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LinkDirect resources

Everything you need to run cleaner smart-link traffic.

Use this product guide to understand LinkDirect setup, smart links, smart QR codes, browser handoffs, domains, site scripts, analytics, limits, billing, and day-to-day account management.

15 practical topicsProduct documentation
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Open table of contents

01

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LinkDirect overview

LinkDirect is an intelligent URL shortener and browser-aware routing layer built for social traffic. Instead of only shortening an address, it checks the environment in which the click opened and selects the best available handoff. This gives visitors a clearer path to the browser they normally use for logins, purchases, bookings, and return visits.

It detects the traffic environment before opening the original destination.
Destination URLs, affiliate IDs, UTMs, and campaign parameters remain attached.

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Quick start

Create an account, choose a plan, and publish your first smart link in a few steps. You only need a valid destination URL; LinkDirect prepares the short link, preview metadata, and routing flow. Test the finished link inside the exact social application and device your audience will use before launching the campaign.

Paste a valid HTTP or HTTPS destination and let LinkDirect fetch Open Graph data once.
Copy the generated short URL and test it inside the social app you plan to use.

04

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Smart QR codes

A LinkDirect QR code contains a smart short link rather than locking the final destination directly into the graphic. Every scan follows the same routing and analytics flow as a smart link, while the QR image remains stable for printed materials, packaging, displays, menus, events, and digital campaigns. After publishing, you can update the destination without generating or printing a new code.

Create codes for URLs, Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube, Spotify, email, WhatsApp, phone calls, and SMS.
Preview every code in the workspace and download it as PNG for everyday use or SVG for scalable print.
QR scans are identified as QR-code traffic in Click Flow and contribute to the smart-link and qualified-click usage of the active plan.
The monthly number of QR codes depends on the plan; pausing or editing the destination does not change the downloaded QR graphic.

05

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Destination URLs and UTMs

LinkDirect keeps the destination path and query string intact throughout the handoff. Affiliate identifiers, tracking parameters, and deep destination paths travel with the visitor instead of being replaced by the short URL. Advanced UTM fields help you add consistent campaign labels without manually rebuilding the destination address.

Use advanced UTM fields to append campaign parameters when creating or editing a link.
Changing the destination later does not remove the link’s existing statistics.

06

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Browser handoff

The transition screen selects the best available flow for the detected browser environment. On supported platforms, LinkDirect attempts to move the visit from the in-app browser into Safari, Chrome, or the device’s default browser. When automatic opening is unavailable, the visitor receives a clear fallback instead of being left on a broken or confusing page.

Supported environments can attempt to continue in Safari, Chrome, or the device browser.
Visitors can still continue in the app when the platform or user blocks the external opening.

07

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TikTok and Messenger guided open

Restricted TikTok and Messenger iOS environments receive a localized manual-open guide. The screen visually points to the application menu and tells the visitor exactly which option opens the destination outside the in-app browser. This keeps the flow understandable even when the social platform blocks automatic browser launching.

An arrow points to the app menu and explains which browser-opening option to choose.
The visitor continues directly to the destination after opening it in the external browser.

08

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System subdomains

A system subdomain is a branded address under linkdr.in, such as brand.linkdr.in. It gives campaigns a cleaner, more recognizable short-link identity without requiring the customer to manage SSL certificates or external-domain provisioning. LinkDirect operates the underlying DNS and routing infrastructure for you.

It is managed by LinkDirect and does not require the customer to configure Cloudflare SaaS.
The number available depends on the active plan or an administrator override.

09

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External domains

Approved plans can connect a customer-owned domain or subdomain for fully branded links. LinkDirect provides the exact DNS value, monitors the connection, and displays DNS and SSL readiness in the workspace. This lets the audience see your own brand while the redirect and analytics continue to run through LinkDirect.

The customer adds the exact CNAME record shown in Domains and then verifies DNS and SSL.
Removing the domain stops its links from resolving but preserves historical link statistics.

10

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Site scripts

A lightweight loader can protect supported in-app visits arriving directly on your website, even when the visitor did not use a smart link. The script detects supported in-app traffic and starts the LinkDirect transition flow before the visitor continues deeper into the site. This is useful for websites receiving social traffic across many landing pages or content URLs.

Each script is restricted to its configured hostname and can be paused or removed.
The public snippet stays small while the main routing logic remains on LinkDirect.

11

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Analytics

Dashboard and Analytics combine smart-link and site-script traffic with selectable date ranges. Use the traffic-type filter to compare both sources together or isolate one implementation. The resulting view helps you understand where visitors came from, which devices they used, and how often the handoff produced the intended browser outcome.

Filter by traffic type and review sources, devices, operating systems, countries, and outcomes.
Dates and times are displayed in the timezone selected in account settings.

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Live click flow

Click Flow shows individual recorded visits in chronological groups instead of only aggregated totals. Open a row to inspect the technical context and final routing outcome for a specific click. This is especially useful when testing a campaign, investigating unexpected traffic, or comparing how different applications handle the same link.

Rows include traffic type, source, link, device, system, country, time, and routing outcome.
Recognized bots, crawlers, previews, and health checks are excluded from customer click totals.

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Plans and limits

Plans can limit active links, qualified monthly clicks, domains, scripts, and analytics retention. The usage view shows how much of each allowance has been consumed so you can upgrade before campaigns are interrupted. Limits protect platform capacity while allowing larger workspaces to scale predictably with their traffic.

At 80% of the monthly click limit, LinkDirect sends a usage warning email.
When the limit is exhausted, affected links stop redirecting until the allowance resets or the plan changes.

14

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Billing and account

Stripe handles monthly or yearly subscriptions, payment methods, invoices, upgrades, and cancellations. The Billing area shows the active plan, renewal details, payment method, usage, and transaction history in one place. Account settings let each user adapt the workspace timezone, default domain, password, and communication preferences.

Billing shows subscription dates, payment method, transaction history, and available plan changes.
Settings control password, timezone, default short domain, and notification preferences.

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Security, abuse, and support

LinkDirect uses protected sessions, password hashing, Turnstile, bot filtering, and administrative controls to reduce unauthorized access and automated abuse. Suspicious destinations or accounts can be blocked without affecting unrelated customers. When you need help, the built-in ticket system keeps the full conversation and status connected to your workspace.

Blocked destinations and abusive links can be disabled by the administrator.
Use Support inside the workspace for tickets, replies, statuses, and setup assistance.

Ready to create your first smart link?

Start with the default LinkDirect domain, add your destination, and test the complete handoff before sharing your campaign.

Create an accountSee pricing