How Does a URL Shortener Work?

What is a URL shortener?

A URL shortener is a tool that takes a long web address and converts it into a much shorter link that redirects to the same destination. For example:

https://www.example.com/blog/posts/2026/the-complete-guide-to-url-shortening-and-link-management
↓
shrtn.co.uk/aB3xK

Both links take you to exactly the same page. The short version is easier to copy, remember, type, and share — especially on social media, in print, or via SMS where character limits apply.

How Shrtn shortens a link

1. You paste your URL.

   Copy any web address — a product page, article, Google Maps location, YouTube video, or any other URL — and paste it into the box on the Shrtn homepage.

2. We validate and safety-check it.

   Shrtn confirms the URL is a real, properly-formed web address. We also run it through Google Safe Browsing to check it is not a known malware or phishing site. If the URL fails either check, we block it before a short link is created.

3. We generate a unique short code.

   Shrtn picks a random 5-character code from an unambiguous character set (no 0, O, 1, l, I to avoid confusion). We check it has never been used before. Your short link is shrtn.co.uk/[code].

4. You copy the link and share it.

   Click Copy and your link is on the clipboard. You also get a QR code generated automatically — right-click to save it as an image.

5. When someone clicks your link, we redirect them.

   Shrtn looks up the short code in our database, records the click (device type, referrer — no personally identifiable data stored), and issues a fast 302 redirect to your original URL. The whole process takes milliseconds.

Short code vs memorable words

Shrtn lets you choose how your link looks:

• Short code — a compact 5-character random code like shrtn.co.uk/k7mXp. Best for sharing digitally where people click rather than type.
• Memorable words — a two-word phrase like shrtn.co.uk/brave-tiger. Easier to read aloud, dictate, or type from memory.

If you have a free account you can also set a fully custom alias — for example shrtn.co.uk/summer-sale or shrtn.co.uk/my-cv.

Link expiry options

You choose how long your short link stays active:

Option	Good for
1 month (default)	Promotional campaigns, temporary offers
3 months	Seasonal campaigns, event links
1 year	Long-running content, evergreen articles
Never	Permanent links, QR codes on print materials

When a link expires, visitors see a friendly 410 Gone page instead of being redirected. You can see expiry dates in your dashboard.

What are the click analytics?

Every short link gets a stats page at shrtn.co.uk/[code]/stats. You can see:

• Total click count over time
• Breakdown by device type (desktop, mobile, tablet)
• Referrer sources (where clicks came from)
• Click activity chart by day

We do not store IP addresses or any personally identifiable information about the people who click your links. We only store a one-way hash of the IP for deduplication, which is GDPR-compliant.

What is a QR code and how does it work?

A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that any smartphone camera can scan. When someone scans your Shrtn QR code, their phone opens your short link directly — no typing needed. This makes QR codes perfect for:

• Business cards and flyers
• Product packaging
• Restaurant menus and posters
• Event stands and exhibition displays
• Printed adverts and direct mail

Shrtn generates a QR code automatically for every short link. Right-click the QR image to save it as a PNG.

Is Shrtn free?

Yes. The core URL shortener is completely free — no account required, no usage caps on shortening, no credit card. You get:

• Unlimited link shortening
• QR code generation for every link
• Basic click count on every link stats page
• Short code and memorable words modes
• Flexible expiry options

Creating a free account adds link history, custom aliases, and detailed analytics.

How is Shrtn different from Bitly or TinyURL?

Shrtn is a UK-based URL shortener with a .co.uk domain — which carries more trust and recognisability in UK markets than generic US-based services. Key differences:

• No login required for basic use (Bitly requires an account)
• Links are actually short — shrtn.co.uk is only 10 characters including the domain
• UK-specific domain signals local credibility
• Simple, fast, no bloat or dark patterns
• GDPR-compliant analytics by design