Custom URL Shortener: How to Create Your Own in 2026

What is a custom URL shortener?

A custom URL shortener uses your own domain for short links. Instead of alshorty.com/offer, you get go.yourbrand.com/offer. Every link reinforces your brand name, and your analytics live under your domain.

Why use a custom domain for short links?

• Brand recognition: Every link reinforces your brand name
• Trust: Recipients know the link is from you, not a random shortener
• Email deliverability: Links on your own domain are less likely to trigger spam filters than generic shortener domains
• Continuity: If you ever switch shortener providers, you keep your links by pointing your domain to the new provider

Option 1: Use a shortener that supports custom domains

The easiest path. Services like Short.io, Rebrandly, and others let you point your own domain (or subdomain) to their service. Your links are created in their dashboard but use your domain.

Setup: Add a CNAME record pointing your subdomain (e.g. go.yourbrand.com) to the shortener's servers. Typically takes 5 minutes.

Option 2: Self-host with YOURLS

YOURLS (Your Own URL Shortener) is a free, open-source PHP script you install on your own web server. Complete control over data, no monthly fees.

Requirements: PHP hosting, MySQL database, a domain. Technical knowledge required.

Best for: Developers or businesses with existing infrastructure who want zero ongoing costs.

Option 3: Deploy on Cloudflare Workers

For developers comfortable with Cloudflare, you can deploy a link shortener directly as a Cloudflare Worker with a custom domain. Links are stored in Cloudflare KV. Global edge performance with essentially zero cost at most traffic levels.

Alshorty itself runs on this architecture — and you can see the performance benefits first-hand.

Choosing the right subdomain

Common conventions for link shortener subdomains:

• go.yourbrand.com — Most common, clean
• l.yourbrand.com — Very short
• link.yourbrand.com — Clear intent
• yourbrand.co — A separate short domain