What does a link checker actually test?

It sends an HTTP request to the URL and reports back the status code (200, 404, 301, etc.), response time in milliseconds, and whether the connection uses HTTPS. For redirects, it also shows where the redirect chain ends.

Why should I check links before shortening?

Shortening a broken URL buries the problem — the short link looks fine but leads to a 404. Checking the destination first means you catch broken pages, expired products, or moved content before your audience does.

Can the link checker detect phishing or malware?

Alshorty screens destination URLs against known phishing and malware databases when you shorten a link. If a URL is flagged, the short link won't be created. The standalone link checker tool also flags suspicious URLs in its result.

What's the difference between 301 and 302 redirects?

A 301 is a permanent redirect — search engines transfer link equity to the new destination. A 302 is temporary — link equity stays at the original URL. Long redirect chains (301 → 302 → 200) add latency and can confuse analytics.

Can I check multiple links at once?

The free tool checks one link at a time. Pro users can use the bulk shortening tool to process 100 URLs at once — each gets checked automatically before being shortened. API users can programmatically check URLs via the Alshorty REST API.

Does this tool store the URLs I check?

No. The link checker runs a live check and discards the result after displaying it. Only URLs you actually shorten are stored in your Alshorty account.

Free — instant results, no account needed

Free Link
Checker

Check if any URL is live, broken, or redirecting before you share or shorten it. Instant HTTP status, response time, redirect chain, and SSL check — free, no sign-up.

✅ HTTP status code✅ Response time✅ Redirect chain✅ SSL check✅ No sign-up

Every link shortened on Alshorty is automatically checked before the short link is created.

alshorty.com/go/campaign

200

example.com/old-page

Redirecting

301

example.com/deleted

Not Found

404

Response time

Measured in milliseconds

142ms

< 1s

Check speed

results in under a second

Status codes checked

200, 301, 404, 500 and more

Price forever

no sign-up, no limits

100%

Auto-checked

every link you shorten

Everything checked for free

More than just a status code

HTTP status detection

Instantly detect 200 OK, 301/302 redirects, 404 Not Found, 410 Gone, 500 Server Error, and more. Know exactly what's wrong before sharing.

Response time measurement

See how fast the destination URL responds. Slow pages hurt conversions and SEO rankings — identify them before you share.

Redirect chain detection

Spot redirect chains (301 → 302 → 200) that add latency and confuse analytics. See exactly where your URL ends up.

Safety screening

Links are cross-referenced against known phishing and malware databases before shortening on Alshorty — protecting your audience automatically.

HTTPS / SSL check

Verify that the destination uses HTTPS and isn't serving mixed content. HTTP destinations hurt both trust and SEO.

No sign-up required

Check any URL instantly, no account needed. Just paste and click. For bulk checking or API access, upgrade to Pro.

HTTP status codes explained

Know exactly what each result means — and what to do about it.

200OK

Page is live and responding correctly.

301Moved

Permanent redirect — link still works but adds a hop.

302Found

Temporary redirect — destination may change.

404Not Found

Page doesn't exist — this is a broken link.

410Gone

Page permanently removed — update or remove the link.

500Server Error

Server-side error — the destination is having issues.

403Forbidden

Access denied — blocked for external requests.

SSLSSL Error

Certificate invalid or expired — unsafe to share.

When to use the link checker

📧

Email campaigns

Verify every link before sending. One broken link in an email blast = thousands of bad impressions.

📱

Social media posts

Check links before scheduling posts. A 404 on your Instagram bio link can kill conversions for days.

📰

Blog posts & articles

Audit outbound links in published content. Broken external links hurt SEO and reader trust.

🛒

E-commerce products

Product URLs go 404 when inventory ends. Verify before running paid ads pointing to product pages.

🔗

Short links

Test your Alshorty short links before sharing to confirm the destination is live and responding fast.

🤝

Affiliate links

Affiliate programs sometimes change or expire URLs without notice. Always verify before promotion.

Built into every shortlink

Every link auto-checked when you shorten

When you shorten a URL on Alshorty, the destination is automatically screened for broken pages, phishing, and malware. If the link is unsafe or dead, the short link won't be created — protecting your audience automatically.

URL checked✓ Live (200 OK)

Response time✓ 98ms

HTTPS✓ Valid SSL

Phishing✓ Clean

Alshorty Link Checker vs others

Feature	AlshortyYou're here	Other tools
HTTP status code
Response time		⚠️ Some tools
Redirect chain display		❌ Most miss this
SSL / HTTPS check		⚠️ Paid only
Phishing / malware flag	✅ On shortening	❌ Never
Auto-check on shorten	✅ Built in	❌ Separate tool
Bulk link checking	✅ Pro (100 URLs)	💰 Paid plans
API access	✅ Pro	💰 Paid plans
No sign-up required		⚠️ Most require it
Free forever		⚠️ Freemium

Frequently asked questions

Check your links before they break things

HTTP status · Response time · Redirect chains · SSL check. Free, instant, no sign-up required.

No account · No watermark · No expiry

What is a link checker and why do you need one?

A link checker verifies whether a URL is reachable and returning a valid response. It detects broken links (404), server errors (500), redirects (301/302), and SSL issues — before your audience encounters them. Broken links in emails, ads, or social posts can kill campaigns instantly.

Why check links before shortening?

Shortening a broken URL hides the problem — the short link looks fine but leads to a dead page. Checking the destination first catches broken pages, expired products, and moved content before your audience sees them. Alshorty automatically checks every URL you shorten, refusing to create a short link if the destination is dead or unsafe.

Free LinkChecker