Does refer.is offer an API for creating and managing links?

Updated

Yes. refer.is provides a REST API that lets you create and manage short links from your own code. The documented example endpoint is POST https://api.refer.is/v1/links, and a successful request returns a created short link. This is aimed at developers who want to integrate link shortening into their own applications rather than create links by hand in the dashboard.

What the API does

According to the refer.is site, the API lets you "create and manage links from your own code." The page shows a single worked example rather than a full reference, so treat the details below as what is documented, not a complete specification.

The example request from the site:

POST https://api.refer.is/v1/links
{
  "url": "https://example.com",
  "domain": "refer.is"
}

The example response:

201 Created
refer.is/x7Kp

Reading this example:

  • Input: a JSON body with the destination url and the domain to shorten on.
  • Action: the API creates a short link.
  • Expected result: an HTTP 201 Created status and a short link (refer.is/x7Kp) that redirects to the destination.

The domain field is what connects the API to branded links and custom domains — you can pass your own verified domain instead of refer.is so the generated links carry your brand.

Who it's for

The API fits cases where links are generated programmatically rather than manually:

  • An app that creates a shareable link every time a user publishes content.
  • A marketing system that generates campaign links with a consistent branded domain.
  • A backend that needs to shorten URLs in bulk as part of a workflow.

If you only need a handful of links and QR codes, the dashboard and browser extension cover that without any code.

What to check before building on it

The site's example leaves several things unspecified, so confirm them against the docs before committing:

  • Authentication. The example shows no auth header or key. You will need to find how requests are authenticated in the docs.
  • Managing links. The page says the API can "create and manage" links, but only shows creation. Look for endpoints for updating, listing, or deleting links.
  • Rate limits and quotas. The free tier is described as "1,000 tracked clicks and unlimited redirects every month." How that maps to API call limits is not stated on the page.
  • Error responses. Only the success case (201 Created) is shown.

Related capabilities the API connects to

The API is one part of a broader toolbox, and the same account features apply to links you create through it:

  • Branded links and custom domains — links can live on your own domain, which is why the request accepts a domain field.
  • Click analytics — links are trackable, so clicks, channels, countries, and browsers can be measured.
  • QR codes — a QR code can be generated for a link.

Integrations with Zapier, Make, n8n, and Slack, plus MCP support for AI agents, are listed as "coming soon," so they are not available yet.

Getting started

  1. Create a refer.is account (the free tier covers 1,000 tracked clicks and unlimited redirects per month, with no credit card required).
  2. Open the API docs from the site to get the current endpoint details and authentication method.
  3. Send a test POST to https://api.refer.is/v1/links with your url and domain, and confirm you get a 201 Created and a working short link.
  4. If you plan to use a custom domain, verify it first so links resolve correctly.

The main gap to close before building is authentication — the public example does not show it, so the docs are the place to confirm exactly how your requests are authorized.