentifiable combination of letters and numbers while bringing users to the same destination as the long URL.
Such as https://short.ly/RGopnt
What is a branded link then?
A branded link is a short version of a URL you want to share online built to include your brand and related term. They are also known as Vanity URLs and Custom Short Links.
Branded Links is a more advanced way to share your content. Unlike generic short links branded links, as the name suggests they also incorporate the brand name. This allows a company to associate itself with content it shares, build brand awareness and increase the brand recognition. Many brands today already use branded links to share and distribute their content.
New York Times
Starbucks
Virgin
But Why a Branded Link Is Better Than a Shortlink?
For one, because a branded link is memorable and pronounceable. Since it uses your brand name which can be easily read and remembered by others.
It increases your brand recognition. Sharing popular content with a branded domain will help make your brand more visible and provide a much greater brand recognition.
A branded domain inspires trust and can increase your Click Through Rate by 39%: By being willing to share your brand name with your link it offers a guarantee that you are leading them to the destination suggested in your link.
Branded links make you unique: a branded link leaves no doubt about who has shared the content. Unlike generic short links, a branded domain is yours only. And thus users will quickly begin to notice and associate it with great content.
How to Create Branded Links
That’s actually super simple. The best way is by using a .link domain extension on your brand. Since you already use your main .com domain to display the website, register your .link counterpart to use for sharing links and content. The .link domain extension is convenient and clearly indicates what purpose the domain will be used for: to share links.
Also, the fact that it uses your brand makes it easy to remember and spell. You shouldn’t have any problems with pronouncing it in conversation or over the phone.
And most importantly, it’s a new domain extension. This means that most words and phrases still haven’t been registered.
How to find out if your .link domain is available
The simplest way is to use the Rebrandly’s domain search tool:
Simply type in your brand name and the tool will quickly reveal if .link domain is still available.
If it is, you will be able to register it directly through the tool (and at a price that’s lower than the industry’s average).
How to Use a Branded Domain
Rebrandly offers a handy browser extension that converts a link of a page you’re currently viewing in a handy branded short link.
You can edit the slug (the part of the domain after the “/” sign) to make it easier for the readers to identify what the content is about.
And then share it directly through the major social networks.
Conclusion
By using branded links with Rebrandly you can associate your brand with content you share, build trust and increase your brand’s awareness and recognition.
Further Reading:
- How to Create a Branded Link
- What is a Vanity URL
- What is a Branded Link
- How to create a short URL in one click (Video)
This Article is About:
- Branded Links
- Short Links
- Vanity URLs
- Branded Links vs Short Links
Originally Posted: May 20th, 2017.
Post Updated: September 13th, 2018.
