How do branded links and custom domains work on refer.is?

Updated

On refer.is, a branded link is a short URL that uses a domain you control instead of the default refer.is domain. You connect a custom domain to your account, and the service then issues short links on that domain — for example go.acme.com or links.acme.com — while still handling the redirect and click tracking. This is aimed at affiliates, creators, and campaign marketers who want the click to look trustworthy rather than generic.

What a branded link actually is

A branded link replaces a long, messy URL with a short, memorable path on your own domain. The refer.is homepage shows the pattern directly:

Long URL Branded link
amazon.com/dp/B0C8J1QXKR/ref=sr_1_3?tag=affiliate-21 refer.is/deal

The same shortening logic applies when the domain is yours. Instead of refer.is/deal, you would get something like go.acme.com/deal. The destination, the redirect, and the click counting all stay the same — only the visible domain changes.

The homepage also lists example paths such as refer.is/launch, refer.is/summer-sale, and refer.is/newsletter, which shows the intended style: short, human-readable slugs that describe the campaign rather than the destination.

How custom domains work

  1. Add your domain in the dashboard. You point a domain or subdomain you own (for example go.acme.com) at refer.is.
  2. Verify it. The homepage shows domain states of Verified (go.acme.com, links.acme.com) and Pending (try.acme.com). A domain must reach the verified state before links on it resolve reliably.
  3. Create links on that domain. When you shorten a URL, you choose the domain, and refer.is returns a short link on it. The API example on the homepage shows this as a domain field in the request:
POST https://api.refer.is/v1/links
{
  "url": "https://example.com",
  "domain": "refer.is"
}

201 Created
refer.is/x7Kp

Swap refer.is for your verified domain and the created link comes back on your own domain.

The stated benefit is trust: "Put your links on your own domain, so people trust the click." A recognizable domain tends to read as legitimate, while an unfamiliar shortener domain can look like spam.

What you get alongside the branded link

Branded links are not just cosmetic — they feed the same analytics as any other refer.is link:

  • Click analytics — the homepage shows a monthly clicks figure (12,480, +18%) broken down by channel, e.g. Instagram 42%, Newsletter 31%.
  • Geography — clicks by country (United States 4,210, United Kingdom 2,380, Germany 1,640, India 1,120).
  • Browsers and devices — Chrome 6,890, Safari 3,120, Firefox 1,480, Edge 990.
  • QR codes — every link can generate a QR code for flyers, posters, and events.
  • Browser extension — shorten the page you are on without leaving the tab.

Because the domain is yours, the analytics still attribute clicks to your links, so you can compare campaigns and channels in one place.

Who this fits

Branded links and custom domains on refer.is suit:

  • Affiliates who want a clean link instead of a long tracking URL.
  • Creators sharing links in bios, newsletters, or video descriptions.
  • Campaign marketers running multiple channels and needing per-channel click data.

If you only need occasional short links and don't care about the domain, the default refer.is domain is enough. Custom domains matter when the link is public-facing and the domain affects whether people click.

Practical notes before you start

  • Verification is a required step, not optional. A pending domain will not behave like a verified one, so plan for DNS changes to propagate.
  • Subdomains are the common choice. The examples use go., links., and try. subdomains rather than root domains, which keeps your main site separate.
  • The API supports domain selection at creation time, so you can script link creation per campaign if you manage many links.
  • Integrations (Zapier, Make, n8n, Slack) and MCP for AI agents are marked "Coming soon" on the homepage — do not plan a workflow around them yet.
  • Pricing is not stated on the homepage beyond the free tier. The page says "1,000 tracked clicks and unlimited redirects every month, free" with "No credit card required," and links to a separate pricing page. Check that page for limits on custom domains and higher click volumes before committing.

The fastest way to judge fit: connect one subdomain, create a single branded link, and confirm it redirects and records a click. If that works end to end, the rest is scale.