Facelift offers you a link shortener with which you can shorten your links to individual short URLs with just a few clicks. You also have the option to add UTM tracking parameters to the shortened links and measure the success of the links.
Short URLs
A shortened link consists of a domain and an ending (slug) that can be individualised. So a shortened link could look like this: YourCompany.com/link-name.
By default, fcld.ly is used as the domain. However, you also have the option of registering your own domain.
An ending must always be unique, i.e. several links cannot be assigned to one slug. However, it is possible to create a short link and use it in several posts by inserting it manually.
Shorten links
There are two ways to shorten a link. Either directly during post creation or in the Facelift settings.
To shorten a link directly during post creation, simply type in the desired link in Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Xing posts. The link will then be recognised by Facelift and highlighted in grey.
Now click on the link. You can make the adjustments in the pop-up that opens. Choose between the stored domains and enter an individual slug. You can also switch to the settings where you can adjust the tracking parameters. Don't forget to finish by clicking on Shorten link.
You can also generate the short link directly in the settings to use it further. To do this, call up the Link Shortener settings in the general Facelift settings and click on Create Short URL. Now enter the link to be shortened in the top line. You can now adjust the domain and slug as well as the tracking parameters.
Tracking parameters
You can add UTM tracking parameters to your link to evaluate the success of your link and to create and measure entire link campaigns.
If you create a short link in the Facelift settings, you will see the options for entering the tracking parameters. If you shorten the link directly from the post creation, you must first activate the Tracking Parameter switch to see the settings.
Then enter a campaign, source and medium. You can also enter only individual parameters. You also have the option of selecting a preset to fill in the tracking parameters directly.
Tracking parameter presets can be created in the Link Shortener section under URL Parameter in the Facelift settings. Simply click on Create preset and enter the parameters and a name for the preset.
Statistics
👑 This feature is only included in certain Facelift plans. Find out about plans and prices here.
You can find the statistics for your short links in the Facelift settings in the Link Shortener section under Short URLs. Here you can see a list of your shortened links, which you can also filter by All Links or My Links. You also have the option of searching in the links.
Additionally you can view short url statistics in your Dashboard. Simply add the widgets to an existing Dashboard of your choice.
Click on the title of a link or on View in the three-dot menu. You will now see various statistics for this link next to the long and short URL. You can adjust the time period you want to view. All statistics now refer to this period.
The upper graphic shows the total number of clicks over the period. Below you can see the browser, operating system and location of the people who made the clicks. In addition, under Referer, you can see from where the link was clicked.
Registering an own domain
👑 This feature is only included in certain Facelift plans. Find out about plans and prices here.
To register your own domain to use it when shortening links, you need an existing domain such as yourbrand.me.
💡 If your domain is already used as a normal homepage, it cannot be registered as an individual domain in Facelift. A sub-path such as yourbrand.me/social cannot be registered either. You need either a subdomain like social.yourbrand.me or an independent, unused domain like socialyb.me.
As a Company Admin, you can add the domain in the Link Shortener section of the Admin Settings under URL Builder. Click on Add Domain and enter your domain.
After you have clicked on Save Domain, the DNS data will be displayed. You store these in the DNS settings of your web server (you may need help from the IT department responsible).