> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.autocampaign.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Text links (short links)

> Create trackable short links and understand automatic link tracking in SMS campaigns.

## Overview

Short links turn a long web address into a short link you can track. Autocampaign AI
counts clicks (total and unique) and shows device and time breakdowns. Manage them
on the **Links** page (`/links`) under the **Short Links** tab.

<Info>
  **Time to complete:** \~3 minutes  ·  **Difficulty:** Beginner
</Info>

## Create a short link

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Short Links tab">
    Go to **Links → Short Links** and click **New short link**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the details">
    | Field               | Required | Notes                                                                                      |
    | ------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
    | **Destination URL** | Yes      | The web address to shorten, starting with `http://` or `https://` (up to 2,048 characters) |
    | **Label**           | No       | An internal name, e.g. "Spring promo"                                                      |
    | **Expiry**          | No       | Optional expiry date/time — leave empty for a link that never expires                      |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Autocampaign AI generates a short code automatically. Your short URL looks like
    `https://<your-domain>/r/<code>`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  There's no custom-slug field — the short code is generated for you using only
  letters and numbers that are hard to mix up. Every short link is tracked
  automatically; there's no on/off toggle.
</Note>

## See clicks and get a QR code

Open a short link (`/short-links/:id`) for three tabs:

* **Overview** — Total Clicks and Unique Clicks, a clicks-over-time chart, and a
  device breakdown (mobile/desktop/tablet).
* **QR Code** — a downloadable QR code (a square barcode people scan with their
  phone camera) that points at the link, with scan stats.
* **Settings** — edit the label and expiry.

## How links are tracked in text campaigns

You don't need to shorten links by hand for campaigns. When you write an **SMS
campaign**, Autocampaign AI detects web addresses in your message and can track
them. Each becomes a **unique short URL per recipient**, so the campaign's results
show which contact clicked.

<Note>
  Email campaigns handle click tracking through the email provider, so this
  automatic SMS shortening doesn't apply to email. Campaign-generated short links
  don't appear in the Short Links tab — their clicks roll up into
  [campaign analytics](/analytics/campaign-analytics).
</Note>

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I choose my own short code (the part after /r/)?">
    No — codes are generated automatically so no two links clash and no characters
    can be mixed up.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What's the difference between a short link and campaign link tracking?">
    A **short link** is a standalone link you create and share anywhere. **Campaign
    link tracking** automatically shortens web addresses inside an SMS campaign,
    one per recipient, so you can see who clicked.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can a short link expire?">
    Yes — set an **Expiry**. After it passes, the link shows as **Expired** and stops
    redirecting.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why does my link show 'Expired'?">
    Its expiry date has passed. Edit the link in the **Settings** tab to extend or
    remove the expiry.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why aren't clicks being counted?">
    Clicks are recorded in the background and never slow down or block the
    visitor's redirect. Give it a moment, and confirm you're viewing the right time
    range on the Overview tab.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Card title="Grow your list" icon="link-simple" href="/campaigns/join-links">
  Capture opt-ins with join links.
</Card>