A vanity URL is a short, human-readable web address you choose on purpose — like lynkily.com/summer-sale instead of a random string. It's the difference between a link people remember and one they ignore. Here's the full picture.
Vanity URL vs a normal short link
A normal short link uses a random code (/aB3xY). A vanity URL uses a custom name you pick (/summer-sale). Same redirect, but far more memorable and trustworthy — which lifts click-through.
Why vanity URLs work
- Memorable: people can read, recall and even type them.
- Trustworthy: a descriptive link looks less like spam.
- Brandable: add your own domain for
go.yourbrand.com/sale. - Better for print & voice: easy to say on a podcast or put on a flyer.
How to create a vanity URL (free)
- Open the link creator and paste your destination.
- Set a custom name (keep it short, lowercase, hyphenated).
- Share the vanity link — and its auto-generated QR code.
Want the link on your own domain? Branded links with a custom domain are available on the Growth plan.
Vanity URL best practices
- Match the name to the destination or campaign.
- Keep it consistent so your links look like a family.
- Use one per campaign so your analytics read cleanly.
New to shortening in general? Read how to shorten a URL.